Boarding Schools in Kansas

What's Up in Kansas

This page features a list of boarding schools in Kansas (KS), USA.

Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named after the Kansas River, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native Americans who lived along its banks. 

Education in Kansas (KS), USA

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) mission statement reads, “Providing leadership and support for lifelong learning.” The Kansas State Board of Education consists of 10 elected members, each representing four contiguous senatorial districts. Board members serve staggered four-year terms. Every other year, the board reorganizes to elect a chairman and vice-chairman.

Kansas Statute charges the Kansas State Board of Education with the accreditation of schools. This process provides official recognition of the school as having met a defined set of standards. Current accreditation regulations in Kansas are based on a school accreditation model called Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA), approved in 2016. All public schools in the state of Kansas are required to participate in the state accreditation process. On the other hand, private and boarding schools are not required to do so. However, ALL private schools are required, through Kansas Statute, to register with KSDE.

Private schools and boarding schools operating in Kansas that participate in the state’s accreditation process are referred to as “Accredited Private Schools.” Private and boarding schools that do not participate in the state accreditation process are referred to as “Non-Accredited Private Schools (NAPS).”

The minimum Kansas boarding school graduation requirements include four credits of English, three credits of Mathematics, three credits of Science, 3.5 credits of Social Studies, one credit of PE, .5 credit of Health, one credit of Practical Arts, one credit of Fine Arts and 7.0 credits of Electives. A high school boarding school student should also pass state exams (ACT, SAT), complete forty hours of approved community service, and meet all district disciplinary and financial obligations to qualify for graduation from a Kansas boarding school.

Located in the heartland of the United States, Kansas is known for its Midwestern values and work ethic. The boarding schools located there showcase this as well, offering a variety of academic and athletic programs. Along with these programs, the schools also offer experienced faculty and staff, the latest in technology, and atmospheres that encourage independent thinking, empathy for others, and innovation. Full of cattle ranches, sweeping prairies, and farms, Kansas provides its boarding school students with an authentic cowboy experience. Not only do Kansas boarding school students receive top academics, but Kansas also gives students the chance to leave all types of distractions behind and focus on getting more in touch with nature.

Maur Hill Mount Academy View profile »

Considered a new kind of Roman Catholic boarding school, Maur Hill Mount Academy is located in Atchison and regularly has several hundred students enrolled at any time. The student body includes American children as well as those from numerous countries around the world, giving the school a diversity that is at times virtually unmatched. Tuition is viewed as being a bit higher than other comparable schools, but many parents seem to prefer the Academy’s emphasis on academic excellence and religious traditionalism. Combining its faith-based curriculum with modern technology, the school has gained a reputation for excellence in math, science, and information technology.

St. John’s Military School

Located in Salina, St. John’s is an all-boys school for grades 6-12. A military school that was founded over 125 years ago, it has a maximum enrollment of 231 cadets. With a faculty of 25, the student-teacher ratio is about 9:1, providing plenty of chances for individual instruction. The school’s goal is to help each student reach their full potential, and they do so by providing a regimen of military discipline combined with rigorous academics and interesting extracurricular activities. Students can choose from athletic programs, fine arts classes, or technology classes to unwind in their spare time. Many graduates go on to colleges and universities or serve in the military, and often return to the school to act as mentors or guest lecturers.

Thomas More Prep-Marian View profile »

This school, found in Hays, is a private Catholic school that offers a coed environment for grades 9-12. With 31 faculty serving just over 220 students, its student-teacher ratio of 7:1 is one of the lowest in the state. The school places an emphasis on learning about current events, and also has an excellent journalism program for those students who have a nose for news. In fact, the school has many distinguished alumni, such as Kansas Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer and journalist John Allen, both of whom have returned to the school to speak with students from time to time.