Aralia Empowers Students from Texas
The second-largest state in the U.S. by both area and population, Texas is a vibrant and diverse hub located in the south-central part of the country. Known for its rich history, unique culture that blends Southern, Southwestern, and Mexican influences, and booming economy, Texas offers a dynamic environment for students. Moreover, the state’s commitment to educational excellence, coupled with its friendly atmosphere and range of cultural and recreational activities, makes it an attractive option for students seeking a well-rounded high school experience.
What Makes Texas Boarding High Schools Unique?
Like California and New York, Texas consistently ranks among the top states hosting international students in the U.S., with nearly 90,000 foreign students enrolled in the 2023/24 academic year, according to an Open Doors report. This strong international presence is a testament to Texas’s unique advantages, especially within its boarding high school system.
Here’s what makes Texas boarding high schools a truly distinctive and beneficial choice for students:
- Diverse Offerings: One of the most striking features of Texas boarding schools is their incredible variety. Whether a student dreams of a highly structured environment like a military academy, wishes to hone their creative talents at an arts-focused institution, or wants a traditional college preparatory experience with a strong academic focus, Texas has a school to match. This diverse landscape ensures that students can find an environment that perfectly aligns with their learning style, personal interests, and future aspirations.
- Cultural Immersion: Attending a boarding school in Texas offers a unique opportunity for cultural immersion. Students will experience the distinctive Texan culture, with its rich history, warm hospitality, and a welcoming environment that makes it easier for newcomers to adapt. This exposure to a different way of life, combined with a diverse student body, fosters a broader worldview and enhances cross-cultural understanding.
- Pathway to Higher Education in Texas: For students considering a future in the Lone Star State, Texas boarding high schools can provide a significant advantage. Completing high school in Texas may open doors to potential in-state tuition eligibility for students after they meet residency requirements, making higher education more accessible and affordable. Furthermore, many Texas boarding schools have strong, established connections to the state’s numerous reputable universities, providing a smoother transition and more straightforward pathway to higher education within Texas.
- Strong Economy and Job Market: Texas boasts a robust and growing economy, with economic hubs like Houston, Dallas, and Austin driving innovation and job growth across various sectors, including technology, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. This proximity to thriving industries offers future opportunities for graduates, whether they choose to pursue higher education in Texas or enter the workforce directly after graduation. The dynamic economic landscape means more potential internships, career pathways, and a bright future for those who establish roots in the state.
Niche Ranking for Top Boarding High Schools in Texas
According to Niche, the top nine boarding high schools in Texas for 2025, ranked in order, are:
- The Village School
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
- TMI Episcopal
- The Brook Hill School
- San Marcos Academy
- Presbyterian Pan American School
- Chinquapin Preparatory School
- North Central Texas Academy
- Marine Military Academy
Niche’s rankings for boarding high schools don’t just consider academics, but also dive deeply into what student life is really like. The ranking’s comprehensive view is thanks to feedback gathered directly from current students and parents through their reviews.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these unique boarding high schools in Texas.
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-12 (boarding available for grades 6-12)
International Student Representation: Over 80 nationalities
Tuition: $73,640/year (5-day boarding), $90,175/year (7-day boarding)
Established in 1966, The Village School is a member of the Nord Anglia Education Network, a leading international private school organization dedicated to fostering lifelong learners and global citizens. This commitment is evident in its mission to develop students who think critically, collaborate effectively, and give generously. The Village School’s location in Houston, one of America’s largest and most dynamic cities, provides a vibrant backdrop for a truly international education.
Unique academic features of The Village School include:
- Rigorous STEAM-Focused Curriculum: Emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.
- IB World School (since 2010): Students have the option to pursue the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or individual IB Certificates, offering a globally recognized and highly respected qualification.
- Specialized Diplomas: In addition to a traditional American High School Diploma (“The Village Track”), the school offers a Pre-Medical Science Diploma and an Entrepreneurship Diploma, enabling students to specialize their studies and gain a head start in their chosen fields.
- Unique Partnerships: Collaborations with world-leading institutions provide unparalleled learning experiences.
- NASA and MIT (for STEAM): Cutting-edge opportunities in science and technology.
- Juilliard (for the arts): Enhance artistic development and performance.
