TL;DR: The Ten Schools are an association of ten elite Northeast boarding schools (Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Lawrenceville, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, Hotchkiss, Hill, Loomis Chaffee, St. Paul’s, and Taft) that collectively define the top tier of US independent secondary education. Founded between 1778 and 1914, these schools enroll approximately 7,500 students combined across grades 9-12 plus postgraduate years. Acceptance rates range from 13% (Andover, Exeter, St. Paul’s) to 34% (Hill); boarding tuition ranges from $69,370 (Choate) to $78,300 (Hill). The Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO) provides collaborative admissions outreach for families considering elite boarding schools. Strong applicants typically apply to 4-8 schools across selectivity tiers and choose based on fit, financial aid, and visit experience. For families navigating Ten Schools admission strategy or planning college applications during the boarding school years, schedule a consultation with Oriel Admissions.
What are the Ten Schools?
The Ten Schools are the ten elite Northeast boarding schools that comprise the Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO), a collaborative admissions consortium founded in the 1970s. The member schools are Phillips Exeter Academy (NH, founded 1781), Phillips Academy Andover (MA, founded 1778), The Lawrenceville School (NJ, founded 1810), Choate Rosemary Hall (CT, founded 1890), Deerfield Academy (MA, founded 1797), The Hotchkiss School (CT, founded 1891), The Hill School (PA, founded 1851), The Loomis Chaffee School (CT, founded 1914), St. Paul’s School (NH, founded 1856), and The Taft School (CT, founded 1890). Collectively, these schools enroll approximately 7,500 students across grades 9-12 plus postgraduate years.
The TSAO exists to provide collaborative admissions outreach for families considering elite boarding schools. The organization hosts joint information sessions in major US metropolitan areas, coordinates with feeder middle schools and independent educational consultants, and shares applicant communications during the busy admissions cycle. Membership in the Ten Schools is institutionally distinctive: while peer schools (Groton, Middlesex, Milton, Brooks, Concord Academy, Cate, Thacher, Webb, and others) maintain similar academic profiles, the Ten Schools represents the historically established peer set that most families researching elite boarding schools encounter first. For broader context on elite US universities’ acceptance rates, see our Ivy League acceptance rates analysis.
How do the Ten Schools compare on acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment?
The Ten Schools differ meaningfully in selectivity, cost, and scale. Acceptance rates range from 13% at Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, and St. Paul’s to 25-34% at The Hill School. Boarding tuition ranges from $69,370 at Choate (the most affordable in the peer set) to $78,300 at Hill (the most expensive). Enrollment ranges from 527 students at Hill to 1,150+ at Phillips Andover. Geographic distribution: four schools in Connecticut (Choate, Hotchkiss, Loomis Chaffee, Taft), two in Massachusetts (Andover, Deerfield), two in New Hampshire (Exeter, St. Paul’s), one in New Jersey (Lawrenceville), and one in Pennsylvania (Hill).
| School | Acceptance Rate | Boarding Tuition (2024-25) | Enrollment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Academy Andover | ~13% | $76,731 | 1,150 | Andover, MA |
| Phillips Exeter Academy | 13-18% | $69,537 | 1,106 | Exeter, NH |
| The Lawrenceville School | ~13% | $77,420 | 820 | Lawrenceville, NJ |
| Choate Rosemary Hall | ~16% | $69,370 | 860 | Wallingford, CT |
| Deerfield Academy | ~16% | ~$74,000 | 651 | Deerfield, MA |
| The Hotchkiss School | 16-18% | $71,170 | 600-630 | Lakeville, CT |
| St. Paul’s School | 13-16% | $71,800 | 542 (100% boarding) | Concord, NH |
| The Taft School | 16-19% | $75,250 | 600-609 | Watertown, CT |
| The Loomis Chaffee School | 17-20% | ~$74,000 | 742 | Windsor, CT |
| The Hill School | 25-34% | $78,300 | 527-539 | Pottstown, PA |
Source: Each school’s Office of Admission published rates 2024-25; institutional reporting via boarding school admissions aggregators including BoardingSchoolReview, FindingSchool, and Niche. Sorted by approximate acceptance rate selectivity.
