How to Find a Boarding School with an ESL or ESOL Curriculum

Key Takeaways

• Understand and explore the terminology used for various types of educational English language learning programs, including ESL and ESOL.
• Find resources to explore the best boarding schools in the USA for international students.
• Learn about the types of boarding schools for international students in the USA: all boys, all girls, coed prep school and military schools.
• Explore ways to find an ESL boarding school that meets your needs and goals.

What Is an ESL or ESOL Curriculum?

Although terms may vary to describe English Language Learning programs, most U.S. boarding schools with ESL or ESOL integrate reading, writing, and speaking into the academic classes. Beyond academics, English language learning takes place during elective classes, clubs, sports, activities, meals, cultural events and dorm life.

While some boarding schools in the U.S. may admit beginners, most require intermediate or advanced level English for admission. For beginners or intermediate level students, boarding school ESL classes are intended to accelerate English so international students can be successful in the college prep curriculum offerings and prepare for college.

If a student enters while in middle school or the freshman year of high school, this positions them to be successful in the college prep curriculum and may even allow them to take advanced placement (AP) and honors classes as they advance towards their senior year. For more advanced English speakers, some boarding schools for international students offer advanced ESOL or ESL classes that may include reading complex or classical literature, as well as challenging writing and speaking lessons.

Resources for Finding Boarding Schools with ESL Programs

First and foremost, keep in mind that there are over 300 boarding schools in the U.S. and Canada alone, but don’t let that overwhelm you. The list of international boarding schools in the USA with ESL or ESOL programs is actually fairly narrow. By using the resources below, you will be able to find a private boarding school in the U.S. that will grant admission to you based on your current English proficiency level.

• Check Review Websites – To find the Best English as a Second Language Boarding Schools, Boarding School Review will help you narrow your search. On this site, you can compare schools and also apply filters to view rankings, locations, and school types based on your preferences.
• Check School Directories – Study International is a robust site for international students to find schools and universities. In addition, if you want to check accreditation, The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) lists all of the accredited schools in the U.S. If you are an advanced English student, Niche provides a directory of U.S. boarding schools, including the top 10 boarding schools.
• Contact International Agents – Although it is not required, you might find hiring an international agent to be useful as you try to find the best boarding school for your needs. They also help you complete the application process, student interview, test prep, and the I-20 Visa process. International Consultants for Education and Fairs (ICEF) screens all of their agents and this website will help you find an ICEF agent.
• Contact Educational Consultants – One additional resource to consider is the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). They have some international consultants listed on their website, although most of their consultants focus on domestic students.
• Know how to Get an F-1 Visa – It is very important to know how to obtain and maintain the Certificate of Eligibility for Non Immigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students. An agent or admission associate can guide you through the steps.
• Ask for Referrals – If you know someone who attended an ESL boarding school during high school or middle school, you might want to ask them questions about their boarding school experience.

• Contact an International Admission Counselor – Boarding schools typically have someone who is well-versed in international admission questions. Don’t hesitate to contact an expert to learn more about how boarding schools determine English proficiency through test scores and interviews.

Interested in a Specific Type of Boarding School?

To explore the types of boarding schools, we have provided some short lists of schools that offer ESL or ESOL programs for international students. Bear in mind that U.S. boarding schools vary by school type, location, and other factors.

All-boys boarding schools – The top all-boys boarding schools for international students studying in the U.S. feature comprehensive English Language Learning (ELL) programs. Top all-boys schools include:

• Army and Navy Academy (Carlsbad, CA): The Academy features an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program in partnership with Power Immersion Prep for immersive English Language (ELL) experiences. With an emphasis on building confidence through science-backed strategies, the Academy cultivates independence, resilience, and core competencies.
• Blue Ridge School (St. George, VA): This boarding school offers an intensive ESOL curriculum, as well as cultural events for international students. Like most boarding schools, they pair roommates in the dorms with native English speakers.
• St. Catherine’s Academy (Anaheim, CA): A Catholic school with a military tradition, St. Catherine’s is geared for boys in grades K-8. This school features an ELL program that does not require TOEFL testing for acceptance.
• The Kiski School (Saltsburg, PA): Well-known for strong college preparatory academics, this all-boys school offers personalized support for non-native English speakers.

