Your Boarding Pass To A Boarding School Adventure

The idea of a boarding school might feel unfamiliar to many Vietnamese families. Yet, if you've ever followed Harry Potter’s adventures at Hogwarts, the concept is closer than you think.

Simply put, boarding schools are residential institutions where students live and study during the academic year.

A Glimpse Into Boarding Life

Boarding schools have a rich history spanning centuries, with their modern form emerging in 16th-century England.

Originally established to teach Latin and promote religious education, these institutions adapted after the English Reformation to include a broader curriculum. Subjects such as liberal arts, humanities, law, mathematics, and logic became integral to their offerings. Over time, boarding schools transitioned into exclusive establishments catering primarily to the elite, characterized by high tuition fees and competitive admissions.

In the United States, boarding schools began appearing in the 18th century. Two of the oldest are West Nottingham Academy in Maryland, founded in 1744, and Linden Hall School for Girls in Pennsylvania, established in 1746, both of which continue to operate today.

A Pathway To Top Universities

Boarding schools today have become more inclusive, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds while providing a holistic education. These institutions go beyond academics, fostering independence and life skills through a wide range of extracurricular activities, community projects and encouraging students to be creative and more physcially healthy through sports and arts.

To help students excel in competitive university admissions—particularly at prestigious institutions like the Ivy League—many U.S. boarding schools offer rigorous academic programs. These include advanced subjects such as molecular biology, neuroscience, and finance, alongside Advanced Placement (AP) courses that simulate college-level learning, preparing students for future academic challenges.

Several boarding schools also emphasize personalized learning, encouraging students to take ownership of their educational journey with the support of peers and mentors. For example, Phillips Academy Andover achieves remarkable outcomes: in its 2022 graduating class, 142 out of 300 students gained admission to top 30 universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and MIT.

The Growing Appeal Of U.S. Boarding Schools For Vietnamese Families

The appeal of U.S. education continues to resonate strongly with Vietnamese families. According to the 2023-2024 Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education (IIE), over 22,000 Vietnamese students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. When including all education levels, this number surpasses 31,000, making Vietnam the leading ASEAN country for U.S. study abroad.

For families and students aiming to secure admission to top universities, boarding schools have emerged as a ticket to increase their chance to get admitted. These institutions offer a nurturing environment, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and robust college counseling services, equipping students to build strong applications and achieve their academic goals.

A Boarding Pass To Boarding School

To help families better understand life at boarding schools, Vietcetera has partnered with FindingSchool to create Boarding Pass, a series exploring eight premier boarding schools across the U.S.

Follow host Phoebe Tran as she embarks on a journey to each school, stepping into the life of a boarding student for a day. Alongside Phoebe are experts who know the schools inside out and current students who share exclusive insights and tips about boarding life—secrets only an insider would know.

Boarding Pass releases every Wednesday from December 11 on Vietcetera Youtube channel.

About Boarding Pass

Just as a boarding pass launches you on an adventure, the Boarding Pass series is your ticket to dive into the world of top U.S. boarding schools.

In this series, each episode you'll step into the shoes of a school student for a day, immersing yourself in the daily life, learning environment, and vibrant community these schools have to offer.

About FindingSchool

FindingSchool is a Boston-based edtech search engine that connects thousands of private secondary schools in the US and Canada with millions of prospective families globally. With more than 1.5 million annual visits, FindingSchool is the #1 site in the Greater China region. Recently, a fully localized Vietnamese version was launched to serve the fast-growing local market.