A boarding high school is a secondary school where students attend classes while living on campus throughout the academic year. These schools provide a structured, immersive environment that seamlessly blends academics, residential life, and personal development. With 24/7 access to educational resources, dedicated faculty, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, students gain a strong sense of independence, responsibility, and community. Boarding schools are an excellent fit for families seeking a comprehensive education that extends beyond the classroom and allows students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally in a supportive and enriching environment.
Why San Francisco Is a Unique Location for Boarding High Schools
A beautiful city with iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars, San Francisco is also one of the most intellectually stimulating and globally connected cities in the United States. For students attending boarding high schools, this unique setting offers numerous advantages that go far beyond the classroom.
- A Hub of Innovation and Technology: San Francisco is situated in the heart of the Bay Area, home to Silicon Valley and countless tech startups, research institutions, and global companies. Boarding school students in the region benefit from proximity to this hub of innovation, whether through guest lectures from industry professionals, internships, or partnerships with leading organizations. This exposure to real-world problem-solving and entrepreneurship is a meaningful advantage for those interested in STEM, business, or digital media.
- Rich Cultural Diversity: As one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the U.S., San Francisco fosters an inclusive and globally oriented learning environment. Students from all backgrounds come together to live, learn, and collaborate, developing cross-cultural communication skills and a broader worldview. Boarding schools in the area reflect this diversity in their student bodies, curriculum, and extracurricular activities.
- Access to World-Class Institutions and Resources: San Francisco is surrounded by some of the world’s top universities and research centers, including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCSF. Many boarding schools benefit from academic partnerships, mentorship programs, and campus visits to these institutions, which can enhance students’ college preparation and educational enrichment.
All these factors make San Francisco not only a scenic place to live but also an inspiring and forward-thinking setting for academic and personal growth. For students seeking more than just a standard high school experience, attending a boarding school in San Francisco can be a transformative journey.
Top Boarding High Schools in San Francisco
To help students and families navigate their choices, Niche, a platform for researching schools and colleges in the U.S., releases annual rankings of the best boarding high schools based on a wide range of criteria, including academic performance, teacher quality, diversity, student and parent reviews, and extracurricular offerings. In the 2025 edition of Niche’s Top Boarding High Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, several schools stood out for their academic excellence, well-rounded programs, and supportive residential life.
So, what are the top boarding high schools in San Francisco? Let’s take a closer look at these six standout institutions.
- Woodside Priory School
- The Athenian School
- San Domenico School
- California Crosspoint Academy
- Archbishop Riordan High School
- Eastside College Preparatory School
1. Woodside Priory School
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12)
Tuition: $93,490 (7-day boarding, inclusive of tuition and boarding fees)
Woodside Priory School is an independent Catholic Benedictine college preparatory school. Founded in 1957 by a group of Hungarian Benedictine monks, the school embodies a mission to help all students create meaningful and balanced lives, becoming lifelong learners and stewards who productively serve the world. Woodside Priory uniquely blends a serene rural setting with metropolitan advantages, providing unparalleled access to hubs of innovation such as Stanford University (just 10 minutes away) and San Francisco (40 minutes away).
Woodside Priory’s academic program is deeply rooted in its Benedictine values of spirituality, hospitality, integrity, individuality, and community, which guide every aspect of the learning experience. Beyond over 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the school offers distinctive courses, including:
- Neuroscience
- Paleontology
- AI Projects
- Senior Project (in-depth, independent research)
- Program in Writing and Reading (PWR)
The school’s boarding program stands out, with full-time Residential Faculty (RFs) whose primary responsibility is to mentor students and foster a family-like atmosphere, focusing on holistic well-being using principles from positive psychology. This supportive environment ensures that students, a significant portion of whom are international, feel known and loved. Woodside Priory is home to a vibrant student life, featuring over 60 sports and clubs, a vast performing arts program, and competitive athletics. The campus, set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley with nearby mountains, horse farms, and trails, creates an idyllic and dynamic environment. This comprehensive approach to education, combined with a selective admissions process, prepares students exceptionally well for their futures, as evidenced by its impressive 99-100% matriculation rate to four-year colleges.
