American Boarding School Guide: What Ten Schools Is, Financial Structure, and Application Preparation Including the SSAT [2026 Edition]

Families considering Ten Schools as candidates need to understand "how much this will cost and what preparation is necessary and by when to gain admission from Japan." This article answers these questions based on official and public information available as of November 4, 2026. The key conclusions are three:

1. Ten Schools is the name of an organization, not a ranking. It is a collective term for ten schools that joined the admissions organization founded in 1952.
2. Costs should be calculated as "tuition (often including boarding) + ancillary expenses." For the 2026–27 academic year, the ten member schools' tuition ranges from $71,797 to $82,710 USD based on confirmed information. Additional costs apply for insurance, applications and tests, travel, visas, and other expenses.
3. Admission is not determined by the SSAT alone. It is a holistic evaluation combining academic records, standardized tests, proof of English proficiency, interviews, essays, and recommendations.

What Is an American Boarding School?

An American boarding school is a private secondary school in the United States where students and faculty live and study together in dormitories. The primary entry grade is Grade 9 (roughly equivalent to the third year of junior high school in Japan), though some schools also admit students in Grade 10 and beyond, as well as Postgraduate (PG) students (those in a one-year program after high school graduation).

Definitions of boarding schools and the global overview are explained in What is a Boarding School (Full Boarding)? Country-by-country comparisons and general guidance on school selection are also covered in Guide to Overseas International and Boarding School Education. This article focuses specifically on the United States.

Fundamentals of US Boarding Schools: Grade Levels, Residential Life, and Admission Timeline

The Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO) describes boarding school as a place where students and faculty "study, play, and live together."

"Boarding school offers students an immersive, experience-based learning opportunity within a supportive and diverse community of students and teachers."

(TSAO official website, confirmed November 4, 2026)

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) represents independent, accredited, nonprofit college-preparatory boarding schools. According to materials published by TABS and NAIS, the comparable sample for the 2022–23 academic year included 146 schools. However, TABS also describes itself as an organization of "more than 200 member schools," and because the academic year and scope differ, no single figure can be given. The proportion of international students and the number of Japanese students are not confirmed in primary sources.

In the United States, states, regions, and individual private schools establish their own requirements for admission and graduation, so there is no nationwide, uniform age standard (U.S. Department of Education). Therefore, correspondence with Japanese grade levels should be considered approximate.

Correspondence varies depending on date of birth, the curriculum of the current school, whether the student will repeat a grade, and the target school's assessment. A quick reference table for year, grade, and Japanese grade level can be found in Year/Grade and Japanese Grade Level Correspondence Table.

While Grade 9 is one of the primary entry points for Ten Schools, Deerfield Academy accepts applications for Grades 9–12 and PG, and The Taft School considers Grades 9–11 as its main entry years while also accepting PG students (each school's official Admission page, applications for 2027–28 admission, confirmed November 4, 2026). The United States also has Junior Boarding Schools that accept students of middle school age.

Differences from Day Schools

The meaning of choosing a boarding school lies in the fact that the school community continues after classes, after dinner, and through weekends. In TSAO school profiles, Choate Rosemary Hall highlights weekend dances, sports, and service activities, while The Lawrenceville School describes after-dinner clubs, extracurricular activities, and evening check-ins.

Rather than thinking of it simply as a school with boarding fees, it is more accurate to the official description to view it as a 24-hour educational environment that includes life guidance, extended time with faculty, and a full range of extracurricular activities. For families stationed abroad who are considering leaving their child in the United States after an eventual return to Japan, this residential support becomes an important factor in their decision.

Differences from UK Boarding Schools (ELT US/UK Boarding Admissions Comparison Table)

The United States is characterized by schools combining multiple documents and exams for a holistic evaluation. Details of UK admissions are addressed in UK-specific articles; here we show only the key differences.

For UK admissions, see also Guide to UKiset and Guide to ISEB Pre-Test and Common Entrance.

What Are Ten Schools?

