Boarding schools vary quite widely - about all they have in common is that the children (or most of them) are living in dormitories rather than with their parents. (Some boarding schools also take day students.) They cater to different groups. Some are for parents who travel frequently or live out of the country. Some are very expensive and carry considerable social status. Some offer specialized programs in art, music, science, or language study, or a curriculum corresponding to that of other countries, for instance enabling the student to pass the college exams for France or Japan. And some are for students with various types of learning disabilities. Some are co-ed and some are single sex.

Boot camps usually refer to a school that is the last stop before jail, for students that are almost uncontrollable. They generally feature extensive physical exercise and strict regulations. There have been considerable problems with some of these schools.

A boot camp can also refer to a summer camp with a specialization in a certain subject, such as a particular sport or activity which is taught intensively.

The primary difference is a boarding school is an educational institution and a boot camp is an environment set up for short term training or action. For example you know see lots of physical fitness boot camps where groups of people sign up for a set number of sessions in order to get in shape. And, of course the military boot camps come to mind - where people come together to get the basic training they need to continue with the military.

Thank you for the award, GoldenGirl.