How old are U.S. boarding schools? 13 were founded before 1800, and the median is 1899
We looked at the founding year of the 197 boarding schools in the USAnaru™ directory that list one (taken from each school's website or Wikidata). As of 2026-10-12.
| Founded | Schools | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1800 | 13 | 7% |
| 1800s | 86 | 44% |
| 1900s | 94 | 48% |
| 2000 or later | 4 | 2% |
The median founding year is 1899.
The five oldest in our data
| Year | School | State | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1744 | West Nottingham Academy | MD | school website |
| 1746 | Linden Hall | PA | Wikidata |
| 1763 | The Governors Academy | MA | Wikidata |
| 1772 | Salem Academy | NC | Wikidata |
| 1778 | Phillips Academy | MA | school website |
Reading this
- History is not a rating. A founding year is a fact about tradition. Use the school list to compare size, cost and results.
- Dates can differ. Schools sometimes count from a predecessor or a merger; check the school's own history page.
- Most schools are 100+ years old. About 99% of the 197 were founded before 2000. See also where U.S. boarding schools are.
Founding years come from school websites and Wikidata; how USAnaru™ labels data.
Cite this article as: USAnaru™ — https://usanaru.com/news/oldest-boarding-schools-founded-before-1800
Schools in this article
- Linden Hall · Lititz, PA F-1 · I-20
- Phillips Academy · Andover, MA F-1 · I-20
- Salem Academy · Winston Salem, NC F-1 · I-20
- The Governors Academy · Byfield, MA F-1 · I-20
- West Nottingham Academy · Colora, MD F-1 · I-20
Questions
Which is the oldest U.S. boarding school?
In USAnaru™ data, the oldest listed is West Nottingham Academy (Maryland), founded in 1744, followed by Linden Hall (Pennsylvania, 1746), The Governors Academy (Massachusetts, 1763), Salem Academy (North Carolina, 1772) and Phillips Academy (Massachusetts, 1778).
Does an older school mean a better school?
No. Age tells you about history and tradition, not about teaching quality or fit. Compare schools on the facts that matter to you.
Sources
- How USAnaru™ collects and labels school data — USAnaru™
- Founding years as listed by schools and Wikidata — Each school's website and Wikidata
General information as of Oct 12, 2026, not legal, immigration or admissions advice. Each school, the U.S. Department of State and SEVP decide; check the school's own pages and official sources before you act.