Which Ten Schools have the strongest college matriculation outcomes?
All ten schools produce strong college matriculation outcomes, but matriculation patterns differ meaningfully. Phillips Exeter Academy leads HYPSM matriculation at approximately 19.09% of graduates, followed by Choate Rosemary Hall (17.89%), Phillips Andover (14.79%), Taft (12.47%), Loomis Chaffee (8.1%), and Hill (5.26%). Andover leads top-25 university matriculation at 27.51%, followed by Choate (21.27%), Exeter (17.13%), Taft (16.12%), Loomis Chaffee (13.33%), and Hill (11.84%). For broader context on elite US universities’ acceptance rates, see our Ivy League acceptance rates analysis.
Selective university admissions officers read Ten Schools applications “in a school group,” meaning they sort applicants from each school together and compare them against each other and against historical cohorts. This is structurally different from how applications from less established schools are evaluated. Within this dynamic, families should understand that strong Ten Schools matriculation rates are a function of both institutional preparation and student selection – the schools admit and prepare students who are competitive for elite university admission, not the other way around. Attending a Ten School does not guarantee Ivy or elite admission; the schools collectively admit more strong applicants than top universities collectively admit.
What distinguishes each Ten School from its peers?
Phillips Exeter Academy is distinguished by Harkness pedagogy (developed at Exeter ~80 years ago, now adopted by peer schools) and the world’s largest high school library. Need-blind admissions; free tuition for families under $125,000. Phillips Academy Andover is distinguished by the cluster system (5 communities of ~220 students each), the “Non Sibi” service ethos, and the largest enrollment in the peer set. Need-blind admissions with 100% need met. The Lawrenceville School is distinguished by the House System (10 houses for upperclassmen, similar to Oxford colleges), the Harkness adaptation since 1936, and proximity to Princeton University.
Choate Rosemary Hall is distinguished by its eight Signature Programs (Advanced Robotics, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Concentration, Capstone, Environmental Immersion, Global Engagement, JFK ’35 Program in Government, Science Research), the John F. Kennedy alumnus connection, and the most affordable tuition among Ten Schools. Deerfield Academy is distinguished by its traditional residential culture: academic dress code (blazers and ties), sit-down family-style meals, and the historic 450-acre Deerfield village campus. The Hotchkiss School is distinguished by its AP-free curriculum (abolished in 2021-22 in favor of inquiry-driven electives), the Niche #1 private high school ranking in 2025, and a strong environmental program.
The Hill School is distinguished by its founding role as the original American “family boarding school” (1851), the historical Princeton feeder connection, and the only Pennsylvania Ten Schools member. The fifth-oldest US prep school rivalry (Hill-Lawrenceville L’Ville Weekend) is institutionally distinctive. The Loomis Chaffee School is distinguished by its test-optional admissions policy (most Ten Schools require SSAT or ISEE), the unique “Island” campus at the confluence of the Connecticut and Farmington rivers, and the Innovation Trimester (I-Tri) signature program. St. Paul’s School is distinguished by its 100% boarding model (unique among Ten Schools peers), the 2,000-acre campus (largest in the peer set), and its Episcopal heritage. The Taft School is distinguished by its service motto (“Not to be served but to serve”), the extensive athletic facilities (Architectural Digest named the campus the most beautiful private high school in Connecticut), and the Hotchkiss-Taft athletic rivalry.
How should families build a Ten Schools application portfolio?
Most families pursuing Ten Schools apply to 4-8 boarding schools across selectivity tiers. The strategic baseline is to include at least one “reach” school (Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover, Lawrenceville, or St. Paul’s – all at 13-16% acceptance), one or two “match” schools (Choate, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Taft – all at 16-19%), and at least one “likely” school (Hill or Loomis Chaffee – at 17-34%). Families should also typically include 1-2 strong non-Ten Schools peer institutions (such as Groton, Middlesex, Milton, Concord Academy, Cate, or Thacher) to broaden the application pool. For school-list construction principles, see our reach, match, and safety school guide.
