Best boarding schools in Ireland 2024

Nowadays, prestigious boarding schools in Ireland allow to receive excellent education that meets high British standards. SMAPSE offers you 15 the best Irish boarding schools available for foreign students. Schools in Ireland provide excellent level of education that gives essential knowledge and skills for further studying.

Actually, all boarding schools and boarding houses in Ireland are very well equipped. Students have big and comfortable campuses, get an opportunity for sports and creativity. Practically, all students during their free time attend various clubs and coteries that help to develop their talents and abilities. There are a lot of different competitions where foreign students can take part, including the famous school orchestra review and the Duke of Edinburgh Prize. Participation in such events is a chance to prove themselves, to develop leadership skills, ability to take responsibility for their words and deeds, teamwork skills, cohesion and unity with the team.

Ireland is a country, which history is inextricably linked with the development of the international sphere of education, after all, even in the deep Middle Ages, the monks of Irish monasteries traveled to Ireland and other countries to teach children all over Europe. Today, Ireland is attractive to foreign students, at the same time the best private schools in Ireland offer high quality educational services to international students. 

Although, in Ireland local residents speak the traditional language of these places – Gaelic, or Irish, the middle schools in Ireland offer education in English, which is not inferior in quality to secondary education in Great Britain, USA and other countries. In this article we will consider the specifics of studying and enrolment in the best private schools in Ireland for foreign students. Also, on this page you can find the list of boarding schools in Ireland, its description, ranking, tuition fees.

To secure admission to a private school in Ireland, prospective students must provide the following documents:

• A copy of the student's passport or ID card

• School transcripts for the last two academic years, accompanied by quarterly or trimester grades for the current academic year

• Language proficiency certificates, preferably recently obtained

• Recommendation letters from teachers in English and mathematics

• A motivation letter (though not always required)

• Completed registration and school forms

• A Skype interview with the student or an in-person visit to the educational institution

Furthermore, students must be prepared to take internal school tests in mathematics and English, which assess their readiness for admission to a boarding school. Additionally, an interview may be required, either in person upon arrival at the school or conducted over the phone or via Skype. It's advisable to include any available diplomas or certificates that showcase the student's various accomplishments. Hence, advance preparation is essential for applying to boarding schools in Ireland, as most institutions conclude their application acceptance process in January of each year. Please feel free to reach out to SMAPSE experts for assistance and answers to any questions you may have.

Henrietta Lightwood

Marketing and Admission Director at Dukes Education

What subjects are most commonly chosen in recent years?

Mathematics remains popular, like other sciences. By the way, psychology is literally experiencing a rebirth as a subject in demand!

Ireland boasts approximately eight hundred educational institutions, with only one-fifth of them being private schools catering to foreign students. Unlike similar institutions in other countries, state educational establishments in Ireland admit international students, albeit with the requirement that pupils under 18 years old must have an Irish guardian during their stay in the country.

The premier boarding schools in Ireland have a legacy spanning centuries, boasting extensive teaching experience, proprietary teaching methodologies, and modern infrastructure and technical facilities. Typically, these private educational institutions are situated on expansive campuses equipped with all the amenities needed for comfortable study and living, including dining facilities, classrooms, libraries, sports stadiums, and athletic grounds. Regarding the age at which foreign students can enroll in secondary schools in Ireland, it is typically around 11 to 12 years old. The majority of foreign students opt for a 2-year study period during the senior cycle of secondary school in Ireland. Nevertheless, students of all ages can receive a high-quality education in the country.

Ireland has developed language schools that admit foreign students aged 12 to 18. These institutions offer a unique blend of English language classes and secondary school education. Here are some advantages of studying in language schools in Ireland:

• Language schools collaborate with several private boarding schools, providing students with a variety of choices.

• Assistance in securing accommodation is available through the language schools, which maintain lists of host families willing to accommodate foreign students.

• At language schools, students will receive English language instruction, expediting their immersion into the middle school educational process.

• Throughout the academic year, representatives from language schools maintain communication with students' parents and host families, facilitating the tracking of the students' progress.

The cost of secondary education at esteemed boarding schools in Ireland typically ranges from 16,000 to 32,000 euros annually. It's noteworthy that the tuition fees at the finest private boarding schools in Ireland tend to be more affordable compared to secondary education costs in the USA and Canada, among others, while upholding the same high standards of educational excellence.

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