If You Were A Millionaire Which School Would You Have Chosen for Your Offspring?
While schools are usually affordable for the majority, there are some elite schools that remain reserved for very few. These elite schools have always fascinated the public while attracting the old money families. From the tudor-styled charm of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts to the elite Academia of the Dead Poet Society a fascination with these historic institutions has permeated pop culture. What makes these schools so coveted and so exclusive? What secrets lie behind their grand gates? Why do old money families send their children to the world’s most elite private schools?
Education isn’t just about hitting the books. It’s a cultural journey, a rite of passage and a social grooming ground. These institutions aren’t just schools; they’re cauldrons of a way of life that’s been passed down through generations like an heirloom Patek Philippe Watch. But what makes these schools so exclusive and crucial for old money families? It’s a complex blend, a cocktail of factors that makes them so intoxicating to old money families.
In these elite institutions, students are primed and ready to navigate the corridors of Power with finesse and savvy from day one. They rub shoulders with the offspring of the world’s power players. They build bonds over shared dorm rooms and cricket matches; relationships that later translate into business partnerships, political alliances and even marriages.
How these institutions remain exclusive to the core and only pursue in their eyes ‘The Best of the Best’? Firstly we’ve got the admissions process. As these schools aren’t just hunting for academic whizzes; they’re seeking well-rounded individuals. For instance, Institute LaRosa’s multilingual requirement reflects its culturally astute cohort. Similarly the Lawrenceville School looks for more than just good grades. Character and Leadership potential weigh heavily in their selection process. Secondly, the cost of admission is literally unaffordable for the commoners. The parents of LaRosa students fork out an eye-watering USD 130,000 annually; a figure that even outshines Harvard’s tuition costs. Beyond cost there’s the allure of legacy. Eaton College’s alumni list includes a whopping 20 prime ministers in addition to many Royals, past and present, including the next king of England Prince William. This is undoubtedly an institution steeped in old money tradition, a lineage that’s irresistibly attractive to elite families. Finally the facilities themselves are a marvel. The Lawrenceville school’s 700 acre expanse houses an observatory recording studio and a functioning Farm while many Swiss boarding schools for the elite such as Aiglon College and Gsstaad International School are perched in the picturesque mountains of Switzerland offering thrill-seeking opportunities to master the athletic pleasures of the upper crust such as skiing, horseback riding and tennis.
Consider for a moment that you have the funds ready to send your child to one of the elite schools. But which one to choose? Let us move on to a journey to the top elite schools across the globe to get a glimpse of what they have to offer.
Choate Rosemary Hall
Our journey starts with the Choate Rosemary Hall which is located at the idyllic town of Wallingford Connecticut with roots tracing back to 1890. Nestled within the roll call of Chote Rosemary Hall’s illustrious alumni are the Kennedys but the legacy isn’t limited to them. JFK himself roamed these hallways; lessons absorbed here later guided him to the Oval Office. The legendary corridors of Choate also shaped Paul Mellon, heir to the Mellon family fortune and philanthropist extraordinaire. His imprint on the world of art through the establishment of the National Gallery of Art can be traced back to his formative years at Choate. This comprehensive institution comes with a USD 63,000 price tag annually but for the chance to walk the same Halls as JFK and Bradley Stevenson it’s certainly an investment to consider.
Harrow School
Source:https://www.countrylife.co.uk/architecture/the-exquisite-architecture-of-harrow-school-and-its-evolution-over-the-last-450-years-239574
Next we hop across the pond to London to the famed Harrow school. This independent school has been molding the British Elite since 1572. It’s not just a school but a heritage site where history is written in the footsteps of its alumni. Winston Churchill paced its halls honing his leadership skills that would later guide Britain through the darkest hours of the second world war. An impressive roster of British PMs including the likes of Robert Peel and Lord Palmerston were groomed within these hallowed halls. Here students aren’t just educated but empowered and encouraged to flaunt their eloquence to command language and wield it with skill and finesse. Parents have to spend around USD 60,000 annually for availing the legacy of this school for their child.
Institute of Dem Rosenberg
Source:https://smapse.com/institut-auf-dem-rosenberg-switzerland/
Our journey now takes us to the picturesque city of Saint Gallen, Switzerland where the distinguished Institute of Dem Rosenberg resides in an environment characterized by snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes and a school campus that rivals the Grandeur of a Royal Estate. Here tuition fees soar over the USD 150,000 mark annually. It’s the epitome of exclusivity where students are shaped as well-rounded Global Citizens. Its alumni roster doesn’t disappoint either which includes the cyclist Giovanni Lombardi whose career was undoubtedly motivated by the milieu of his alma mater. There is also a royal essence in the list of alumni which includes the likes of Prince of the then Prussia Fredrich Karl and Christopher O' Neill, the husband of the Duchess of Sweden, who is also a famous financier. The school’s Global Perspective and extensive connections make it a prime choice for old money families looking to give their heirs a distinct edge in the world.
Lawrenceville School
Source:https://www.privateschoolreview.com/the-lawrenceville-school-profile
We now traverse back across the Atlantic landing in the idyllic town of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Nestled within this quaint setting lies the Lawrenceville School, an illustrious American boarding school that has been an intellectual haven for the old money elite since its inception in 1810. The school’s roster of former students reads like a who’s who of American High Society. The billionaire publisher and philanthropist Malcolm Forbes honed his financial Acumen within Lawrenceville’s classrooms. Michael Eisner, former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, walked these halls before leading one of the most iconic entertainment conglomerates. However, the school’s appeal extends beyond its notable alumni. Lawrenceville’s unique house system fashioned after its British boarding school counterparts weaves a tapestry of community and camaraderie. It’s a sentiment that transcends the tangible and intrinsic sense of belonging that no amount of money can procure. The cost for a residential student soars a little above the USD 75,000 mark annually
Eton College
Source:https://www.superprof.co.uk/blog/how-to-get-into-eton-college/
Now let’s venture to the heart of the United Kingdom, the place where tradition and prestige intertwine. Established in 1440 Eton College is not just a school; it’s an institution and a launch pad for the country’s future leaders. When it comes to private education in the UK Eaton stands unparalleled. Its prestige echoed across the globe. Eaton’s alumni list is eye-watering to say the least. It’s the old stomping ground for an astounding 20 British prime ministers including Boris Johnson. Eaton’s unique election tradition sets it apart. This rigorous intellectual challenge, an annual test of students’ academic prowess exemplifies the school’s commitment to fostering exceptional minds. All these amenities come at a cost of USD 60,000 annually.
Institut Le Rosey
Source:https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/modernity-and-sustainability-le-rosey-campus
Our journey comes to an end in rural Switzerland at the Institut Le Rosey.
Also known as the School of Kings, this Elite boarding school in operation since 1880 is as renowned for its multilingual focus as it is for its old money alumni which include members of the Rockefeller and Rothschild dynasties. Here students can indulge in a range of activities from competitive Sports to music with offerings ample enough to prepare children for the Royal Academy of Music. The annual cost for this all-encompassing education sums upto a staggering USD 130,000.
That is the end of our taste of the world’s most exclusive schools where old money families send their children. It’s a fascinating blend of tradition, prestige and a healthy dose of luxury. But what do you think if your bank account allowed it, which of these schools would you want to send your child? Keep the converstion going on in the comments.
