Independent boarding schools are institutions that are not dependent on the support of the national or local government as far as its operation is concerned - and instead on its tuition collected from students, gifts or an investment from endowment funds. The term independent boarding schools and private schools have only similar meanings but the term does not include parochial schools which are dependent upon outside organizations. In Northern Ireland and England independent schools are more, thus are often tagged as public schools. In Australia the name independent schools is also used interchangeably with the private schools. In fact 85% of these schools in Australia have been affiliated with the religious sector. At least there are 1,078 independent schools in Australia that cater to 491,000 students.

The method of instruction in independent boarding schools is actually the same only with typical boarding schools. They have academic subjects. However, these academic matters are in balance with extracurricular activities which make this type of boarding school even more exciting. You can join dance group, theatre drama, student body government, music, and other extra-curricular activities.

In the US, these schools are members of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

The NAIS organization classifies independent boarding schools as follows:

- Independent boarding schools are not for profit organization and they have clearly-defined goals and objectives. It should have run the school actively even when there is not much profit as it is not a profit-oriented institution.

- Have individually-developed philosophy and mission which becomes the basis for the school’s educational program.

- Have a board of trustees which plan for the development of the school, set the school policies, and other plans for the schools to become competitive.

- A kind of institution that is committed for the development of young people by using its own resources only.

Read more: Kindergarten Boarding Schools