#1 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Independent Catholic school · Grades 5–12
The only all-girls school in Bellevue
Bellevue, WA
A+Overall gradeAll girls245 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Boarding Schools in the West
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the West. Top 32 of 32 schools.
#2 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in La Canada Flintridge
La Canada Flintridge, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls382 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Kamuela
Kamuela, HI
A+Overall grade576 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Idyllwild, CA
A+Overall grade265 students4 students per teacher
#5 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
A+Overall grade233 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Annie Wright Schools
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Christian school in Tacoma
Tacoma, WA
A+Overall grade748 students10 students per teacher
#7 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Santa Catalina School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Monterey, CA
A+Overall grade421 students9 students per teacher
#8 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Pilgrim School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade342 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Cate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Carpinteria, CA
A+Overall grade306 students6 students per teacher
#10 Best Boarding Schools in the West
The Northwest School of the Arts
Independent school · Grades 6–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Seattle, WA
A+Overall grade429 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Boarding Schools in the West
The Webb Schools
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Claremont, CA
A+Overall grade404 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Iolani School
Episcopal school · Grades K–12
The largest of 39 Christian schools in Hawaii
Honolulu, HI
A+Overall grade2,203 students10 students per teacher
#13 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Woodside Priory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Portola Valley, CA
A+Overall grade427 students10 students per teacher
#14 Best Boarding Schools in the West
The Athenian School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Danville
Danville, CA
A+Overall grade537 students8 students per teacher
#15 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Verde Valley School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Sedona, AZ
A+Overall grade123 students7 students per teacher
#16 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Dunn School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The largest independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
A+Overall grade218 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Oaks Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 4–12
The only Christian school in Westlake Village
Westlake Village, CA
A+Overall grade1,663 students11 students per teacher
#18 Best Boarding Schools in the West
San Domenico School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in San Anselmo
San Anselmo, CA
A+Overall grade679 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Ojai Valley School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Ojai
Ojai, CA
A+Overall grade305 students6 students per teacher
#20 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Sugar Bowl Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Norden, CA
AOverall grade78 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Ojai
Ojai, CA
AOverall grade77 students4 students per teacher
#22 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Midland School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
AOverall grade79 students4 students per teacher
#23 Best Boarding Schools in the West
The Thacher School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Ojai, CA
A-Overall grade252 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Boarding Schools in the West
Sun Valley Community School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Sun Valley, ID
B+Overall grade391 students7 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.