Top U.S. Boarding Schools with eSports Programs: Competitive Gaming Meets Education
As part of our ongoing series on innovative programs at U.S. boarding schools, this article highlights institutions offering competitive eSports opportunities. With thousands of high schools and hundreds of colleges now supporting eSports, it is rapidly becoming a structured part of modern education rather than a passing trend.
When implemented effectively, eSports helps students develop critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and digital skills, while also opening pathways to STEM fields, scholarships, and future careers in technology and media.
Below is a curated list of boarding schools with eSports programs. The schools are not ranked, and all information is provided directly by each institution and compiled by the FindingSchool team. This article is shared by James Ramsdell, an international education expert at FindingSchool.
South Kent School – South Kent, Connecticut
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School Site: http://www.southkentschool.org
Admission Contact: admissions@southkentschool.org
South Kent School offers a competitive extracurricular esports program for students in grades 9–12. The program is structured similarly to traditional athletics, emphasizing teamwork, strategy, communication, and leadership while maintaining strong academic expectations and responsible digital habits.
Since launching in January 2025, the program has grown steadily and competes in organized leagues such as the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF). Students also participate in in-house tournaments and develop technical skills related to streaming technology, game analytics, and gaming hardware.
Cheshire Academy – Cheshire, Connecticut
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School Site: https://cheshireacademy.org/
Admission Contact: admission@cheshireacademy.org
Cheshire Academy is in its third year of offering an afternoon eSports program for students in grades 9 through postgraduate. The coeducational team practices daily after school and competes in the New England Independent School eSports League (NEIS). The program is open to students of all skill levels, although not every participant competes in interscholastic matches.
Each year, approximately 12 students participate in the program, with multiple teams formed depending on the game title and level of competition. Cheshire Academy has experienced impressive success in regional competition. During the 2024–2025 season, the school completed undefeated seasons and won championships in both Rocket League and League of Legends. The teams also finished second and third in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, helping Cheshire secure the overall NEIS league crown.
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At Cheshire Academy, eSports is treated as a full sport within the school day schedule. Students meet regularly for practice and competition, and the program adapts to student interest by supporting different titles and skill levels each year. The school provides multiple dedicated spaces for practice in the afternoons, and students may also use their own gaming setups with ethernet connections to ensure stable performance during matches.
Worcester Academy – Worcester, Massachusetts
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School Site: http://www.worcesteracademy.org
Admission Contact: admission@worcesteracademy.org
At Worcester Academy, the Esports Club is a major student organization that provides official activity credit for participants. The club includes enthusiastic members from grades nine through twelve and meets regularly during the school year to practice, communicate, and develop strategies for upcoming competitions.
Currently, the club includes 21 students, and depending on the season, two or three teams participate in competitive matches held after school. Students compete primarily in the PlayVS High School Esports League, with plans to expand to additional leagues in the future so more students can participate across different game titles.
Worcester Academy’s teams have achieved strong results in competition, including first-place finishes in Apex Legends and Counter-Strike 2. The Overwatch 2 team also advanced to the second round of the league playoffs.
The Esports Club emphasizes inclusivity and welcomes students who are new to competitive gaming. Beyond league play, the club organizes campus events such as school-wide Clash Royale tournaments that engage the broader student community. Members also coordinate through a dedicated Discord channel and stream competitive matches on Twitch, creating opportunities for students to develop skills in communication, event organization, and digital media.
Gilmour Academy – Gates Mills, Ohio
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School Site: http://www.gilmour.org
Admission Contact: admission@gilmour.org
Gilmour Academy established its eSports program during the 2023–2024 school year as an extracurricular competitive opportunity for students in grades 8 through 12. The program focuses on building communication, teamwork, and sportsmanship while providing structured competition for students who may not participate in traditional athletic programs.
The program currently includes a core group of eight students and fields one primary team that participates at the club or varsity level depending on season eligibility. Students compete through the EsportsOhio league, which allows high school students to engage in organized statewide competitions.
At present, the team competes in Overwatch 2 and is exploring the possibility of adding League of Legends in the future as student interest continues to grow. The program has established a stable participation base and benefits from strong administrative support within the school.
