#1 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Maharishi School
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fairfield, IA
A+Overall grade125 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the Midwest. Top 11 of 11 schools.
#2 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
St. Lawrence Seminary High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only Catholic school in Mount Calvary
Mount Calvary, WI
A+Overall gradeAll boys136 students7 students per teacher
#3 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Lake Forest Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The largest independent school in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL
A+Overall grade446 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls120 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Western Reserve Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Hudson
Hudson, OH
A+Overall grade439 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Thomas Jefferson School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade74 students4 students per teacher
#7 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Missouri Military Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Mexico, MO
A+Overall gradeAll boys182 students6 students per teacher
#8 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Interlochen Arts Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Michigan
Interlochen, MI
AOverall grade567 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Wayland Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam, WI
AOverall grade192 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
St. Edward Catholic Preparatory Academy
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Elgin, IL
A-Overall grade90 students5 students per teacher
#11 Best Boarding Schools in the Midwest
Chaminade College Preparatory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
96% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saint Louis, MO
B+Overall gradeAll boys872 students10 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.