domestic boarding program: your home away from home

Proudly serving domestic students in Grades 9-12 who are ready to live and learn on Cotter's Campus.

When you say “YES” to a residential experience at Cotter Schools there are a few things you can bank on…

• Nachos day is ALWAYS a good day in the cafeteria! Although with a sprawling salad bar and various additional entree options…you really can’t go wrong on any day! 

• ‘Blooming Grounds’ will be your new favorite place to caffeinate and schedule an after school study session. Did you know that 78% of boarding students, nationwide, reported that they are motivated by their peers, compared to only 49% of public school students? Cotter Schools offers a lively and engaged academic community complete with available dual credit, PSEO, and PACC opportunities as well as direct access to 3 local higher education institutions.

• You’ll always feel safe in our NEWLY BUILT secured residence hall as well as our protected local community which is giving off all those ideal small town vibes.

• You’ll find God in the most unexpected spaces. From a diverse student body offering multiple faith perspectives, to regular worship opportunities with your friends, to volunteerism and community service being built right in to the curriculum, Cotter is a place where students can truly come to know Jesus. 

• Blue will be your new favorite color! Cotter Blue, that is!

• Your calendar will be FULL! 70% of our student body are athletes and over 85% of our students participate in more than one activity! Get ready for some epic theme nights coming out of the student cheering section at home games (hint: bring your grass skirt for Hawaiian night!). And let’s not forget about our THRIVING fine arts program (take in a concert from the award winning Cotter band or show off your moves and join our competitive show choir). 

• Weekends are for fun! Whether you’re exploring the 16.5 K of groomed local nordic ski trails, listening to some local live music at an event downtown, joining the group for a trip to an NBA basketball game, grabbing a hot apple cider at a nearby orchard, or feeling the breeze on a boat ride down the mighty Mississippi…there is literally ALWAYS something going on here!

• You’ll walk away from this experience with a group of best friends, which really feel more like family, from all across the globe. What more could you ask for?

So what’s holding you back? Isn’t it time that you found your home away from home? A place where you can live, learn and grow. A place where rich memories will be made, academic success can be found and a path for a bright future will be paved. 

That place is Cotter Schools. 

Let’s get you started…