2. The Athenian School
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12)
Tuition: $93,490 (7-day boarding, inclusive of tuition and boarding fees)
Woodside Priory School is an independent Catholic Benedictine college preparatory school. Founded in 1957 by a group of Hungarian Benedictine monks, the school embodies a mission to help all students create meaningful and balanced lives, becoming lifelong learners and stewards who productively serve the world. Woodside Priory uniquely blends a serene rural setting with metropolitan advantages, providing unparalleled access to hubs of innovation such as Stanford University (just 10 minutes away) and San Francisco (40 minutes away).
Woodside Priory’s academic program is deeply rooted in its Benedictine values of spirituality, hospitality, integrity, individuality, and community, which guide every aspect of the learning experience. Beyond over 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the school offers distinctive courses, including:
- Neuroscience
- Paleontology
- AI Projects
- Senior Project (in-depth, independent research)
- Program in Writing and Reading (PWR)
The school’s boarding program stands out, with full-time Residential Faculty (RFs) whose primary responsibility is to mentor students and foster a family-like atmosphere, focusing on holistic well-being using principles from positive psychology. This supportive environment ensures that students, a significant portion of whom are international, feel known and loved. Woodside Priory is home to a vibrant student life, featuring over 60 sports and clubs, a vast performing arts program, and competitive athletics. The campus, set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley with nearby mountains, horse farms, and trails, creates an idyllic and dynamic environment. This comprehensive approach to education, combined with a selective admissions process, prepares students exceptionally well for their futures, as evidenced by its impressive 99-100% matriculation rate to four-year colleges.
3. San Domenico School
Grade Levels: K-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12, with flex-boarding options).
International Student Representation: A significant number of international students, representing over 20 countries
Tuition: $81,000 (7-day boarding)
As California’s oldest independent school, San Domenico School, founded by Dominican Sisters in 1850, offers a comprehensive K-12 co-educational program with a dynamic boarding option for high school students. The school’s mission is rooted in the Dominican-inspired values of study, reflection, community, and service, integrating purpose with rigorous academics to prepare students not just for college, but for lives of meaning and impact.
San Domenico School stands out for its innovative academic features, particularly in arts and integrated STEM fields, including:
- Virtuoso Program (VP): An internationally recognized program that provides an unparalleled opportunity for high school students aspiring to be professional string musicians, offering intensive pre-college musical and academic studies within a dedicated conservatory setting
- Integrated STEAM Learning Model: Educators from diverse departments collaborate to deliver academically adjacent courses simultaneously, fostering design thinking, self-directed learning, and the ability to produce graduate-level work
- Game Design: The school offers a four-year Game Design Academy that focuses on building 3D and XR environments.
- Filmmaking: courses are offered through the school’s Digital Arts program.
The school’s unique campus and holistic environment are equally impressive. Students benefit from living and learning on a vast, sustainably minded campus that includes an organic garden, equestrian center, and extensive trails—all part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, recognized by a Green Ribbon School award. The on-campus organic farm supplies fresh ingredients for school meals.
With faculty living on campus, a robust arts program (including the award-winning Orchestra Da Camera), competitive athletics, and an emphasis on service learning, the school provides a truly balanced and enriching experience. Its convenient location also offers easy access to the cultural and intellectual opportunities of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Aralia Empowers Students from San Francisco
4. California Crosspoint Academy
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12)
International Student Representation: Approximately 28% international students, primarily from China and other Asian countries
Tuition: $70,850 (2025-2026)
California Crosspoint Academy (CCA) is a co-educational Christian college preparatory school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1979 as Chinese Christian Schools, CCA has grown into a nationally recognized institution and was twice honored with the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award (in 2003 and 2016). Guided by its motto, “Transforming Lives for the Glory of God,” CCA provides a world-renowned educational program rooted in Christian philosophy. It is committed to preparing students for university success and purposeful lives.
