Searching for the best boarding schools in California is not much different from searching for schools in other states. It is a safe environment for children since it allows them to learn from all around, preparing them for future challenges.

You must make a conscious decision to send your children to excellent schools to provide them with a world-class education.

Apart from the fact that your kids will receive an excellent academic education, boarding schools also expose them to adequate extracurricular activities.

Across Southern California and California as a whole, there are over 25 top boarding schools that prepare students for college. Our schools graduate 7,759 students every year.

According to the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), students attending boarding schools are much more likely than their day school counterparts to be academically prepared for college.

Many parents may think that boarding schools are for troubled teens, but the truth is all the students who can afford the tuition fees can gain benefits from these boarding schools. In some cases, these California boarding schools may provide financial aid to the students. These schools can be coed, all boys and all girls too.

Top 6 Boarding Schools in California

The following are some of the best California boarding schools. This list includes both junior boarding schools and boarding high schools.

1. Athenian School

There is not a better boarding school in California than Athenian School in Danville, California. The motto of this boarding school in California is “Life is an adventure of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.”

Athenians educate students in grades 6–12 on a largely wooded campus about 75 acres (300,000 m2) at the foot of Mt. Diablo in Northern California’s San Francisco Bay Area.

This boarding school comprises approximately 170 middle school students (grades 6-8) and 360 students in high school (9-12), also referred to as the upper school. The campus has approximately 60 full-time students and 18 full-time teachers. It is not unusual for classes to have 16 students each.

Niche ranks Athenian School as the number one private high school (one of the best private boarding schools) in Contra Costa County in 2020 and the 106th-best school in the nation overall. As well as being in the top 28 among U.S. boarding schools, Athens is considered one of the best schools globally.

According to Boarding School Review, Athenian has the 8th best SAT score of any American boarding school with an average of 1385 (out of 1600) and 31 for the ACT.

2. Besant Hill School

The Besant Hill School of Happy Valley, formerly the Happy Valley School, is a coeducational private school in Ojai and one of California’s best boarding schools. School enrollment is about 100 students, with about 35 faculty and staff members living nearby. Students are taught one-to-four by faculty, and the average class size is 10. In total, 62 courses are currently available, including AP electives.

Student body members from 13 states and 22 countries, i.e., international students, attend the school in the 2017-2018 school year. As an independent school, the school has gained a reputation for its scenic location, sense of community, rigorous academics, and extensive arts program. Dedicated environmental science programs are complemented by a working garden and farm on campus.

3. Dunn School

Located in Los Olivos, California, United States, Dunn School is a private boarding school and day school for grades 6th through 12th. Founded by Tony Dunn in 1957, “The Valley School” has a long history. Later it was named Dunn School.

A middle school and a high school are on Dunn’s 55-acre campus. Building styles include cottage and ranch. In addition to participating in community service projects like Day of Caring, Dunn students also participate in the 24 Hour Relay for Life.

The classes from sixth through 12th grades spend a week exploring the California wilderness. Travel abroad on international trips (3 offered each year) or learn entrepreneurship skills through an innovation elective, student club, or an on-campus café run by students, the Earwig Cafe.

There are generally 11 students in a class, and classes are taught in a seminar format. Five academic courses are offered each semester to students.

In athletics, Dunn School belongs to the Condor League, an independent secondary school conference. The student-teacher ratio of the school is 4:1.

4. Cate School

Located in Carpinteria, California, eleven miles from Santa Barbara, the Cate School is a selective, coed independent school for 9th through 12th grades. International students are welcome at the school, with 270 enrolled students from 31 states and 18 countries.

Among the nation’s best private high schools, Niche ranks Cate School 26th on the 2019 list. The school is also ranked as the 9th best boarding school in the United States.

Besides athletics, drama, music, dance, and community service, students can enjoy various outdoor activities, including surfing, kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, and rafting.

Soccer, cross-country, volleyball, water polo, football, basketball, lacrosse, squash, tennis, track, baseball, and softball are sports in which interscholastic athletes compete.

Many intramural sports include surfing, ultimate frisbee, weight training, Tae Kwan Do, dance, and others. There are many outdoor activities offered by the Cate School, such as hiking, sea kayaking, etc.

The Student-Faculty Senate is an integral part of the boarding school, i.e., the students live on the campus, and the same goes for the faculty members. In addition to having elected senators and appointed officials, the Student-Faculty Senate takes care of legislation concerning every aspect of the university community.

As part of the community service program, students plan and participate in projects. Tutoring children, visiting with the elderly and disabled, and completing local environmental projects are some activities students do. It’s among those emotional growth schools which help the students to grow emotionally.

5. Army and Navy Academy

California Boarding schools list is incomplete without the Army and Navy Academy.

This private military boarding school is located in California and is one of the best boarding schools. A Board of Trustees is responsible for the operation of the Academy and is made up of alumni, parents, past parents, and interested local businesspeople.

Currently, the Academy is headed by Mark Desjardins. Captain Slaughter (USMC Retired) works alongside the USMC Retired staff, including Chief of Staff, Colonel Russ Hanthorn, and Commandant of Cadets, Colonel Wayne Ward (USMC Retired).

Dean of Academics Ethan Segovia oversees academic affairs at the school. His work closely aligns with that of Amy Coe, the Associate Dean of Academics.

