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Finding the Best School
No one today needs reminding of how important a good education is. Parents everywhere naturally ask themselves the same question: which is the best school for my child? Yet finding the answer can be daunting. With so many options available worldwide, it is rarely a straightforward choice. That is because the question of “the best school” is always highly individual.
The Criteria That Define the Best School
Children develop very different personalities and interests from an early age. Some thrive through project-based learning, while others prefer books and structured study. For some, science provides the greatest challenge; for others, it is music, art, or languages. The truth is simple: there is no single school that is perfect for everyone. Each family must define its own priorities and decide which factors matter most.
That said, there are common markers that most parents agree on when judging a school:
- Success rates in final examinations
- Small class sizes
- Modern facilities and technology
- Quality and availability of teaching staff
- Range and breadth of subjects offered
- Extracurricular and enrichment opportunities
And finally, one subjective but vital element: the atmosphere. A school may have excellent statistics and facilities, but it only becomes the best school when children feel safe, inspired, and part of a real community.
Why the Best School Is Often a Boarding School
Boarding schools hold a special place when schools are compared internationally. That is hardly surprising: a boarding school is not just a place of learning, but also a home, a community, a sports club, and a social hub. For young people, it can be a place of discovery, independence, and friendship.
From an academic perspective too, boarding schools often rank among the very best. Many offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) alongside national diplomas, giving graduates seamless entry into universities worldwide. Smaller class sizes mean teachers can focus on individual progress and nurture both obvious strengths and other areas needing support.
What a Good School Means Today
In past generations, the phrase “better schools” often meant those attended by children from privileged backgrounds, preparing them for government, church, or corporate careers. Thankfully, such opportunities are now open to all.
The best schools today are those that foster talent regardless of background, offering equal opportunities to succeed. While some schools are still labelled “elite,” the modern interpretation usually reflects academic selectivity or outstanding outcomes, rather than social status.
The Best Schools Lead to the Best Qualifications
The daily experience of school matters enormously, but the final qualification is equally important. It often determines which universities students can access and, in turn, influences their future career paths.
Boarding schools in different countries frequently provide students with a choice of internationally recognised diplomas:
- In Switzerland, students may take the Matura or the French Baccalauréat.
- In the UK, A Levels or the IB are widely available.
- In the USA, students complete a High School Diploma, often with the option of the IB.
Such qualifications open doors at home and abroad. For example, IB graduates are welcomed at universities around the globe. In most countries, international diplomas are recognised officially as university entrance qualifications.
Immersion in Languages and Cultures
This is one reason why many families turn to international boarding schools when seeking the best. Students not only benefit academically, but also experience new languages and cultures first-hand. Living abroad, surrounded by peers from diverse backgrounds, accelerates both language acquisition and intercultural understanding.
For English in particular – the language of business, science, politics, and culture – such immersion provides an invaluable advantage for the future.
The Best Schools in the USA
The reputation of American education rests in part on its world-leading universities – Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Columbia, to name just a few. But the journey to these institutions often begins much earlier.
US high schools, especially boarding schools, prepare students for admission to top universities. Many are set up like small colleges, offering courses tailored to future academic pathways. Dedicated college counsellors guide students in selecting subjects to maximise their chances of entering elite institutions.
For example; Saint Andrew’s School in Florida successfully places over 85% of its graduates into the top 100 universities in the United States.
The Best Schools in the UK
Britain is home to some of the world’s most respected schools and universities. From Eton and Harrow to Gordonstoun and Wycombe Abbey, boarding schools across England, Scotland, and Wales combine tradition with innovation.
The best British schools offer:
- Academic rigour through A Levels or the IB
- Extensive subject choice, including unique specialist courses
- Strong values, often rooted in service, resilience, and leadership
- A rich extracurricular life spanning arts, sports, and community service
These schools do not simply prepare students for exams; they help them grow into confident, independent young adults ready to thrive at university and beyond.
FAQ: Finding the Best Schools
How do I find the best school?
There is no single answer. One must consider exam results, class sizes, subject choice, extracurricular life, and – most importantly – whether your child feels at home there.
Which countries have the best schools?
Switzerland, the UK, and the USA are among the countries renowned for world-class schools and boarding options.
How can a student get into the best schools?
Most have an application process, often including interviews and entrance assessments. For international schools, proof of language skills is usually required.
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How can we help you?
Julia Wilmes
Managing Director
Supporting families through these important steps in their children’s educational journey has become my heartfelt mission since founding Akademis. That is why it is especially important to me that we dedicate ourselves to every student seeking a boarding school with empathy and personal care.