- CERN (for student tours/internships): Offers exposure to groundbreaking research in particle physics.
- UNICEF: Fosters a sense of global responsibility and engagement.
The Village School boasts impressive academic outcomes, including a 100% IB Diploma pass rate in 2022. Graduates are consistently accepted into highly competitive U.S. colleges such as Harvard, Brown, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, as well as prestigious international universities.
Website: https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/village-houston
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding available for grades 8-12)
International Student Ratio: Approximately 14% (representing over 20 countries)
Tuition:
- $78,650/year (grades 9-12 boarding)
- $77,000/year (8th grade boarding)
- $82,050/year (international boarding students)
Founded in 1950, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is a distinguished coeducational Episcopal boarding and day school. Its core mission is to cultivate a rigorous intellectual environment while offering balanced programs encompassing academics, athletics, and the arts. St. Stephen’s fosters a vibrant student life with over 50 clubs and organizations and instills values of discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork through its competitive sports programs. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of 17, students benefit from personalized attention and a close-knit learning community.
Unique aspects of education at St. Stephen’s include:
- Liberal Arts Education: St. Stephen’s provides a strong foundation in the classic liberal arts, with a comprehensive curriculum that includes English, history, mathematics, science, world languages, theology, and a diverse range of electives in visual arts, performing arts, and computer science. This broad approach encourages critical thinking and a well-rounded intellect.
- Outdoor Education through Devil’s Canyon Adventure Program: This unique program offers hands-on learning through exciting outdoor adventures. Students can participate in activities such as caving, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and exploring the natural environment, fostering resilience, teamwork, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School consistently achieves high success in college matriculation. Its graduates are accepted into some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Rice, Cornell, Vanderbilt, and Washington University in St. Louis.
Website: https://www.sstx.org/
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding available for grades 8-12)
International Student Ratio: Approximately 10.8%
Tuition:
- $57,410/year (5-day boarding)
- $62,960/year (7-day boarding)
Founded in 1893, TMI Episcopal, formerly known as Texas Military Institute, is a coeducational Episcopal college preparatory school rooted in a rich military tradition. Located in San Antonio, on the edge of the scenic Texas Hill Country region, TMI offers a complete college-preparatory program. While maintaining its proud heritage, the school has evolved to offer an optional JROTC program, presenting a unique opportunity for students interested in developing exceptional leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility. This unique curriculum allows students to choose between a structured leadership pathway or a more traditional academic route. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 15, TMI fosters a close-knit community where students receive significant individual attention. The school is dedicated to developing students’ full potential in service and leadership, guided by values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
TMI Episcopal boasts a 100% college acceptance rate, with noteworthy college admissions for recent classes including Harvard, Brown, Yale, Stanford, Rice, Cornell, and Washington University in St. Louis, among many others.
Website: https://www.tmi-sa.org/
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-12 (boarding available for grades 8-12)
International Student Ratio: Approximately 15% (representing over 25 countries)
Tuition: $56,995/year (boarding for grades 8-12)
Established in 1997, The Brook Hill School is a coeducational Christian college preparatory school that truly lives up to its slogan: “Christ-Centered, College Prep.” This mission is reflected in its commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and robust biblical worldview. Situated on a beautiful 250-acre campus in Bullard, Texas, the school provides a nurturing and supportive environment where students are encouraged to affirm their gifts and challenge themselves to achieve their full potential. Brook Hill aims to produce students who are confident in both their faith and their education, preparing them to think critically, solve problems logically, and communicate effectively.
Advantages of an education at Brook Hill include:
- Spring Potential and Reality Courses (SPARC): This innovative program offers a week of life-enriching courses outside the traditional classroom. Students can choose from a variety of workshops and embark on educational and mission trips around the world, expanding their knowledge and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
- Strong Arts and Athletics: The school offers competitive fine arts programs, including art, drama, orchestra, and vocal music, alongside a wide range of athletic options such as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and equestrian.
- Biblical Worldview Integration: A core aspect of the Brook Hill experience is the integration of a Christian worldview across all subjects and activities, fostering character development and ethical decision-making.
The Brook Hill School boasts a 100% college acceptance rate, with graduates matriculating into a range of top universities. Recent admissions include highly regarded institutions like Yale, Cornell, Columbia, and Brown.
