Which grades do boarding schools cover? 44% are grades 9–12 only, and 29% start in grades 6–8
The NCES Private School Universe Survey (PSS 2023-24) reports each school's lowest and highest grade. We grouped the 232 boarding schools in the USAnaru™ directory that have them. As of 2026-10-12.
| Grade range | Schools | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 9–12 only | 103 | 44% |
| Starts in grade 6, 7 or 8 (to grade 12) | 68 | 29% |
| Starts at kindergarten or earlier (to grade 12) | 48 | 21% |
| Another range | 13 | 6% |
Why it matters
- Age at entry. Boarding at 9th grade is the most common, but a student who is 11 to 13 needs a school that starts in grades 6 to 8 or earlier.
- Boarding grades can differ. A school may teach younger day students but board only older ones. Ask for the lowest boarding grade and the dorm rules for younger students.
- Younger students usually need more support. Ask about supervision, guardian rules and holidays; see where students stay during breaks.
Browse the school list and read how big boarding schools are. Figures are school-reported; how USAnaru™ labels data.
Cite this article as: USAnaru™ — https://usanaru.com/news/which-grades-do-boarding-schools-cover
Questions
Can a middle school student attend boarding school?
Yes, at the 68 schools that start in grades 6 to 8 and at schools that start earlier. Many boarding schools begin in 9th grade, so check each school's lowest boarding grade, which can differ from its lowest day grade.
Are all boarding schools 9–12?
No. In USAnaru™ data only 44% (103 of 232) serve grades 9–12 only. The rest start earlier or have another structure.
Related documents
Sources
- Private School Universe Survey (PSS) — U.S. Department of Education, NCES
- How USAnaru™ collects and labels school data — USAnaru™
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.