Application timing matters: Phillips Exeter, St. Paul’s, Choate, Hotchkiss, Loomis Chaffee, Taft, Lawrenceville, and Deerfield typically have January 15 deadlines. Phillips Andover has a February 1 deadline. Hill has a January 31 deadline. All schools accept the Gateway to Prep School Application (the recommended common application) or the Standard Application Online (SAO). All require school transcripts from current and prior two years, two to three teacher recommendations, a student essay, parent statement, and admission interview. Most require SSAT or ISEE standardized test scores, but Loomis Chaffee is notably test-optional for most domestic applicants. Decisions are typically released on March 10.
What financial aid is available at the Ten Schools?
All ten schools operate need-based financial aid programs and commit to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted families. Phillips Exeter Academy and Phillips Academy Andover operate need-blind admissions (financial need is not a factor in the admission decision); other Ten Schools members operate need-aware admissions but commit to meeting need for admitted students. The percentage of students receiving aid varies: Phillips Andover (47%), Phillips Exeter (45%), Hotchkiss (37%), Choate (35%), Taft (35-36%), St. Paul’s (35-40%), Deerfield (30-35%), Hill (33%), Loomis Chaffee (~30%). Average aid grants typically cover 60-80% of tuition for families receiving partial aid.
Phillips Exeter Academy is uniquely transparent about income thresholds: families with household income under $125,000 pay zero tuition (raised from $75,000 in 2024). Other Ten Schools members do not publish specific income thresholds but typically provide full or near-full aid to families with household incomes under approximately $100,000, with partial aid extending to families significantly above that threshold based on demonstrated financial need. Hotchkiss has stated a goal of having half the student body on financial aid by 2028 – among the most ambitious aid expansion targets in independent secondary education. For families weighing the broader value of elite educational pathways, see our ROI analysis on elite education.
How do Ten Schools compare to other elite boarding schools?
The Ten Schools represent the historically established peer set of elite Northeast boarding schools, but they do not exhaust the universe of strong US boarding schools. Other institutionally peer schools include Groton (MA, founded 1884), Middlesex (MA, founded 1901), Milton Academy (MA, founded 1798), Concord Academy (MA, founded 1922), Brooks (MA, founded 1926), and the West Coast peer set including Cate (CA, founded 1910), Thacher (CA, founded 1889), and Webb (CA, founded 1922). The Eight Schools Association (an overlapping but distinct organization) includes Andover, Deerfield, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Northfield Mount Hermon, and St. Paul’s.
From an admissions strategy perspective, the Ten Schools designation matters less than institutional fit, financial aid offers, and the substantive academic and residential experience each school provides. Families should evaluate each school on its merits rather than focusing primarily on the Ten Schools brand. The collaborative admissions outreach that the TSAO provides is helpful at the prospective-applicant stage; once a family has applied and is comparing admissions offers, school-specific characteristics (curriculum, residential culture, financial aid, geographic accessibility, athletic and arts offerings, peer community) become the determinative factors.
What is the application timeline for Ten Schools admission?
The Ten Schools application cycle runs on a defined annual timeline. In summer of the year prior to entry, families typically begin researching schools, attending information sessions (often co-hosted by multiple Ten Schools members), and scheduling visit days. By fall of the prior academic year, families complete the Gateway to Prep School Application or SAO, request transcripts, secure teacher recommendations, schedule SSAT or ISEE testing (typically October-December), and schedule admission interviews. Applications are due in mid-January or early February depending on the school. Decisions release on March 10. Admitted-student programming runs through March and April, with enrollment deposits due in mid-April.
Families should plan for the application process to start at least 12-15 months before intended entry. Strong applicants typically take the SSAT once with thorough preparation rather than multiple times. On-campus interviews are strongly preferred when feasible because they pair with campus tours and provide the strongest demonstrated-interest signal. The Ten Schools admissions cycle is high-stakes for affluent families: families applying to elite boarding schools often coordinate with independent educational consultants, but the application work itself – essays, interviews, transcript management, recommendation requests – remains the family’s responsibility.
How does Oriel Admissions help families navigate Ten Schools admission?
