Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 18:56     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:

Someone above mentioned Mercersburg. That’s an easy day trip from here. I don’t know much about the school but don’t think it’s a very competitive admit.

---

Mercersburg has become exceptionally competitive over the last decade, it currently ranks #1 in PA and #26 nationally. Last reported admit rates were in the 20% range. It has one of the largest endowments for private boarding schools ( I think in the top 10), and on a per-student basis it is close to 1M per student.

The school setting is simply stunning, the school has the reputation for placing students not only at some of the best colleges and universities in the world, but takes unique approach to finding the best-fit for each of its students as they head off to college.

Full disclosure, I have two kids there and we couldn't be happier with who they are and how they are thriving.


+1

With their expanded endowment they offer great FA, which brings them a very talented applicant pool. I know of one family whose daughter did not love freshman year at Andover, transferred to Mercersburg, and subsequently sent all three children there. They loved it.

—HADES parent with great respect for Meecersburg
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 14:49     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:

Someone above mentioned Mercersburg. That’s an easy day trip from here. I don’t know much about the school but don’t think it’s a very competitive admit.

---

Mercersburg has become exceptionally competitive over the last decade, it currently ranks #1 in PA and #26 nationally. Last reported admit rates were in the 20% range. It has one of the largest endowments for private boarding schools ( I think in the top 10), and on a per-student basis it is close to 1M per student.

The school setting is simply stunning, the school has the reputation for placing students not only at some of the best colleges and universities in the world, but takes unique approach to finding the best-fit for each of its students as they head off to college.

Full disclosure, I have two kids there and we couldn't be happier with who they are and how they are thriving.


The only UMC kid I ever met who regularly did hard drugs had gotten into them at Mercersburg in the '90s. From their stories, it was pervasive there. Their parents pulled them out and sent them elsewhere but the habits followed them for years. Very glad to hear the school seems to be on an upward trajectory.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 14:26     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area


Someone above mentioned Mercersburg. That’s an easy day trip from here. I don’t know much about the school but don’t think it’s a very competitive admit.

---

Mercersburg has become exceptionally competitive over the last decade, it currently ranks #1 in PA and #26 nationally. Last reported admit rates were in the 20% range. It has one of the largest endowments for private boarding schools ( I think in the top 10), and on a per-student basis it is close to 1M per student.

The school setting is simply stunning, the school has the reputation for placing students not only at some of the best colleges and universities in the world, but takes unique approach to finding the best-fit for each of its students as they head off to college.

Full disclosure, I have two kids there and we couldn't be happier with who they are and how they are thriving.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 14:23     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:Just curious. If rich people had to choose (as you can see this is a hypothetical) would you choose education or a WW3 bunker?

Education. A bunker won’t do you any good.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 07:25     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:Just curious. If rich people had to choose (as you can see this is a hypothetical) would you choose education or a WW3 bunker?


Both, we don’t have to choose. We do both.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 02:49     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Just curious. If rich people had to choose (as you can see this is a hypothetical) would you choose education or a WW3 bunker?
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 02:34     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Blue Ridge school is in Albemarle County adjacent to the Blue Ridge mountains near Charlottesville. All boys. All boarding, but in practice some kids have 7-day boarding while a few kids who are local have 5-day boarding (go home Friday afternoon and return Sunday afternoon). It is Episcopal, but not pushy or evangelical. Small class sizes. Good facilities. Good academics. Usually has a handful of kids who are from overseas. Kids are well prepared for college.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 11:18     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Strongly recommend looking at mercersberg. While I believe in SS schools - all 3 of my kids did them - I think boarding is a little different. I’d be worried about hazing going on in SS boarding.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 10:47     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:We want to look into the possibility of boarding school for our son.

We would prefer all boys but open to coed also. We want to limit the search to somewhere driveable so maybe no more than 3 hours from DC. DS is above average, happy, social, independent kid. He does best being around a structured schedule. We are looking for 9th so high school but open to starting earlier in 8th if there is a 6-12th school.