Ten Schools is a collective term for ten private boarding schools in the northeastern United States that are members of the Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO), established in 1952. Although the name is sometimes mentioned as referring to "prestigious US boarding schools," the organization does not officially rank its member schools.

Origins and Purpose

TSAO was established to simplify the application process for families considering these ten schools.

"Founded in 1952 with the explicit goal of making the application process easier for families considering our ten schools…"

(TSAO About Us, confirmed November 4, 2026)

Its mission statement includes promoting boarding school education collectively and fostering more inclusive and supportive admissions practices. The organization conducts joint recruitment activities and information sessions outside schools. The reason for limiting membership to the original ten schools is explained as "historical context," and interpreting "Ten Schools" as "the top ten schools in America" would not be accurate.

List of Ten Member Schools

Source: Ten Schools Admission Organization "Our Schools" (https://www.tenschools.org/our-schools) and each school's official website. Confirmed November 4, 2026. The proportion of boarding students at schools other than Deerfield and St. Paul's has not been confirmed.

Common Application Procedures for Member Schools

Member schools do not have a single common deadline; TSAO describes deadlines as "typically January 15–February 1." However, admission notifications are sent on March 10, with an enrollment response deadline of April 10, which is consistent across all schools. Additionally, all ten member schools accept applications through the Gateway to Prep Schools common application system (TSAO Timeline, for 2027–28 admission, confirmed November 4, 2026).

Alternatives Beyond Ten Schools

You do not need to limit yourself to Ten Schools. TABS member schools include coeducational, boys', and girls' schools, as well as Junior Boarding Schools, religious schools, military schools, and arts-focused schools. By broadening your candidates along dimensions such as school size, region, whether coeducational or single-gender, and availability of English support, you are more likely to find a school that suits your child.

How to Read "Rankings" and Axes for Choosing Schools

Our research did not confirm that the US government produces a national ranking of private boarding schools. Private rankings differ in their measurement criteria depending on the publisher, so it is appropriate to examine "what is being measured" rather than relying on the ranking itself.

What Do Private Rankings Measure?

The well-known U.S. News Best High Schools (2026–27 edition) covers approximately 18,000 public high schools and does not include independent boarding schools. Rankings for independent boarding schools are treated as private evaluations.

Sources: Niche "Best Boarding Schools Methodology," Boarding School Review "About Us." Date verified: November 4, 2026.

Niche combines multiple sources of information—schools, NCES (National Center for Education Statistics), and user surveys—and is not a ranking of admission difficulty.

Six Axes for Selecting a Boarding School: A Guide for International Families

As an alternative to rankings, ELT recommends examining the following six axes separately.

Tuition and Total Cost of Attendance

For the 2026–27 academic year, boarding tuition at the 10 member schools ranges from $71,797 to $82,710 annually, based on available information. Because different schools include or exclude room, board, technology fees, and health fees differently in their tuition figures, comparison should be based on total cost of attendance including all associated fees.

Cost Breakdown: Annual Expenses

F-1 Student Visa Application and SEVIS Fees

Application fee $185 USD, I-901 SEVIS fee $350 USD (as of November 2026, U.S. State Department and SEVP)

Travel and Return Expenses

Round-trip flights between the U.S. and home country, travel during long holidays

Not confirmed

Guardian Fees

Fees paid to a guardian representative in the United States

Not confirmed

Tuition and Required Ancillary Fees by School

Source: Official Tuition and Financial Aid pages on each school's website. Verified: November 4, 2026. If 2027–28 tuition rates are published, those will take priority.

When looking at tuition alone, Exeter appears lower, but once insurance and materials are factored in, the difference narrows. When comparing schools, it is important to examine the "estimated total" and the definition of required fees for each school. A comparison of boarding school costs across the U.S., Japan, and the United Kingdom is planned in our boarding school costs comparison article. Domestic boarding school options are introduced in our guide to Japanese boarding schools.

How Financial Aid Works

Whether international students can receive financial aid varies by school. The policies we have been able to confirm officially are as follows:

It is impossible to generalize whether international students can or cannot receive aid. Please verify the latest information for each school you are interested in.

