15 Best Boarding Schools In Nigeria To Get Into | 2023

Best Boarding Schools in Nigeria: The education system, be it formal or informal, is a critical component of our growth as humans. In a world where knowledge and information are power, education has a significant impact on our lives.

Boarding schools are educational institutions where students live within the premises of the school facility while receiving formal education.

During the school section, students in boarding schools study and live with their fellow students and possibly teachers or administrator also with House/hostel mistresses and masters, particularly In charge of the affairs of the students living in boarding schools.

Some boarding schools also have day students who attend the institution by day and return off-campus to their families in the evenings.

More so, some boarding schools in Nigeria provide a key mix of comfortable and safe “home from home accommodation”, opportunities to broaden their co-curricular experiences, an extension of the academic school day, and social development.

Boarding schools can provide stability and the emotional space for students to think about their own development, a safe space to set the right pace for a child’s better future, giving the right environment and provided with the right facilities.

Boarding school practice in Nigeria

The practice of sending children, particularly boys, to other families or to schools so that they could learn together is very long-standing, recorded in classical literature and in UK records going back over 1,000 years.

And this practice has been fully adopted in Nigeria as well. The issue of boarding education at the secondary level has been one of controversy in Nigeria at least throughout the period since Independence.

From 1960 onwards the various authorities charged with the provision of secondary schooling have had to relate the educational legacies of colonialism, including the English boarding school model, to the needs and demands of a newly emerging and economically diversifying country.

A flashback at some of the early post-primary institutions in Nigeria such as King’s College, C.M.S grammar school in Lagos, Offa Grammar school, ECWA Girls Secondary School Omu-Aran, Ibadan Grammar School would reveal the pre-eminence given to boarding system in such schools.

Other early schools where the boarding system was emphasized were Hope Waddell Institute, Calabar, Abeokuta Grammar school, and Ijebu-ode Grammar school.

Most of these schools were boarding schools for the missions and the Government; they felt that if the child was developed along civilized lines, their daily lives must be supervised, controlled, and directed along proper lines.

Why should you send your Child to a Boarding school in Nigeria?

There are several advantages of enrolling in a boarding school, particularly the best boarding schools in Nigeria. Some of them are;

• Social Skills: Boarding schools in Nigeria expose children to many activities like social service, art, drama, and skill acquisition training amongst others. As they begin to find what they like and are good at, the students will develop more confidence as it helps develop students’ social skills.
• Discipline: It also installs discipline, as it is at the core of every Boarding school. Boarding schools have a way of providing a more regimented life for the students, ranging from meal time setting to study time, which is judiciously followed.
• Educational excellence: Every parent wants educational excellence for their wards. Since the students live on campus, they can reach out for help with their studies at any given time, and this aids in boosting academic performance.

What is the suitable age to enroll your child into a Boarding School?

Experts say that your child should be at least nine years of age before they attend boarding school. They need to be able to communicate thoughts and feelings clearly, have established strong parental relationships, and have a sense of individual identity.

Boarding schools manifest themselves in different ways in different societies. For example, in some societies children enter at an earlier age than in others.

In some societies, a tradition has developed in which families send their children to the same boarding school for generations.

One observation that appears to apply globally is that a significantly larger number of boys than girls attend boarding school and for a longer span of time.

How much does boarding school cost in Nigeria?

The fees of various boarding schools in Nigeria differ greatly owing to certain factors which include, the number of scholarships awarded to students, the average size of financial aid packages being given, availability of infrastructure and well-equipped facilities, etc.

These boarding schools are either privately owned or government-owned. With the former more expensive than the latter.

The average cost of a private boarding school could be around N 1,500,000 yearly and the government schools 800,000 nairas yearly.

The schools with the highest tuition fees which are regarded as expensive are mostly privately owned and have an undisputed high standard.

Best Boarding Schools In Nigeria To Attend 2022-2023

The best of things are usually more expensive and it’s no different in the best boarding schools in Nigeria.

It is also important to note that you cannot completely mention all the best boarding schools in Nigeria without having schools in Lagos and Abuja topping the list, as Lagos state is in the heart of Nigeria, and Abuja is the Capital Territory of the sovereign state Nigeria.

