What are the best schools in the US for sailing?
Sailing, whilst not one of the most popular sports in the USA, forms an important part of private schools’ extracurricular provision across the northeastern US. These schools have some of the best facilities for sailing in the world. But the standard of the sailing program is but one of a number of considerations when choosing a school for your child. Here, we give our pick of the five best schools in the US for sailing, alongside their academic profiles.
Tabor Academy
Known as "The School by the Sea," Tabor Academy has a prestigious sailing program and offers students ample opportunities to sail in Buzzards Bay. The school has an impressive fleet of eighteen 420s and six FJs, and competes in the New England Schools Sailing Association (NESSA). Tabor provides a broad and challenging academic curriculum and, in keeping with its moniker, is particularly strong in the fields of marine and nautical science. The school prides itself on its dedicated faculty and small class sizes, which allow for personalised instruction and support, ensuring that students are well-prepared for college and beyond.
Location: Marion, Massachusetts
Principal: Anthony Jaccaci
Day or Boarding: Day and boarding
Pupils: 514
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 14-18
Fees: $77,000
Website: https://www.taboracademy.org/
The Severn School
Located near the historic Chesapeake Bay, The Severn School boasts a competitive sailing team with a strong tradition in the sport. Their sailors have gone on to compete at college-level for prestigious universities including Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth and UPenn. Their academic program features an innovative approach to education which prioritises the use of technology in the classroom to enrich student learning experiences. The Graw Innovation Centre provides opportunities for students to apply their learning in STEM subjects to real-life situations, an ideal preparation for future careers in science, engineering and technology.
Location: Severna Park, Maryland
Principal: Doug Lagarde
Day or Boarding: Day
Pupils: 906
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 3-18
Fees: $32,290
Website: https://www.severnschool.com/
Portsmouth Abbey School
Portsmouth Abbey School is a Catholic preparatory school situated on the shores of Narragansett Bay. Portsmouth Abbey offers students excellent access to sailing and a top-tier program. The school sails in the prestigious New England Schools Sailing Association, and boasts a fleet of twelve 420s. Academically, the school focuses on holistic education which encourages students to explore their chosen subjects in depth. Part of this is a focus on debate, which is encouraged through regular seminars and guest lectures at the school’s Hildegard Forum.
Location: Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Principal: Matthew Walter (Headmaster)
Day or Boarding: Day and boarding
Pupils: 350
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 14-18
Fees: $74,825
Website: https://www.portsmouthabbey.org/
The Lawrenceville School
One of the oldest preparatory schools in the US, Lawrenceville School was founded in 1810 as the Maidenhead Academy. It is a member of the prestigious Eight Schools Association, a group of leading US secondary schools. Although situated inland, Lawrenceville has a well-established sailing team with access to nearby lakes. The school regularly competes with other private schools in competitions on the East Coast. Their academic provision is among the best in the US, attracting young and dynamic teachers from nearby UPenn. The school places important emphasis on preparing its students for making a positive difference in the world, exemplified by its unique Hutchins Institute for Social Justice.
Location: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Principal: Steve Murray (Head Master)
Day or Boarding: Day and boarding
Pupils: 818
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 14-18
Fees: $79,500
Website: https://www.lawrenceville.org/
St. George’s School
St. George’s School, founded in 1896, is one of the leading preparatory schools in New England. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it is known among other things for its strong sailing program. The pride of their impressive fleet is the seventy-foot Geronimo. Students at St. George’s can combine a love of sailing with their natural curiosity and desire to explore, with sailing trips to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Their academic provision is no less impressive, with an innovative approach to interdisciplinary study enshrined in their Connected Learning curriculum, which offers unique courses such as Global Studies and Principles of Engineering.
Location: Middletown, Rhode Island
Principal: Alixe Callen (Head of School)
Day or Boarding: Day and boarding
Pupils: 382
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 14-18
Fees: $76,050
Website: https://www.stgeorges.edu/
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