Oriel Admissions advises families nationwide on elite university admissions strategy, including families whose children are currently attending Ten Schools members or whose children are applying to college during or after Ten Schools years. While the Ten Schools themselves provide robust College Counseling Offices, independent advising can supplement school-based counseling – particularly around school list construction, essay strategy, the broader competitive landscape, and the specific positioning of Ten Schools applicants in selective university admissions committees.
Independent advising is especially valuable for families navigating the transition from Ten Schools applications to college applications, families considering Ten Schools mid-application-cycle decisions, and families whose Ten Schools children are aiming for the most selective US universities. For families considering Ten Schools applications or planning college applications during the Ten Schools years, our team includes former admissions officers from leading Ivy League and top-ranked institutions. For school-list construction principles, see our reach, match, and safety school guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ten Schools
The Ten Schools are a long-standing consortium of elite American boarding schools: Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, The Hotchkiss School, The Lawrenceville School, Loomis Chaffee, St. Paul’s School, The Taft School, and The Hill School. They formed the group, the Ten Schools Admission Organization, to coordinate admissions outreach, and together they represent some of the most selective secondary schools in the country.
Most of the Ten Schools sit in the Northeast. Connecticut is home to four of them (Choate, Hotchkiss, Loomis Chaffee, and Taft); Massachusetts hosts Andover and Deerfield; New Hampshire has Exeter and St. Paul’s; Lawrenceville is in New Jersey; and Hill is in Pennsylvania. The cluster reflects the historic concentration of elite American boarding schools across New England and the Mid-Atlantic, though they recruit students nationally and internationally.
It varies by school; most of the Ten Schools are primarily residential but also enroll day students who live nearby, while a few are more heavily boarding with limited day spots. Day enrollment is usually open only to families within commuting distance. Because the residential experience is central to these schools, boarding students often make up the large majority, so families wanting a day option should confirm each school’s specific policy and availability.
There is no fixed cutoff, but competitive applicants typically score in the top percentiles, often the 80th to 95th percentile or higher on the SSAT, given how selective these schools are. A strong score supports an application but does not guarantee admission, since the schools weigh transcripts, recommendations, interviews, and fit heavily. Applicants below the typical range need other exceptional strengths to remain competitive at this tier.
The most common entry points are 9th grade (called Third Form at some schools) and 10th grade, with 9th grade offering the largest number of openings. Some schools also admit a smaller number of students in 11th grade or as repeat-year (postgraduate) students. Because most spots fill at 9th grade and continuing students stay through graduation, later entry points are more competitive given how few seats open up.
Yes; the Ten Schools actively enroll international students and provide visa support for those admitted, and international applicants make up a meaningful share of each class. International candidates typically submit additional materials such as English-proficiency test scores (like the TOEFL) alongside the standard application. Admission is highly competitive for international applicants given strong global demand, so a compelling overall profile matters as much as test scores.
Both are consortia of elite boarding schools with overlapping membership, but they are distinct organizations. The Ten Schools Admission Organization is an older admissions-focused group of ten schools, while the Eight Schools Association is a separate alliance of eight highly selective schools that coordinate on broader institutional matters. Several schools belong to both, which causes confusion, but the groupings serve different purposes and have different rosters.
The Ten Schools are known for small classes and low student-to-faculty ratios, commonly around 5:1 to 7:1, enabling discussion-based teaching such as Exeter’s signature Harkness method around a seminar table. Class sizes typically run in the low double digits or smaller. This intimate scale, combined with residential faculty who live among students, is a defining feature these schools use to justify their cost and selectivity.
Sources: Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO); Gateway to Prep School Application; each school’s Office of Admission published rates and matriculation data 2024-25; Boarding School Review institutional profiles; FindingSchool matriculation data; National Center for Education Statistics; SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test).
About Oriel Admissions
Oriel Admissions is a Princeton-based college admissions consulting firm advising families nationwide on elite university admissions strategy. Our team includes former admissions officers from leading Ivy League and top-ranked institutions. To discuss your family’s admissions strategy, schedule a consultation.