They (Lagos and Abuja) are both one of the biggest cities in the country in terms of infrastructure, which puts them in the position of having some of the most prestigious schools in Nigeria across all levels of study.

Below is a list of the 15 schools considered to be the best boarding schools in Nigeria; as some boarding schools continue to provide high-quality education as well as safety and comfort.

1. Lekki British School
2. Atlantic hall
3. Hillcrest School
4. Whiteplains British school
5. Greensprings School
6. Rainbow College
7. Grange School
8. Children International School
9. Avi-Cenna International School
10. Meadow Hall
11. PearVille Secondary School
12. Kayron International School
13. British International School
14. Day Waterman College
15. Greenoak International School

1. LEKKI BRITISH SCHOOL

Lekki British Senior School is the first British Boarding school in Lagos, and one of the top and most prestigious private secondary schools in Nigeria.

It serves preschool, junior school, and high school. There is a boarding facility for high school students. The school was established in September 2000 with a unique standard of studying and houses well-equipped laboratories, internet-connected computers, and air-conditioned learning rooms for students.

It costs about 4,300,000 million nairas( $19,500 U.S. dollars) per session and is situated in Lagos.

In 2013 Encomium Weekly ranked the school as being among the most expensive secondary schools in Lagos.

2. ATLANTIC HALL

Atlantic hall is a private coeducational secondary school in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria which holds about 600 students and is located about 70 kilometers from Lagos. It opened in 1989 in the Maryland area, Ikeja, Lagos State with dormitories close to Eko Hospital Ikeja, before relocating to Epe in the mid-nineties.

Atlantic Hall has a yearly tuition fee of about 2.5 Million per year and other expenses. The school has invested in several facilities to create a conducive atmosphere for learning. Some of these facilities include a well-equipped library, laboratories, tennis court, basketball court, football field, and medical center.

3. HILLCREST SCHOOL

Hillcrest School is the oldest boarding school on the list. It was established in 1942 and it is one of the best Christian Schools in Nigeria today. The school is located in Jos, the Capital Plateau State. It employs the American educational system.

While this school is not one of the cheapest in the country, it boasts of a lot of amazing facilities and great results.

The current 2022 – 2023 school fees of Hillcrest school stand at 2.6 Million per year. It covers tuition, feeding, medicals, house wears, uniforms, etc.

School fees are payable either in Naira or in US Dollars according to the Hillcrest School prevailing rate at the time of payment.

4. WHITEPLAINS BRITISH SCHOOL:

Whiteplains British school is a day and boarding international coeducation located in Jabi. It is a leading and reputable institution of learning with British standards of learning.

As well as quality educational services with a corporate credo effectively discharging professional educational standards. WBS was founded in 2007 by a group of entrepreneurial-minded persons within and outside Nigeria some of whom were either related by school experience or family ties.

They have one of the best boarding facilities with a conducive environment for the learning and development of children. Whiteplains British School is also among the most expensive schools in Nigeria with school fees of N3.6 million per year.

The school prides itself in its top available facilities, such as aerobics, Standard ICT Centre, Sports Complex/PlayGround, Good & Standard Library, Swimming pool, School Bus Service, and Good & Standard Laboratory.

The opportunities are endless for students who finished from Whiteplains British Schools as they stand a chance of continuing their university education abroad.

It has also received numerous awards such as the United Nations Award, Best Secondary School of the year, Platinum Award for Education Development in FCT, and Best Practice Award.

5. GREENSPRING SCHOOL:

Greensprings School is a group of schools that offer top-notch education from the elementary to post-secondary levels. It is a British international school located in Lagos, with campuses in Anthony, Ikoyi, and lekki.

They are driven by the enthusiasm to imbibe a westernized system of education into pupils of Nigerian backgrounds. Greenspring schools offer creche, preschool, elementary school, and secondary school.

Tuition costs differ depending on the program. Day students pay less than residential students. The annual school cost for boarding school pupils is N3,185,200.

The school’s boarding facility is well-furnished and properly maintained. Furthermore, the rooms in the hostels are quite spacious, well-illuminated, and conducive.

The school also offers extra learning classes, Sporting facilities, and events, a Modern common room, and Live-in house porters amongst others.

6. RAINBOW COLLEGE:

Rainbow College Boarding is located in Asese village, Mada, Ogun State. offer a highly secure and safe learning environment for all of their students to thrive in. Rainbow College Boarding, has established its campus as more than just a leading Nigerian boarding school; but has become a second home to all of its students.

The welfare of their pupils is at the forefront of their minds and they work tirelessly to improve their time with us whenever possible.

It has the settings of all-boys and has standard learning equipment and affordable school fees. With an average annual fee of USD. 14,555, including the provision of discount and installment pay.

7. GRANGE SCHOOL:

Grange School was founded in 1958 by a group of British expatriates, to provide education of equivalent standard to that obtains in the UK. School Fees are N4.5 million.

This is the second most expensive school in Nigeria. The school is one of the only three to be accredited by the UK’s Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS).

Grange House has 8 units for up to 48 girls and 48 boys aged 11 to 16. Units 1 -4 house the boys while units 5 – 8 house the girls. Each unit accommodates 12 students in a 3-room, 4 students per-room structure with an ensuite bathroom.

They provide a caring and supportive environment to enable students to develop their independence and take responsibility for their own actions. It is an opportunity to live independently but with a sense of working together as a team and participating in the community.

The school offers full-time boarding (students, only leave the boarding at half term, full-term holidays, and exeat requests).

Parents can also opt for Flexi boarding (Monday – Friday) or occasional boarding for those parents wishing to book a space on an ad hoc basis when unexpected work, family or school commitments create logistical challenges.

8. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL:

CIS is an outstanding international learning institution that is committed to setting the standard for world-class education, with a focus to enable students to become successful learners who enjoy learning as well as outstanding individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

The school comprises a pre-school, nursery, primary and secondary with over 25 countries represented in the school population but the largest majority of pupils are Nigerians.

The school follows a national curriculum of England, while children in the early years follow the national curriculum of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The school caters to children between ages two and half years up to sixteen years where children sit for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and GCSE. Equipped with the latest state of art learning facilities, children with special needs are also admitted into CIS.

The institutions boast of boarding facilities which include hostels with single or double rooms ensuite facilities, two ICT suites, an E-based library, three states of art science laboratories, two tennis courts, two full-size football pitches, a basketball court, three special purpose music rooms, full-size swimming pool and a host of other state of art facilities for conducive learning.

CIS opened in 2003 for its primary school section and in 2007 for its secondary school section. The school relocated to its own self-owned permanent site in September 2013. With an annual boarding and tuition fee of N8,543,000.

9. AVI-CENNA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL:

Avi-Cenna International School is an independent, non-denominational day and boarding school for boys and girls from age 2 to age 18. It is a government-approved co-educational British curriculum school located in the GRA part of Ikeja in Lagos State.

Founded in 1989, the school focuses on the “promotion of moral and ethical values” with the view of “developing interpersonal and leadership skills” of her students.

The school boasts of having one of the best boarding facilities in Lagos. Founded in 1989, the school is an independent school with a strong academic and pastoral tradition. With an Annual Full Boarding Fee of N1250000.

10. MEADOW HALL:

Meadow Hall offers the British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with excellent links with the Nigerian Curriculum. A co-educational institution founded in July 2002. It is one of the best boarding schools in Nigeria.

They are committed to raising excellent and Godly children that will attain their highest potential in life. The school has won several awards such as the 2015 National Robotic Competition and represented Nigeria at the World Robotic Olympiad in Doha Qatar, and Won the Junior Secondary School Swimming Competition at the 2015 Lagos State Ibile games with 8 gold medals and 2 silver medals.

At Meadow Hall College, your child would experience the best boarding experience you can ever get here in Nigeria and Lagos. The school arguably has one of the boarding school systems in Lagos.

The school is among the most prestigious and expansive private schools in the country, With an Average tuition fee per term of N501 000 – N750 000.

11. PEARVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL:

PearVille Secondary School is a private-owned secondary school founded in 2012 in South-Eastern Nigeria, Imo State.

Its campus is in an urban setting with a total enrollment of about 1000 students. The school includes grades 7-12 and operates a boarding program.