6. Ojai Valley School

The Ojai Valley School is an independent co-educational boarding school located in the Ojai Valley in California. Prekindergarten through 12th grade are offered at the school, founded in 1911.

Integer Vitae is the school’s motto. In English, it means that life is whole, harmonious, and symmetrical.

English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for all ability levels were established at Ojai Valley School, one of the first boarding schools in the Western United States.

Ojai Valley was a small private school that was opened in the early 20th century by an Eastern couple. He had written several articles in the Atlantic Monthly about the need for educational reform. Yeomans, a Chicagoan who attended Phillips Academy and Princeton University, avidly advocated for educational reform.

Several wealthy business people, including Frank Frost, became interested in Yeomans’ articles, and Frost convinced him to move to Ojai and form a school that would embody his new ideas.

Educational Excellence: Unlocking the Benefits of California Boarding Schools

Connor Ondriska, the CEO and E-learning expert from SpanishVIP insights on how California boarding schools offer world-class education in academics and extracurriculars:

• College Preparation and Placement – Boarding schools often have a vital college preparation and placement record. They provide:

1. Comprehensive college counseling services.
2. We are assisting students in navigating the college application process.
3. It is identifying suitable universities.
4. I am preparing for standardized tests.
5. The dedicated support and guidance from experienced college counselors help students make informed decisions about their future educational paths and increase their chances of admission to top-tier colleges and universities.

• Highly Qualified Faculty – Boarding schools attract highly qualified and dedicated faculty members passionate about teaching and mentoring students.

These educators bring expertise in their respective fields and create engaging learning environments that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

The close-knit community of boarding schools allows for solid teacher-student relationships, providing students with guidance and support beyond the classroom.

• Holistic Approach to Education – Boarding schools emphasize a holistic approach to education, recognizing the importance of developing well-rounded individuals.

In addition to academic pursuits, they offer a wide range of extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, music, drama, debate, and community service.

These activities provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

The emphasis on extracurricular involvement helps students develop essential life skills, character traits, and a sense of balance between academics and personal growth.

• Cultural and Diversity Exposure – California boarding schools attract students from diverse backgrounds, both locally and internationally.

This diversity enriches the educational experience by fostering a multicultural environment where students learn from one another’s perspectives, traditions, and experiences.

Exposure to different cultures, languages, and beliefs broadens students’ worldviews and promotes tolerance, empathy, and a global perspective.

Top 3 Therapeutic Boarding Schools in California

The list of some of the top boarding schools is incomplete without including some of California’s best therapeutic boarding schools.

Therapeutic boarding schools provide a supportive environment to the students. These schools are meant to be for helping children.

Therapeutic boarding schools (residential treatment centers) may be necessary when behavioral problems and mental health issues interfere with a teen’s academic success. Several special programs exist to assist adolescents in managing their emotional challenges to improve their academic performance.

The goal can be achieved by combining psychological support with a dedicated academic support team.

The top two therapeutic boarding schools of California (or we can call them emotional growth schools as well) are Newport Academy- Male (all boys) and Newport Academy- Female (all girls). These schools can also be called residential treatment centers.

Shrub Oak International School is a nonsectarian school. This school prepares students for college life. These schools are helping youngsters by the unique educational opportunities and various programs and are called preparatory schools.

These boarding schools provide your children with the best possible education.

Exploring the Unique Advantages of Therapeutic Boarding Schools in California

Ketan Parmar, MD – Psychiatry Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and a sexologist at ClinicSpots, describes how therapeutic boarding schools in California differ from traditional ones:

“While traditional boarding schools focus primarily on academics and extracurricular activities, TBS (Therapeutic Boarding Schools) offers a unique blend of therapeutic interventions and academic support for specific mental health needs.

Here’s a breakdown of their differences and potential benefits:

Distinguishing Features:

• Individualized Therapy: TBS offers licensed therapy for individuals and groups, addressing issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and behavioural challenges – something often missing in traditional boarding schools.
• Structured Environment: TBS offers a structured 24/7 environment with clear expectations and routines, promoting accountability and emotional regulation, which contrasts with the unstructuredness some adolescents struggle with at home.
• Holistic Approach: TBS emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating academics, therapy, recreational activities, and life skills training to address emotional, intellectual, and social development. Traditional boarding schools may primarily focus on academics.
• Targeted Admissions: TBS carefully assesses students for suitability based on their needs and therapeutic requirements. Standard boarding school admissions criteria might focus mainly on academic merit or extracurricular accomplishments.

Students Who Benefit Most:

• Students struggle in traditional school environments Due to issues like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, or emotional dysregulation, leading to academic underperformance or disruptions.
• Teens seeking a structured and supportive environment: Students who benefit from clear boundaries, consistent routines, and positive peer relationships while developing independent living skills.
• Individuals needing intensive therapeutic interventions: For some adolescents, the concentrated therapy and support offered by TBS may be necessary to address complex emotional issues or past trauma.

Therapeutic Approaches:

TBS utilizes a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To develop coping mechanisms, challenge negative thought patterns, and manage anxieties.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): To improve emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal relationships.
3. Trauma-Informed Therapy: To address past traumatic experiences and build resilience.
4. Family Therapy: To strengthen family communication and support systems.
5. Experiential Therapies: Including art therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness practices to promote emotional expression and self-awareness.”

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Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani