Hi Grinity,
Boarding school is more an east-coast thing. In SF Bay area, there are very few boarding schools (Athenian school in Danville is one of them). I don't know anyone who actually sends kids there.
How far away are you willing to send your son away? You are already considering out of state, why stop there? Boston area has quite a few top private/boarding schools. Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy are among the well-known ones. These schools send more than their fair share of students to top colleges.
