Buffalo Seminary Photo - SEM is located in the heart of the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, just steps from cafes, shops and art galleries. As an urban boarding school, SEM students enjoy the culture, entertainment and shopping that only a city can offer.

Most Selective Boarding Schools

Among "All-Girls Schools", view the boarding schools with the lowest acceptance rates (2026).
Acceptance rates listed below reflect the average rate of acceptance for all applicants (boarding and day applicants) in the previous year.
Keep in mind that acceptance rates may be lower or higher than the average acceptance rate depending on: what grade you are applying for, whether you are a boarding applicant or day student applicant, and the time of year you are applying.
Schools typically have the most openings for freshmen and sophomores (many schools do not accept incoming seniors), so applying for entrance into 9th or 10th grade may improve your chances of admission.
Acceptance rates between boarding applicants and day student applicants may differ (i.e., schools in certain areas may a higher ratio of day student applicants to day student openings, versus boarding applicants to boarding openings; the acceptance rate of some schools will actually be lower for day applicants and higher for boarding applicants).
Many, but not all, schools will accept applications after application deadlines, but admission generally becomes more difficult.
Acceptance Rate Range: 36% 90% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 61%

Lowest Acceptance Rates

Among All-Girls Schools (out of 14 schools)

Sorted by range (alphabetically within range)
Boarding School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11
Emma Willard School
Emma Willard School Photo
All-Girls
(9)
Acceptance Rate: 35%-40%
Grades: 9-12, PG
285 Pawling Avenue
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 833-1320
Rank: #22
Oldfields School
Oldfields School Photo - Oldfields School`s Mission is to embrace each student`s authentic self, educate through collaboration, empower the individual voice, and inspire confidence and continual growth, leading to a life of purpose.
All-Girls
(12)
Acceptance Rate: 40%-45%
Grades: 8-12, PG
1500 Glencoe Road
Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152
(443) 662-1009
Rank: #3-43.-4
The Ethel Walker School
The Ethel Walker School Photo - Beaver Brook Building - This building houses many of our academic classes as well as administrative offices, meeting spaces, art rooms, and our computer lab.
All-Girls
Acceptance Rate: 45%-50%
Grades: 7-12, PG  | 6-12, PG (day)
230 Bushy Hill Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 408-4200
Rank: #3-43.-4
Miss Porter's School
Miss Porter's School Photo
All-Girls
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 45%-50%
Grades: 9-12
60 Main Street
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 409-3530
Rank: #5-75.-7
Grier School
Grier School Photo
All-Girls
(6)
Acceptance Rate: 50%-55%
Grades: 7-12, PG  | 5-12, PG (day)
2522 Grier School Road
Tyrone, PA 16686
(814) 684-3000
Rank: #5-75.-7
The Madeira School
The Madeira School Photo - Capitol Hill internships in the offices of senators and representatives are a hallmark of the junior year at Madeira
All-Girls
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 50%-55%
Grades: 9-12
8328 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 556-8273
Rank: #5-75.-7
St. Timothy's School
St. Timothy's School Photo - Completed in 2012, Dixon Hall is our state-of-the-art academic building. The technology-rich facility features the Taft Lecture Hall, the Coleman World Languages and Cultures Center, and a Center for Learning and Teaching.
All-Girls (Episcopal)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 50%-55%
Grades: 9-12, PG
8400 Greenspring Avenue
Stevenson, MD 21153
(410) 486-7401
Rank: #88
Dana Hall School
Dana Hall School Photo - The Dana Hall Dragons are ready to roar.
All-Girls
(6)
Acceptance Rate: 55%-60%
Grades: 9-12  | 5-12 (day)
45 Dana Road
Wellesley, MA 02482
(781) 489-1331
Rank: #99
Westover School
Westover School Photo
All-Girls
(12)
Acceptance Rate: 60%-70%
Grades: 9-12
1237 Whittemore Rd.
Middlebury, CT 06762
(203) 577-4521
Rank: #10-1410.-14
Academy of the Holy Family
Academy of the Holy Family Photo - Ambassadors Club
All-Girls (Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: >70%
Grades: 9-12
54 W. Main Street Box 691
Baltic, CT 06330
(860) 822-6279
Rank: #10-1410.-14
Buffalo Seminary
Buffalo Seminary Photo - Our oldest tradition may be forward thinking but we are anchored in many other traditions too. Roses and white dresses for commencement. Our Social & Academic Honor Code. Morning Meeting to start the day. ..
All-Girls
Acceptance Rate: >70%
Grades: 9-12, PG
205 Bidwell Parkway
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 885-6780
Rank: #10-1410.-14
Miss Hall's School
Miss Hall's School Photo - A talented, supportive community of learners awaits you at MHS. Our faculty are dedicated mentors who are passionate about their subjects and creative in their teaching, unafraid to ditch the textbook in favor of collaborative, project-based learning.
All-Girls
(4)
Acceptance Rate: >70%
Grades: 9-12, PG
492 Holmes Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-1300
Rank: #10-1410.-14
St. Margaret's School
St. Margaret's School Photo - College Preparedness: Challenge yourself with a collaborative STEAM curriculum and rigorous academics, including Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses to start earning college credit. Our college counselor will help you to navigate the different colleges and degree fields to best prepare you for life after graduation from St. Margaret's.
All-Girls (Episcopal)
(7)
Acceptance Rate: >70%
Grades: 8-12, PG
PO Box 158, 444 Water Lane
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-3357
Rank: #10-1410.-14
Saint Mary's School
Saint Mary's School Photo - At Saint Mary's School, girls take center stage. We know girls and we know the all-girl learning environment at Saint Mary's School inspires girls to step outside their comfort zone, engage their minds, amplify their voices, and discover who they are and who they want to become!
All-Girls (Episcopal)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: >70%
Grades: 9-12
900 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 424-4100

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