CCA offers a rigorous university-preparatory program that consistently ranks among the top 1.0% of all high schools in the United States for college readiness. The curriculum is deeply informed by its Christian philosophy, providing a moral and spiritual compass alongside academic rigor. Students have access to over 20 Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses, with a high percentage taking at least one advanced class and graduating as AP Scholars. CCA ensures students fulfill and often exceed the University of California “a-g” admissions requirements, receiving a comprehensive education that extends to fine arts, Bible studies, technology, and physical education. Each high school student also benefits from individualized college counseling, guiding them through every step of their academic and university application journey.
CCA actively supports its diverse international student body, notably through partner programs with institutions in China that allow students to experience CCA’s curriculum abroad before deciding whether to complete their senior year on the Hayward campus.
5. Archbishop Riordan High School
Grade Levels: 9-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12)
International Student Representation: 88 students from 18 countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Tuition: $65,000 (7-day boarding)
Archbishop Riordan High School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school with a rich Marianist tradition. Established in 1949 and transitioning to a co-ed model in 2020, Riordan stands as a pillar of education committed to preparing young men and women for leadership and lifelong success. Notably, Archbishop Riordan High School operates the only high school boarding program within the city of San Francisco. Its prime urban location offers unparalleled access to San Francisco’s dynamic cultural scene, leading universities, and global tech industry, making it a unique boarding experience.
Archbishop Riordan High School is recognized for its rigorous academic programs, with a particular strength in STEM, thanks to features such as:
- Four-Year Honors Engineering Program: Delves into computer engineering, fabrication, and design, utilizing curricula from industry leaders like Project Lead the Way to prepare students for careers in AI, robotics, and automation
- Biomedical Science Program: A four-year honors-level pathway for aspiring health professionals, with specialized courses like Human Body Systems and Medical Interventions culminating in a Capstone project
- 4×4 Block Schedule: Students take up to eight classes annually with extended daily periods, enabling deeper subject immersion
As one of the most diverse schools in the Bay Area, Riordan embraces students from every background. The boarding program provides a supportive “home away from home” for its international students, with dedicated faculty fostering growth. The school boasts San Francisco’s largest marching band, a robust performing arts program, and 40 competitive athletic teams. This holistic approach, combined with its unique urban boarding location and 100% college matriculation rate, ensures that Riordan graduates are well-prepared for success in college and beyond.
6. Eastside College Preparatory School
Grade Levels: 6-12 (boarding available for grades 9-12)
Tuition: $0. Eastside College Preparatory School operates entirely on donations and grants, providing full scholarships to its students. Families are asked to make a small contribution and dedicate volunteer hours.
Located at the heart of Silicon Valley and near Stanford University, Eastside College Preparatory School is a co-educational, independent boarding and day school with a truly unique mission. Established in 1996, Eastside was founded to address the achievement gap for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, with a specific focus on first-generation college-bound students from low-income families. The school provides a transformative educational experience within a supportive residential environment, aiming to open new doors and create a ripple effect of success in its students’ lives, their families, and their communities.
Eastside’s academic programs are meticulously designed to ensure university success for its unique student body. A core component of their approach is an extended school day and a year-round calendar, which requires students to stay on campus until 5 p.m. for structured work time and offers summer sessions, ensuring consistent academic engagement and support throughout the year. All seniors complete a challenging 25-page research thesis, culminating in a formal presentation, which fosters advanced research and communication skills. The school also offers a comprehensive three-year college prep class series, including tours to colleges on both the East and West Coasts, as well as numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Furthermore, Eastside offers an unparalleled comprehensive alumni support program, with dedicated college and career coaches who continue to guide graduates through their university years and into their professional careers, boasting an impressive 70% college completion rate for its alumni.
Choosing a boarding high school in the San Francisco Bay Area will lead to unique opportunities and a transformative educational experience. Each institution, in its own way, leverages the Bay Area’s innovative spirit, diverse culture, and intellectual capital to foster academic rigor, personal growth, and global readiness.
Ready to Elevate Your U.S. Boarding School Experience?
Deciding to attend a boarding high school is a significant step, and we at Aralia Education are here to ensure your path is smooth and successful. Our team of experienced instructors, many of whom teach at top U.S. high schools, understands the unique demands and opportunities of boarding school life. Whether you need specialized academic support, help with competition preparation, or guidance in adapting to a new educational style, Aralia provides personalized, high-quality online courses and mentorship.