I would love to get some recommendations of schools you know or if you have a child currently at a boarding school close to this area and what their experiences have been like. TIA.



Woodberry alum here. While I don't have the same level of connection to the school as many other classmates and alums (I came from out west back when the student body was more homogenous than it is today, and was something of a square peg in a round hole), it was the right place for me to go, and the education is top notch. College was a breeze by comparison, and I went to a top ~50 university. The facilities are outstanding, the extracurriculars are strong (athletics, drama, art, music), and the community is vibrant. The school has about 400 boys, all of whom board (including faculty sons - faculty daughters can attend the school but live at home), and per the headmaster they want all of their students to be known, challenged, and loved. The headmaster is both an alum who went there on financial aid and a former faculty member before he got into school administration, so he has experienced the school from every vantage point. It's definitely the best all-boys boarding school in the immediate area (St. Alban's and Georgetown Prep have boarders but are mostly day students, Blue Ridge is both significantly smaller and not as strong academically, and the others I know of are military academies - Fork Union and Hargrave).
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 00:52     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Episcopal in Alexandria?

Co-ed
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 00:23     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
If you’d like to know about The George School, head over to the boarding school forum on College Confidential. Post a question about George. A parent with the name gardenstategal will chime in. She is experienced and thoughtful and I have no doubt she is an education insider. Great resource!

You can also search hundreds of threads about all of the school mentioned in this thread.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2026 20:33     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Might be slightly too far but in central NJ there is: Lawrenceville, Hun, and the Pennington School. All very different, with Lawrenceville being the most rigorous and hard to get into. They are all about a 3-3.5 hour drive. Amtrak plus uber also possible.


Can you expand of the differences between the 3 schools?


I can’t really speak to the current vibe since I went to Lawrenceville decades ago. But my understanding is Lawrenceville is still the hardest to get into and the most challenging academically. Hun was easier to get into and still is (considered a backup to Lawrenceville). I know very little about the school otherwise. Pennington had a reputation back then as being good for kids with learning disabilities despite not solely being focused on that, not sure if that’s the case now. All three are within about 10 miles of each other. George School is also close by. At the time had a reputation for being a bit more artsy and laid back among the schools in the area.

Someone above mentioned Mercersburg. That’s an easy day trip from here. I don’t know much about the school but don’t think it’s a very competitive admit.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2026 20:29     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Hill School in PA
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2026 20:15     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:Might be slightly too far but in central NJ there is: Lawrenceville, Hun, and the Pennington School. All very different, with Lawrenceville being the most rigorous and hard to get into. They are all about a 3-3.5 hour drive. Amtrak plus uber also possible.


Can you expand of the differences between the 3 schools?
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2026 19:33     Subject: Boarding School in MidAtlantic area
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Tell us about your kid OP. Recs could vary depending on your account.


OP here. Thanks all for recommendations.

DS currently is in charter in DC. We are considering private for the small class size and the teachers know and can help kids more. Also less screens and no chromebook. DS is strongest in math and science, weaker in writing and privates do better with that. He is not the most motivated kid and would do bettp in a more academic focused peer group and environment where there is more structure, study hours, etc…Looking for a school that focuses on academics but not a pressure cooker. We also would like him to be active so like the sports component and kids can do different things.o

He is social and very independent. No problem taking metro by himself starting in 6th. Loves sleepaway camp and would do it all summer if he could.

FIL did boarding and said it was life changing and had an amazing experience. DH also did boarding and had a good experience too. I grew up poor and no one in my family did any of it. We want to be able to visit on weekends, go to some events, and why looking no more than 3 hours away. We can push that a little and look into the NJ schools also.

I’m hoping to get a list and then start visiting schools to narrow it down. I’m a planner so starting this process early.


You didn't say that boarding school is something that HE wants to. That's troubling.


Oh good grief. Do you find it "problematic"?


Yea, that too.