All-girls boarding schools – The list below provides some top-tier, all-girls boarding schools, offering specialized English language supports and/or programs designed for international students:

• Grier School (Tyrone, PA): Boasting a 100% four-year college placement rate, this prep school offers a rigorous ESL curriculum along with elite tracks in STEAM and equestrian studies.
• Miss Hall’s School (Pittsfield, MA): Offering an acclaimed Horizons experiential learning and leadership program, this school has three distinct levels in their ESL program.
• Linden Hall (Lititz, PA): As America’s oldest operating boarding school for girls, the school provides a comprehensive ESL curriculum for intermediate to advanced proficiency levels.
• Chatham Hall (Chatham, VA): This school only offers an International Student English (ISE/ESL/ELL) program on a case-by-case basis. The offerings are set up to ensure proper class placement and success in their program.
• Stoneleigh-Burnham School (Greenfield, MA): This all-girls’ boarding school in New England offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. IB is recognized worldwide and offers rigorous, inquiry-based programs for students.
• Emma Willard School (Troy, NY): As one of oldest girls’ boarding schools in the U.S., this school offers strong international diversity and integration, with international students representing nearly 35 countries.

Military Boarding Schools – Top military boarding schools featuring dedicated ESL support for international students include:

• Army and Navy Academy (Carlsbad, CA): Located in San Diego County in Southern California, this college-preparatory military academy for boys (grades 7-12) features specialized English language learning programs designed to build rapid fluency and prepare students for college and life beyond.
• Camden Military Academy (Camden, SC): This academy in the south, welcomes cadets from around the world. They offer ESL support from beginner to advanced levels in an environment with small class sizes.
• Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, VA):. Their curriculum is designed to help international students rapidly gain fluency and satisfy TOEFL/IELTS university requirements. True for most boarding schools, they integrate English language immersion into all aspects of boarding school life.
• Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA): Unlike some other military schools, they do not require minimum English standardized test scores for admission and welcome TOEFL/Duolingo scores for proper class placement.
• Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA): At Hargrave, students can take ESL intensively or alongside standard coursework. They offer all levels and concentrations of ESL, including specific TOEFL preparation.
• Massanutten Military Academy (Woodstock, VA): By tailoring their approach to international student needs, their ESL program helps students improve English language proficiency to achieve specific goals.
• Missouri Military Academy (Mexico, MO): This academy provides a structured daily schedule, college prep curriculum and dedicated ESL support to help international cadets improve written and oral English. MMA offers four distinct levels of ESL. The program includes a TOEFL Prep elective and supports students from beginner to advanced proficiency.

College Prep Private Schools – Leading private college prep schools that offer strong ESL pathways for international students include:

• Fairmont Preparatory Academy: Located in Anaheim, California, this school offers comprehensive ESL and bilingual programs, blending rigorous AP classes with intensive language support.
• Army and Navy Academy: Located in Carlsbad, California, this boys’ boarding school offers an English Language for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program in partnership with Power Immersion Prep.
• Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall: Situated in Waltham, Massachusetts, this day and boarding school features dedicated ELL classes that teach active reading, research techniques, and academic vocabulary.
• Oxford Academy: Located in Westbrook, Connecticut, this boarding school specializes in one-to-one ESL instruction and targeted TOEFL preparation.
• Southwestern Academy: With campuses in San Marino and Rimrock, Arizona, this school utilizes a 3-level ELL curriculum to transition international students into mainstream classes.
• Mercersburg Academy: This highly regarded Pennsylvania boarding school offers college preparation alongside a dedicated ESL and summer program.

Highly Proficient in English?

If you are in the advanced range, you can look at boarding schools that do not offer ESL or ESOL programs. However, bear in mind, they accept international students based upon rigorous standards, so they are often highly competitive and may have long wait lists.

These boarding schools typically expect students to be in the advanced range on TOEFL or other required test scores, so that students can participate fully in the college prep classes offered without a high level of support.