How Exchange Rates Affect Your Budget

All tuition is in U.S. dollars. When planning a budget in your home currency, it is wise to calculate the total cost for all years of enrollment, not just one year, and verify that your family's finances can absorb potential currency fluctuations. Since tuition is reviewed annually, year-over-year increases should also be factored into your planning.

Admission Requirements and the Five Elements of the Application (ELT's Five Elements for U.S. Boarding School Applications)

Admission to Ten Schools is based on holistic admission, and acceptance is not determined by any single score. ELT recommends organizing your application preparation around the "ELT Five Elements for U.S. Boarding School Applications."

Source: TSAO and official Admissions pages from each school (for 2027–28 admission; verified November 4, 2026).

TSAO describes standardized test scores as "only one piece of the puzzle," explaining that they are considered together with academic records, essays, and recommendations. Deerfield and Loomis Chaffee also officially state that admissions decisions reflect a holistic evaluation.

Academic Records: How Are They Evaluated?

Exeter requires current-year and prior-year records to be submitted directly from your current school via Gateway; self-submitted transcripts are not accepted. Lawrenceville, for applicants entering Grade 9, requests records from Grades 6 and 7 plus current Grade 8 performance; international applicants must provide English translations. Within the scope of this research, no official formula was found for converting the 5-point grading scale used in some schools to the US system. For deeper understanding of the US grading system and GPA, see our guide to American curriculum and GPA.

Standardized Tests: Which Tests Are Required?

For the 2027–28 admission cycle, only Choate and Loomis Chaffee explicitly state that standardized tests are optional. Choate explains that applicants who do not submit scores will be evaluated on academics, course selection, interview, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. Loomis Chaffee confirms that not submitting a score will not disadvantage an applicant. Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, Hill, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, St. Paul's, and Taft require standardized tests according to the applicant's grade level.

English Proficiency Documentation: What English Tests Are Required?

Many schools require English proficiency tests when English is not the applicant's primary language or when their schooling in English has been limited. The benchmarks each school publishes are shown below, and none of these represent a minimum passing score.

Source: Official Admissions pages from each school (verified November 4, 2026). The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score scales may vary between old and new formats depending on the school's website; please check each school's latest page at the time of application. For differences between IELTS and TOEFL, see our IELTS and TOEFL comparison.

Interview: What Do Schools Look for in an Interview?

TSAO frames the interview as a "conversation" where both applicant and school explore whether they are a good fit for each other. Exeter requires interviews for all applicants and accepts three formats: in-person, online, or recorded responses. Loomis Chaffee does not require interviews but strongly encourages them; Deerfield treats the interview as part of the application process.

Applicants who have grown up outside English-speaking environments sometimes give short answers and stop. Practicing how to discuss your interests, accomplishments, and goals for that particular school—with reasons and concrete examples—is valuable preparation. For more on interview structure, see our international school interview guide; for strategies specific to boarding school interviews, see our boarding school English interview preparation. If you need to prepare for exchanges with the school in English as a parent or guardian, our guide to common parent interview questions may also be helpful.

Essays and Recommendations: What Should These Documents Convey?

Exeter asks for a student essay, a parent statement, recommendations from the school head or counselor and from English and math teachers, and an additional recommendation highlighting character or community involvement. Lawrenceville requires statements from both parent and student, plus recommendations from the head or counselor and from English and math teachers. Choate uses Gateway to collect teacher recommendations, with a third recommendation being optional. Essay prompts change annually, and the 2027–28 prompts for the ten schools have not yet been confirmed.

Application Systems: How Do You Apply?

Two common application platforms serve these schools. Gateway to Prep Schools is accepted by all ten member schools and is currently processing applications for fall 2027 admission. There is no application fee for the platform itself; you pay only the application fee for each school. Standard Application Online (SAO), operated by The Enrollment Management Association (EMA), is used by Hill, Loomis Chaffee, Taft, and others.

Of the five components, English proficiency documentation and interview preparation can begin before you have finalized your school list. ELT is available to discuss your questions about international schooling and overseas education.