Students practice and compete in a dedicated space located in the library alcove, where six computers are available for team use. This environment allows students to train together in a structured and supervised setting while developing leadership, collaboration, and competitive gaming skills.
McCallie School – Chattanooga, Tennessee
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School Site: http://www.mccallie.org
Admission Contact: Admission@mccallie.org
McCallie School’s eSports program provides students with the opportunity to participate in organized, team-based video game competitions while developing communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills. The program primarily serves upper school students in grades 9 through 12 and competes against other schools in structured leagues and tournaments.
Approximately 15 to 30 students participate in the program each year. Teams are organized by game title and season, allowing students to compete in multiple leagues and events throughout the academic year. Competitions include PlayVS matches as well as regional and local tournaments.
A key focus of McCallie’s program is character development. Students are expected to demonstrate integrity, respect, and sportsmanship while competing. Practices emphasize teamwork and strategic communication, helping students build skills that are transferable beyond gaming.
The program also provides an inclusive competitive pathway for students who may not participate in traditional athletics but still want to represent their school in a structured team environment. Students practice in a dedicated eSports room located within the school’s Student Athletics Center game room.
Saint Bede Academy – Peru, Illinois
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School Site: http://www.st-bede.com
Admission Contact: mwagner@st-bede.com
Saint Bede Academy offers a competitive eSports program open to students in grades 9 through 12. The program was designed to provide structured competition while helping students develop teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, and responsible digital citizenship.
Approximately 25 to 35 students participate each year, with teams organized based on game titles and league participation. Students represent Saint Bede Academy in several organized leagues and associations, including PlayVS, the Illinois High School Esports Association (IHSEA), and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which recognizes esports as an official high school activity in the state.
The program has achieved notable competitive milestones. Four years ago, the Saint Bede team qualified for state-level competition in NBA 2K, marking a major achievement for the program. Students have also competed in regional tournaments for Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and Valorant, gaining experience in higher-level competitive environments.
Although Saint Bede Academy does not currently offer a robotics program, its esports initiative aligns closely with the school’s STEM curriculum. Students develop problem-solving skills, data analysis abilities, and strategic thinking through competitive play.
The school supports the program with a dedicated set of high-performance computers located in its computer lab. These machines are optimized for competitive gaming and provide reliable performance, low latency, and a supervised environment for both practices and matches.
Students often describe the program as both competitive and inclusive. It allows them to represent their school in organized leagues while building confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of teamwork.
‘Iolani School – Honolulu, Hawai‘i
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School Site: http://www.iolani.org
Admission Contact: Boarding@iolani.org
‘Iolani School hosts one of the largest scholastic esports programs in the country. The program includes more than 300 student members and focuses on combining competitive gaming with academic achievement and leadership development.
The esports club is open to students in grades 7 through 12, while competitive teams are primarily composed of students in grades 9 through 12. Each year, between 50 and 75 students actively compete on multiple teams across a wide range of game titles.
‘Iolani’s teams compete at both the state and national levels through organizations such as the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) and PlayVS. The school’s League of Legends team achieved major success by winning the HHSAA state championship in both 2024 and 2025.
The program is also known for hosting the annual ‘Iolani Esports Invitational, a tournament that brings together teams from Hawaii and the mainland United States. The program emphasizes student leadership, with many students taking responsibility for team management, broadcasting, casting, and social media production.
Students participate in a comprehensive program that extends beyond gameplay. They gain experience in areas such as IT and computer repair, broadcasting, content creation, and team communication. Participants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, reinforcing the program’s commitment to balancing academic performance with competitive gaming.
‘Iolani supports esports with a dedicated, state-of-the-art arena equipped with more than 36 high-end gaming computers featuring RTX 3090 graphics cards, as well as console gaming stations and broadcasting equipment.
The Growing Role of eSports in Boarding Schools
Across the United States, boarding schools are increasingly recognizing the value of scholastic esports programs. These programs offer students meaningful opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking skills while engaging with technology in a structured environment.
For many students, esports provides a unique pathway to represent their school, collaborate with peers, and develop skills that extend far beyond gaming. As the field continues to grow, more boarding schools are integrating esports into their academic and co-curricular offerings, creating new opportunities for students interested in both technology and competition.
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