PearVille Secondary School offers its students the best contemporary school education that is according to International standards. Hence, it is open to both indigenous and international students.

The school is an all-boarding School with the aim of developing learners, who through self-discovery, inquiry, and collaborative learning, will prepare them for principled lives of leadership and social service.

If you plan to enroll your child in the best private secondary school in Imo State, Nigeria, then Pearville Secondary School is the answer. This is because the school offers great opportunities to its students in preparation for College/University.

In addition, the school has the following facilities; Academic Block, Administration Block, Library, IT/Media center, Auditorium, Hostels, Dining Hall, Football Pitch (FIFA sized), Volleyball court, Track & Race field.

That’s not all, the school has the following upcoming facilities; Swimming Pool, Chapel, Detached Apartment Blocks for Staff, School Tower, and Service Block. All of these are strategically put in place to give your child the best secondary school experience. Little wonder why it’s one of the best private secondary schools in Nigeria.

The school challenges its students to develop their particular analytic and creative capabilities by both inspiring their academic and moral curiosity and kindling their passion for discovery. With N300,000 – N500, 000 per term school fees.

12. KAYRON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL:

Kayron College is a modern co-educational Day & Boarding School poised to provide a perfect learning environment for students between the ages of 10&16.

The school equips students with the reality of how living and succeeding in an ever-challenging global economic community requires adaptability and flexibility with a variant skill-set, knowledge, and character.

The school is well equipped with; Science Laboratories, Art Studio, Music Studio, Foodies Lab, Vocational Studio, All-purpose Sports Centre, Basic Tech Lab, ICT Lab, an 800-seat theatre, and a Standard ICT Centre.

Though relatively new, Kayron International School is one of the best international boarding schools in Lagos state and Nigeria with a per-term tuition fee of N301 000 – N500 000.

13. BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (BIS):

BIS is a warm, vibrant, and successful co-educational school situated in the heart of Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria.

They provide a range of boarding options; full boarding, flexible boarding with Sunday evening to Friday afternoon in the boarding house, and weekends with families at home with personalized boarding arrangements for short stay periods when families need this support (dependent on bed availability).

Oniru Private Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos State, is home to the British International School. It was founded in the year 2001 and has since evolved to become one of Nigeria’s top boarding schools. This school is known as a top learning citadel that follows the British educational curriculum.

BIS, as it is known simply, has several facilities and pieces of equipment in place to guarantee that learning runs smoothly. Science labs, computer labs, multi-purpose halls, sports facilities, and a theatre are just a few of the facilities available. It is one of Nigeria’s most expensive boarding institutions.

Each student currently pays 5 million Naira per year in school fees, which covers tuition, school uniforms, textbooks, medicals, house clothes, boarding costs, and food. Students from the school have the advantage of being accepted into British schools to continue their education.

14. DAY WATERMAN COLLEGE:

Day Waterman College is a 500-student co-educational boarding school that was set up just for that purpose. The college is located in Asu Village, near Abeokuta, in the Nigerian state of Ogun, less than an hour’s drive from Lagos.

opened in 2008 with the aim of providing a world-class education to deliver future generations of leaders for Nigeria and the African continent as a whole. The college provides world-class facilities in a natural, serene, and focused environment.

These high-quality facilities and equipment, as well as access to safe recreational places, have been provided to assist the learning environment.

Day Waterman College, on the other hand, delivers an excellent education that fosters leadership qualities by focusing on each child’s potential to succeed in the global world. The college is a full Boarding school with a 3.7 million per year tuition fee.

15. GREENOAK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL:

Greenoak International School (GIS) is a top-standard school; the secondary school is located in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and was founded in 2008. The school operates a hybrid curriculum consisting of the innovative International Primary Curriculum (IPC), British/American Curricula, and the Nigerian curriculum.

GIS accepts children of all beliefs with decent values and offers a great boarding experience to students. The age range of students in the school is 5- 16 years around the world. The school tuition fee is N1.9 Million.

Many private boarding schools now offer rolling admissions based on available spaces. This helps students who are relocating or in situations where a public or private school is not ideal for them.