The SSAT in Your Application Strategy

The SSAT is one of five components and does not single-handedly determine admission to the Ten Schools. What matters is planning your test date and the number of attempts you will make as part of your overall application timeline.

Choosing Between SSAT and ISEE: Key Points

The SSAT is administered by EMA and has three levels: Elementary, Middle, and Upper. The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE), administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), has three levels: Lower Level for Grades 5–6, Middle Level for Grades 7–8, and Upper Level for Grades 9–12 applicants. The ISEE consists of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and an essay.

Most member schools accept "SSAT or ISEE." The practical approach is to confirm which test each school accepts, then choose the format that is easier to take from your location. For detailed information on test formats and subject-specific strategies, see our SSAT and ISEE guide. The relationship between SSAT and domestic international school admissions is also discussed in our ASIJ overview.

Important Notes for Test-Takers in Japan

SSAT Middle and Upper Level tests are available in multiple formats: paper tests at testing centers, computer tests through Prometric, at-home testing (SSAT at Home), and Flex. However, SSAT at Home is only available to test-takers in the United States, Canada, or US territories (EMA SSAT Candidate Handbook 2025–26). If you are based in Japan, you will need to locate a paper test center or Prometric testing location. Specific testing centers within Japan have not been confirmed; please check the SSAT official test center locator at https://search.ssat.org/test-center-search.

TSAO notes that applicants may take the test multiple times and submit multiple scores if needed, but this is separate from whether EMA combines scores. Some schools, like Choate, independently select the highest scores across multiple attempts on their end. ISEE offers overseas Prometric locations and at-home testing during US time zones, though the current maximum number of attempts and pricing for applicants in Japan remain unconfirmed.

Common Challenges for Test-Takers Who Have Grown Up Outside English-Speaking Countries

From ELT's perspective on English instruction, applicants who have grown up outside English-speaking environments often struggle with grade-level vocabulary volume, the reading speed required to complete long passages within the time limit, and the fact that the unscored essay is still read by schools. Standard accommodations such as extended test time for non-native speakers are not mentioned in EMA's official materials. This underscores the importance of building a strong vocabulary and reading foundation before taking the test.

Understanding Score Benchmarks: What Score Is Needed to Get In?

The Ten Schools do not share a unified score benchmark. TSAO states that it does not set a minimum score. Loomis Chaffee deliberately does not publish the average scores of admitted students. Conversely, Taft officially posts the median SSAT percentile for the prior year's admitted class at 87th percentile (Taft official source, verified November 4, 2026). This figure applies only to Taft and is not representative of the Ten Schools as a whole. Remember that scores are read in context with academic records, interviews, and recommendations.

Understanding how your child's current English proficiency compares to what SSAT and English proficiency tests require is the essential first step in preparation planning. In ELT's consultations on overseas education and international schools, we help you assess this gap.

Preparation Timeline for Applicants Based Outside the US (Countdown Chart)

Application deadlines cluster between January 15 and February 1, and admission decisions arrive on March 10. TSAO recommends beginning school research and test registration in the summer of the year before applications are due, and building English language foundations should start even earlier for a manageable pace.

What to Do 2–3 Years Before Application: What Grade Should You Start?

If you are aiming for Grade 9 admission, you will typically apply in the winter of Grade 8 (approximately equivalent to second-year junior high school). English proficiency test targets—such as TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS 7 to 7.5—are not achieved in a short timeframe. Developing a habit of reading English books and having regular opportunities to speak English between upper elementary and first-year junior high school will ease the pressure during the application year.

What to Do the Year Before Application: When Should You Visit Schools?

TSAO recommends beginning school research, campus visits, and registration for standardized tests such as SSAT in the summer before the application year. Exeter begins accepting interview reservations in July, St. Paul's conducts campus interviews from June through January and online interviews from September through January, and Taft recommends taking the exam as early as possible with the option to retake if needed.

During the Application Year: The Timeline from Application to Enrollment

The key dates confirmed for 2027–28 admissions are as follows.

