Growing up, boarding schools in Nigeria have been seen as a place that instills discipline, independence, confidence, and quality education in children with great intensity. However, today, they are becoming dynamic in their educational methods, adopting modern parenting approaches for the holistic development of children’s well-being.
Parents today are not just looking for schools that guarantee good grades and strict discipline; they are searching for a balanced environment where children can grow not only academically but also emotionally, creatively, and socially.
This is why the choice of a boarding school is becoming more critical than ever. Here are some of the top boarding schools in Nigeria that parents should consider, along with how their methods align with modern parenting approaches.
Corona Secondary School (Ogun State)
Corona is a co-educational boarding school established in 1992, with over 600 educators, located in Ogun State. They are well known for producing confident and articulate students. The school employs a student-centered teaching style, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership development.
Digital tools are used in classrooms, and students are encouraged to balance academics with extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and social responsibility projects. This aligns with modern parents’ desire for children who are not only book-smart but also socially aware.
Loyola Jesuit College (Abuja)
Loyola Jesuit is also a secondary boarding school, which was founded in 1996. The private catholic secondary school remains one of the most respected boarding schools in Nigeria. It combines strong discipline with value-based education rooted in Jesuit traditions.
Their teachings encompass not only educational knowledge but also character development, leadership, and service to society. This method aligns with the desire of modern parents who want their children to be raised with values, morals, and principles while still excelling academically.
Atlantic Hall (Lagos)
Atlantic Hall is renowned for striking a balance between academics and creativity. The school adopts a blended learning approach, using both traditional classroom methods and modern digital learning tools. Students are encouraged to explore arts, sports, and leadership programs.
For modern parents, this provides reassurance that their children are well-rounded and grounded in every aspect of life. Most importantly, the children can discover their passions beyond academics.
Grange School (Lagos)
Grange offers a British-style curriculum that emphasises critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. The teaching methods focus on engaging students in discussions, problem-solving and projects. This method aligns with modern parenting values, where education focuses on preparing children for global interaction while ensuring they remain firmly rooted in their cultural heritage.
Hillcrest School (Jos)
Hillcrest is a faith-based school that combines Nigerian and American teaching methods. They offer strong academics but also pay attention to the emotional and spiritual growth of students. Parents who want their children to develop resilience, values, and confidence will find Hillcrest School to be an appealing option. Its community-style learning environment also reassures parents that their children are cared for holistically.
Why these schools align with modern parenting
The boarding secondary schools outlined above all share something in common: holistic education, strong parent-school partnerships, and technological knowledge that prepares them for the digital world. Most importantly, these schools instill character and values that are keenly felt, especially in Nigerian culture and society.
For Nigerian parents of today, the mindset of the boarding schools being a place to “send children away” has changed. They are focused on co-parenting with teachers and partnering with schools that share their exact vision of raising confident, independent, responsible, and future-ready children.