In some cases, however, there are hard deadlines imposed; Here are some basic application steps:

• Speak with the Admission Office
• Schedule a Visit
• Complete the SAO or School’s Online Application
• Request Recommendation Letters
• Application Letter for Boarding School (sometimes required
• Request School Transcripts •Complete the Essay
• Submit Test Scores (if required)
• Financial Aid Documentation (if applying)
• Accept an offer of acceptance and submit the contract and payment.

But check with each school to ensure you follow their process, Though the high tuition fee of a school doesn’t guarantee a good standard to give your child a quality education, these schools have over the years lives up to their hype, providing quality academic and Boarding life experiences for the students. And the parents in turn see their money’s worth.

Frequently Asked Question About Best Boarding Schools In Nigeria

Which boarding school is best in Nigeria?

it is actually difficult to pick one school as the best boarding school in Nigeria as there are numerous schools that are good in different aspects of learning. The best boarding schools in Nigeria on our list include:

• Lekki British School
• Atlantic hall
• Hillcrest School
• Whiteplains British school
• Greensprings School
• Rainbow College
• Grange School
• Children International School
• Avi-Cenna International School
• Meadow Hall
• PearVille Secondary School
• Kayron International School
• British International School
• Day Waterman College
• Greenoak International School

How much does a Nigerian boarding school cost?

With the average cost of a private boarding school being roughly N1,500,000 per year, government boarding schools cost N800,000 per year. The following is a list of Nigeria’s ten Cheapest Boarding Schools, as well as the fees they demand.

• Corona schools
• Greensprings Schools
• British International School
• Chrisland International School
• Grange schools
• Rainbow College
• Avicena International School
• Meadow Hall School
• Kayron International schools
• Loyola Jesuit College
• Capital Science Academy
• Whiteplains British school

What is the best boarding school in Abuja?

Abuja is the capital territory of Nigeria, as well as one of the country’s largest cities in terms of infrastructure. In addition, the city is home to some of the greatest boarding schools in the country. Here is a list of the best boarding schools in Abuja.

• Baptist High School
• Loyola Jesuit College (LJC)
• Glisten International Academy
• The Regent School
• Funtaj International School
• International Community School, Abuja
• Holy Rosary girls’ College, Abuja
• The Bells Comprehensive Secondary Schools, Ota

What are the Best Boarding Schools in Nigeria in Lagos State?

You cannot discuss all of the greatest boarding schools in Nigeria without including schools at the top of your list. Lagos state is home to some of Nigeria’s most prominent schools at all levels of study. The following are the top Nigerian boarding schools in Lagos:

• White Dove School (WDS)
• ST Gregory College (SGC)
• Holy Child College
• Rainbow College
• Emerald Schools
• Ostra Private Schools (OPS)
• Apata Memorial School (AMS)

What is the name of the best boarding school in Nigeria?

DOWEN COLLEGE, CHRISLAND COLLEGE, and HILLCREST SCHOOL are some of the best boarding schools in Nigeria.

How old do you have to be to go to boarding school?

There is no stipulated age for boarding school. However, educationists posit that 10-year-olds are ready to enroll in junior secondary school or boarding school.

Conclusion:

The boarding schools hoped to produce students that are economically self-sufficient by teaching work skills and instilling values and beliefs of possessive individualism, meaning you care about yourself and what you as a person own through their many top standard learning curricula and learning facilities.

And this amongst many others is what makes them some of the best boarding schools in Nigeria to get into 2022/2023.

I recommend that the state government should commensurate the effort of the federal government to establish at least one or two secondary schools with a full boarding system, and make them more affordable with a high-quality standard of education and learning facilities for students who can not afford that of private boarding schools; while schools should have a school bus to convey their students from long distances to improve their academic performance if they can’t reside in the school.

References:

• https://kiiky.com/pearlville-secondary-school/ pearlVille Secondary School: Admission, Academics, Tution- kiiky.
• https://edustuff.com.ng/expensive-schools-in-nigeria/ top 8 most expensive schools in Nigeria 2021 tuition fee and Location by MasterMind
• https://dwc.org.ng/ Day Waterman college
• https://www.edusko.com/blog/top-35-best-boarding-schools-nigeria-updated Top 35 best boarding schools in Nigeria (UPDATED)

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