Website: https://www.brookhill.org/
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Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-12 (boarding available for grades 6-12)
International Student Ratio: Approximately 18%
Tuition: $53,264/year (boarding tuition)
Established in 1907, San Marcos Academy is another coeducational Christian boarding and day school located in the picturesque Texas Hill Country, adopting a balanced approach to education since its founding. The Academy emphasizes a college preparatory curriculum in a supportive, family-like atmosphere and is committed to developing students’ minds, bodies, and spirits. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of 15, students at San Marcos Academy benefit from individualized attention and a close-knit community that prioritizes care and mentorship.
Website: https://www.smabears.org/
Grade Levels: 9-12
International Student Ratio: 100% of boarding students are international (representing countries like Mexico, South Korea, Venezuela, Colombia, Rwanda, and more)
Tuition: $25,000/year
Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) is a unique Christian, international, college-preparatory boarding school located on a vast 670-acre ranch in Kingsville, Texas. Founded by the Presbyterian Church, PPAS is dedicated to motivating and equipping young people for lives of Christian leadership in a global community. It provides a multicultural environment where students from various backgrounds learn and grow together. With a remarkable student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, students benefit from exceptional individual attention and a supportive learning atmosphere. PPAS also fosters independence and personal responsibility through a disciplined daily schedule and communal work program.
Each year, 100% of PPAS graduates are accepted into colleges and universities in their home countries or the United States.
Website: https://www.ppas.org/
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding optional for grades 7-12)
Founded in 1969, Chinquapin Preparatory School is a non-profit private college-preparatory boarding and day school located in Highlands, Texas, near Houston. Unique in its mission, Chinquapin serves low-income youth, primarily minority students from the Greater Houston area, providing them with an exceptional college preparatory education that they might not otherwise receive. The school fosters an environment of self-discipline, ethical behavior, and a caring attitude, operating under the motto “Quid Pro Quo”, something for something, where students contribute to the school’s operation through daily chores and other responsibilities. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 and small class sizes, students receive individualized attention and support.
The college matriculation rate of Chinquapin Preparatory School is 100%, with graduates consistently attending 4-year colleges and universities. Notable admissions include institutions like the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Rice University.
Website: https://chinquapin.org/
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-12 (boarding available for grades 6-12)
Tuition: Approximately $49,000/year
Established in 1975, North Central Texas Academy (NCTA) is a Christian boarding, day, and international school. NCTA is committed to providing a nurturing, family-style environment where students receive a strong academic foundation alongside spiritual and character development. Situated on a large farm, NCTA offers a unique living and learning environment that promotes a sense of community, responsibility, and connection to nature. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, aiming to equip students not only for college but also for successful and meaningful lives. With an impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 3:1, NCTA ensures highly individualized instruction and close mentorship for each student.
North Central Texas Academy boasts a 98% graduation rate and a 100% four-year college matriculation rate, indicating its success in preparing students for higher education.
Website: https://www.northcentraltexasacademy.org/
Grade Levels: 7-12, post-graduate
International Student Ratio: Approximately 15%
Tuition: $53,900/year (boarding for all students)
Founded in 1965, Marine Military Academy (MMA) is an all-boys military boarding school located in Harlingen, Texas. MMA is renowned for its structured, disciplined environment and rigorous college preparatory curriculum, drawing inspiration from the values and traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps. The school’s mission is to develop young men into educated, responsible, and morally strong citizens and leaders, preparing them for success in college and life. The campus includes a replica of the famous Iwo Jima monument, serving as a powerful symbol of the values instilled at the academy.
Marine Military Academy proudly states a 100% college acceptance rate, with graduates gaining admission to a diverse range of colleges and universities. Approximately 80% of graduates enroll in four-year institutions, with the remainder attending two-year colleges or pursuing military service.
Website: https://www.mma-tx.org/
Starting at a U.S. boarding school is a huge step, full of excitement and new experiences, but we know it can also come with its own set of challenges. Getting used to a new academic style, perfecting your English, and immersing yourself in a new culture takes time and the right support. That’s exactly where Aralia Education steps in to help!
Our team of experienced instructors, many of whom teach at top U.S. high schools, is ready to guide you every step of the way. With Aralia, you’ll gain the essential skills and confidence needed to truly thrive in your new academic home.
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