In 1748, when he was fifteen years old, Borda completed his studies at La Flèche. The Jesuits there strongly encouraged him to join their Order but this did not appeal to him, for he had little interest in religion, and he returned to his parent's home to try to persuade his father to let him follow a career in the military engineering corps.
Sa 1748, kapag siya ay labing-limang taong gulang, Borda natapos ang kanyang pag-aaral sa La Flèche. Matindi ang mga Heswita may kanya hinihikayat na sumali sa kanilang Order ngunit ito ay hindi-apela sa kanya, niya para sa maliit na interes sa relihiyon, at siya ay ibabalik sa kanyang magulang ng bahay upang subukan sa amuki kanyang ama upang ipaalam sa kanya sundin ng isang karera sa militar engineering pulutong .