Everything you need to know about school selection, entrance exam preparation, tuition & boarding life
The Complete Guide to Boarding Schools
Studying at an overseas boarding school is a transformative opportunity that can significantly shape your child's future. This guide comprehensively covers everything from selecting prestigious schools in the UK, US, and Switzerland, to understanding entrance exam types and preparation strategies, tuition estimates, and the boarding experience. Leveraging its British heritage, ELT provides support from specialists who are well-versed in local school information and admissions trends.
Essential Articles to Read First
Boarding Schools in Japan: A Complete Comparison of Rugby, ISAK, Harrow Appi, and More
What is a Boarding School? Costs, Benefits, and How to Choose in Japan and Abroad
The UK School System Explained: A Guide for International Families on Public, Private, and International Schools
The Appeal and Admission Requirements of UK Boarding Schools: True Character Education at Traditional Institutions
Explore Articles by Topic
School Selection & Comparison
An overview of the features and selection criteria for prestigious boarding schools in the UK, US, Switzerland, and beyond.
UWC ISAK Japan: Admissions, Fees, and its Global Leadership Program in Karuizawa
Harrow Appi: Reputation, Fees & Admission Insights from Experts
Rugby School Japan (RSJ): Tuition, Academic Standards, and Reputation | An Admissions Strategy Based on University Placements
NUCB International College Review: Harvard-Style Case Method and Full-Boarding IB Education
Jinseki International School (JINIS) Review and Fees: What Does Full-Boarding Education from Grade 1 Offer a Child?
Hakuba International School Review: Blending Nature with Sustainability Education
The Appeal and Admission Requirements of UK Boarding Schools: True Character Education at Traditional Institutions
Entrance Exam Preparation
Detailed guidance on the content and effective preparation strategies for UKiset, ISEB, 11+, 13+, and other entrance examinations.
A Complete Guide to the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test): Key to British International & Boarding School Admissions
What are the SSAT & ISEE? A Complete Guide to Differences and Prep Strategies
11+ (Eleven Plus) Exam Complete Guide 2026: State Grammar vs. Independent Schools, Strategies for International Families and Subject-Specific Preparation
The Complete Guide to UK Elite School Admissions: Is It All Decided at 11? Mastering the ISEB Pre-Test and Common Entrance
Mastering UKiset: A Non-Verbal Strategy to Overcome the Cut-Off for Prestigious UK Schools
The Complete Guide to UK Prep Schools: How to Get the 'Golden Ticket' to Eton and Harrow
Tuition & Fees
A comprehensive overview of boarding school costs including tuition, boarding fees, and travel expenses, along with scholarship information.
Boarding & Student Life
An authentic look at daily life at a boarding school, including extracurricular activities, pastoral care, and communication with families.
Considering boarding school education?
Only ELT, with its British heritage, can offer such strong local school networks and an outstanding track record of admissions success. Our specialists provide end-to-end support from school selection to entrance exam preparation.
ELT's Expertise in Boarding School Preparation
As a school founded in London, ELT maintains close networks with prestigious boarding schools across the UK. We have extensive experience preparing candidates for a wide range of entrance examinations including UKiset, ISEB, 11+, 13+, and Scholarship exams, providing targeted instruction aligned with each school's admissions criteria. Our comprehensive support covers every stage from school selection through application and interview preparation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the Boarding School Guide
In the UK, children can enter prep school from age 7 (Year 3). The main entry points for boarding schools are at age 11 (11+) or age 13 (13+).
In the UK, annual costs (tuition plus boarding fees) typically range from JPY 3-6 million. Costs at prestigious schools in the US and Switzerland can be higher. Many schools also offer scholarship programmes.
Many boarding schools offer EAL (English as an Additional Language) programmes for international students. However, as a certain level of English proficiency is required for entrance examinations, advance preparation is essential.
Ideally, preparation should begin 1-2 years before the target entry date. Standardised tests such as UKiset and ISEB require familiarity, making early preparation particularly effective.
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