A number of locations have been noted below, so you can check out schools on the east coast as well as some of the best boarding schools in California, Arizona, and Texas. Highly Selective Boarding Schools without ESL or ESOL include:

• Phillips Academy (MA)
• Phillips Exeter Academy (NH)
• Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
• The Lawrenceville School (NJ)
• Deerfield Academy (MA)
• The Thacher School (CA)
• Cate School (CA)
• The Webb Schools (CA)
• The Hockaday School (TX)
• Verde Valley (AZ)

What to Look for in an ESL Boarding School

• Academics – Does the school offer college prep classes, advanced placement, honors, and electives in your interest areas (e.g. art, band)?
• ESL Support – Are there special ESL or ESOL classes international students are required to take? Do they offer tutoring, faculty office hours, mandatory study time or other support systems for international students?
• College Counseling – Does the school offer college counseling, college planning workshops, test prep and other services?
• Co-Curricular Activities – Check out JV and Varsity Sports, Clubs, Associations, Trips and Cultural Activities
• Student Services – Does the campus have a transportation department, health center, dining hall, athletic facility, makerspace, recreation hall or other facilities of interests?
• Campus Life – Where is the campus located? Is it in an urban, rural or suburban environment with access to airports? Are you able to enjoy activities locally such as surfing, hiking, or cultural activities?
• Admission Requirements – What are the admission requirements? Review the English level required and test scores required (e.g. TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, DuoLingo). Are you required to do a student interview?
• Dorm Life – Do they pair roommates so you can practice English with a native speaker?

Find the Right Boarding School

Now that you have some resources to find the best boarding school for your needs and you know more about the various English language programs, why not begin your exploration of boarding schools? Key steps and factors to consider:

• Research U.S. Boarding Schools – Create a list of your priorities as you explore ESL boarding schools and compare language learning programs. Remember to use all of the resources available: review sites, association websites, referrals, agent contacts and direct contact with boarding schools of your choice.
• Make Contact with the Admission Office or Find an Agent – Admission Offices and/or agents can help address your questions about language programs, academics, support services for international students, athletic programs, and extracurricular activities. They will guide you through the process of applying, acceptance offers, contracts and preparing for registration.
• Be Realistic about Your Proficiency – Before applying to schools, make sure you are eligible based on your English level proficiency. Take proficiency exams early so you know your level and can choose appropriate schools.
• Choose 3-5 ESL Boarding Schools – Just like with college, you might not get into your top choice, so apply to a few schools where you meet the admission criteria.
• Follow the Application Steps – Once you pin down a short list of schools, follow all of the application steps. Typically, these include: online application, providing transcripts, taking English proficiency tests like the TOEFL or Duo Lingo, and completing a student interview by remote.
• Meet Deadlines for Applications – To ensure you get your F-1 Visa in time, it is important to apply early and meet all deadlines. Consult with the Admission team or your agent to map out a timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all U.S. boarding schools offer ESL or ESOL programs?

Not all boarding schools offer programs, so use the shorts lists provided above to help you narrow your search.

Can international students attend a boarding school without ESL classes?

Yes, they can but they have to be accepted and typically must be in the advanced level of proficiency to be offered admission. Refer to the section above for “highly proficient in English?”

Is it hard to get an F-I Visa to study in the United States?

No, it is not hard, as most boarding schools are certified as “Student and Exchange Visitor Programs (SEVP). You will also have to prove you have enough funds to cover your tuition and living expenses, and demonstrate that you plan to return to your home country after your studies.

What are all the English Language Learning program acronyms and what do they mean?

• ESL meaning: English as a Second Language is learning English in a country where English is dominantly spoken or the official language.
• ESOL meaning: ESOL is English for Speakers of Other Languages. By contrast, English as a Second Language (ESL) is not fully comprehensive, given that some boarding school students speak multiple languages.
• ELL meaning: ELL stands for English Language Learner and refers to a student who is actively learning English as an additional language in a K-12 school. This is usually because the student’s primary language at home is not English.
• EFL meaning: English as a Foreign Language is learning English in a non-English-speaking country.
• ESP meaning: English for Special Purposes includes students learning English in the context of a particular profession, field, or topic. This is more applicable to higher education or adult learners.

Looking for a top ESL Boarding School for Boys?

At Army and Navy Academy, we specialize in transforming potential into confidence through rigorous daily structure, stellar leadership training, and virtue development.

Army and Navy Academy is located on a scenic beachfront campus in Carlsbad, California, and offers a rigorous college-preparatory experience for boys in grades 7–12. As a top-ranked boarding school for boys and a Gurian Center for Excellence, the Academy provides:

• Structured Daily Schedule
• English Language Learning Program for International Students
• Rigorous College Prep Classes and Specialized Programs
• Mandatory Study Time and Individualized Support
• Emotional, Social and Academic Counseling Support
• Stellar West Point-Style Leadership training
• Championship Level Athletics Program
• Mentorship and Guidance 24/7

Admission Office at 888.762.2338 or directly at 760.729.2385

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