Lawrenceville School: Location, History, and Basic Facts

Lawrenceville School is a coeducational boarding and day school located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, about 12 miles south of Princeton. The school was founded in 1810 and serves students in grades 9 through 12, plus a postgraduate year. It enrolls approximately 800 students, with roughly 60 percent boarding and 40 percent day students.

The school sits on a 600-acre campus and is one of the older independent boarding schools in the United States. It is a member of the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Lawrenceville uses a residential college system, meaning boarding students live in one of several residential houses that function as smaller communities within the larger school.

Key Takeaways

  • Lawrenceville is a coeducational boarding and day school in New Jersey that accepts students in grades 9 through 12 and a postgraduate year.
  • The school charges tuition and boarding fees that vary by grade level and student status (day versus boarding), and financial aid is distributed through a separate process.
  • Admission requires submission of transcripts, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and an interview with the admissions office.
  • The school operates on a residential college system where boarding students live in houses that serve as their primary community on campus.
  • Lawrenceville's curriculum includes core academic classes, electives, and a requirement that all students participate in athletics, arts, or other activities.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Structure

Lawrenceville's cost of attendance varies depending on whether a student is a day or boarding student and their grade level. Boarding students pay tuition plus a residential fee; day students pay tuition only. The school publishes its current rates on its website, and these amounts change annually. Families should contact the admissions office directly for the most current figures, as costs are not fixed across all years.

The school offers financial aid to families who demonstrate financial need. Aid is awarded through a separate process from admission decisions — the school reviews financial aid applications independently. Families complete the CSS Profile or a similar financial statement to be considered. The amount of aid awarded depends on the school's assessment of family resources and the funds available in the school's aid budget in a given year.

Lawrenceville also participates in tuition payment plans that allow families to spread costs across the school year rather than paying in full upfront. Families can learn about these options and current costs by contacting the business office or admissions department.

How Admission Works and What Documents You Need

Admission to Lawrenceville requires submission of several documents and completion of an interview. Prospective students must provide official transcripts from their current school, standardized test scores (typically the SSAT or ISEE for domestic students), and written recommendations from at least two teachers. The school also requires a school report form completed by the applicant's current school.

After the school receives these materials, it schedules an interview. Interviews can take place on campus, virtually, or at one of several regional locations where Lawrenceville representatives travel during the admissions season. The interview is conducted by an admissions officer and typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Some students also complete a writing sample or short essay as part of the process.

The admissions office reviews all submitted materials and makes decisions on a rolling basis, though most decisions are released in the spring for entry the following fall. The school also offers a postgraduate year for students who wish to spend an additional year before college.

Academic Program and Course Requirements

Lawrenceville's curriculum requires all students to complete courses in English, mathematics, science, history, and a foreign language. Students also take electives in subjects ranging from art and music to computer science and economics. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in multiple subjects, and students can pursue independent study projects with faculty approval.

All students are required to participate in some form of activity outside the classroom — this may be a sport, a performing or visual art, a club, or another organized program. The school believes this requirement helps students develop skills and interests beyond academics. Boarding students typically have more activity options available on campus, while day students can participate in on-campus programs or pursue activities in their home communities.

The Residential College System and Boarding Life

Lawrenceville's residential college system divides boarding students into several houses, each with its own faculty leadership, traditions, and community identity. Each house typically accommodates 60 to 100 students across all four grades plus postgraduate students. Students live in dormitory-style housing within their assigned house and eat meals together in a common dining area.

Each house has a faculty member who serves as the head of house, along with additional residential staff who live on-site. These adults supervise study halls, organize house activities, and serve as advisors to students. The house system is designed to create a smaller community within the larger school and to give students a sense of belonging and support.

Boarding students follow a structured schedule that includes classes, meals, study time, and evening activities. Weekends often include trips off campus, social events, and time for rest. The school has policies regarding when students can leave campus and what activities are available during free time.

Athletics, Arts, and Extracurricular Activities

Lawrenceville offers varsity sports in football, soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, and track and field, among others. The school competes in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) and other athletic conferences. Students can also participate in club sports and intramural athletics if they do not play a varsity sport.

The arts program includes visual arts, music, theater, and dance. Students can take courses in these subjects, join performance groups, or participate in school productions. The school also has numerous clubs and organizations run by students, covering interests from debate and robotics to community service and cultural groups.

Because all students must participate in some activity, the school ensures that there are options for different interests and skill levels. Day students can participate in on-campus programs, though some activities may be scheduled primarily for boarding students due to campus timing.

Day Student and Boarding Student Differences

Day students at Lawrenceville attend classes and participate in activities during the school day but return home each afternoon. They pay tuition but not residential fees. Day students can participate in many of the same activities as boarding students, though some evening and weekend programs may be less accessible depending on commute distance and family schedule.

Boarding students live on campus and participate in the full residential experience, including evening study halls, house activities, and weekend programming. Boarding students typically have more spontaneous access to campus resources and social activities. The boarding experience is designed to create a close-knit community, and many students cite the residential aspect as central to their time at the school.

Both day and boarding students follow the same academic curriculum and are held to the same standards. The main differences are in housing, meal plans, and the extent of evening and weekend programming available to each group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What standardized test do I need to take to explore?

Lawrenceville requires either the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) for domestic students. International students may have different testing requirements. You should check with the admissions office about which test is preferred and when scores must be submitted.

Can day students participate in boarding student activities?

Day students can participate in many activities, clubs, and sports, though some evening and weekend programs may be scheduled primarily for boarding students. The extent of day student participation in evening activities depends on the student's commute and family schedule. You can ask the admissions office which specific activities are open to day students.

What is the postgraduate year, and who can attend?

The postgraduate year is an additional year of high school offered to students who have completed grade 12. It is designed for students who wish to strengthen their academic record, develop maturity, or prepare more fully for college. Admission to the postgraduate program follows the same process as regular admission.

How much financial aid does Lawrenceville give out each year?

The school distributes financial aid to families who demonstrate need, but the total amount varies by year and depends on the school's budget and the number of students who request aid. You can contact the financial aid office to learn about the school's aid policies and to discuss your specific situation.

Do I have to board if I live nearby?

No. Lawrenceville accepts both day and boarding students, and you can choose day status if you live within commuting distance. The decision to board or attend as a day student is yours to make based on your family's preference and circumstances.