Source: TSAO Timeline and official Admissions pages of each school. Confirmed: November 4, 2026.

After acceptance, families proceed with signing the enrollment agreement, paying the deposit, and submitting health documentation. International students also complete procedures for Form I-20 (the enrollment certificate) required for student visas. Exeter requires new students needing F-1 visas to submit the documents required for I-20 issuance.

Grade Correspondence and Repeating a Grade: Is Entering a Lower Grade at a Disadvantage?

When a student completes the same grade level in Japan and then re-enters that grade level in the United States, this is called repeating. While a common policy across all ten schools could not be confirmed, Deerfield's 2026–27 course offerings list mentions "incoming repeat 9th graders," confirming that this type of admission exists. Since the decision criteria vary by school, it is most reliable to contact your target schools directly.

What International Families Should Consider in Advance

Beyond admission, families face the challenges of visa procedures, housing during vacations, maintaining home language literacy, and planning for university. It is important to discuss these matters as a family before enrollment, with an eye toward graduation.

Visa and Residency Procedures: What Visa Do You Need?

Students attending U.S. private secondary schools for academic purposes typically qualify for the F-1 student visa (U.S. Department of State). Upon acceptance to a SEVP-certified school, the school registers the student with SEVIS and issues Form I-20. After that, the student pays the I-901 SEVIS fee, submits the online form DS-160 in English, and applies for the visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Source: U.S. Department of State, ICE/SEVP, and Study in the States. Confirmed: November 4, 2026. Note that visa validity and the period during which a student may remain in the United States are separate matters.

Guardians and Housing During Long Breaks: Where Does Your Child Stay During Vacations?

It could not be confirmed that an in-country guardian (parental proxy) is uniformly mandated for all private boarding schools under F-1 regulations. Requirements vary by school policy, and the specific requirements for each of the ten schools have not been confirmed. Regarding long vacations, Choate explicitly states that the school closes during major breaks and advises families to budget for travel costs. Deerfield provides paid bus transportation for departures and returns during four vacation periods. How to spend Thanksgiving, winter, spring, and summer breaks should be confirmed with your target school before applying. If you seek external support with these procedures, the guide to choosing a study abroad agent is also helpful.

Maintaining Home Language and Post-Graduation Pathways: Can Your Child Return to Japanese Universities?

Time spent using Japanese decreases significantly while attending a boarding school in the United States. If you wish to preserve the option of attending a Japanese university in the future, it is reassuring to develop a plan for maintaining Japanese reading and writing skills before enrollment. Methods are explained in the guide to maintaining Japanese for international school students. For post-graduation pathways, see Pathways after graduating from international schools, and for U.S. university admissions, see the Digital SAT guide.

Summary

To the question "When should a child raised in Japan begin preparing for admission to a Ten Schools boarding school, what should they prepare, and what costs should be expected?" the answer is threefold:

• When: Applications are submitted in winter of Grade 8, with deadlines between January 15 and February 1. School research and standardized test registration begin in the summer before the application year, and building a strong English foundation starts 2–3 years before that.
• What: Five elements—academic records, standardized test scores, evidence of English proficiency, interviews, and essays with teacher recommendations—are prepared in parallel. SSAT is one of these elements.
• How much: Tuition at the ten member schools for 2026–27 ranges from $71,797 to $82,710 USD per year. When adding insurance, required fees, application and test costs, visa, and travel, budget for the total amount multiplied by the number of years of enrollment.

Ten Schools is not a ranking but a collective term for the ten member schools of an admissions consortium, and each school has different policies regarding testing, English proficiency expectations, and financial aid philosophy. We recommend selecting a school that matches your child by examining six key dimensions.

Planning for U.S. Boarding School Admission with ELT

ELT offers consultations on study abroad and international school placement. We help assess the distance between your child's current English proficiency level and the standards required for SSAT and English examinations, as well as interviews, and we work together to develop a preparation plan leading to your application. If you are uncertain about selecting U.S. schools or planning your preparation timeline, please use the information in this article as a reference and take advantage of our consultation services.