2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville, CA 94506 - 
Map
Map
tel: 925.362.7223
With distinctive meaningful programs, The Athenian School goes far beyond preparing talented and diverse students for outstanding colleges. Athenian empowers its graduates to become world citizens with lives of purpose and personal fulfillment. Athenian's distinguishing features include: an exciting and challenging academic curriculum, required community service, a required wilderness course, and extraordinary international experiences. Other signature programs include: town meeting, an airplane construction project, an award-winning robotics team, and many international opportunities (exchange, service projects, annual conferences, and faculty-led educational and service trips). Located on 75 beautiful acres at the base of Mt. Diablo, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area's only nonsectarian school with a high school boarding program. Virtually 100% gain admission to 4-yr. universities, from all the Univ. of CA campuses, to USC, Stanford, all the Ivy League campuses, outstanding liberal arts colleges, and a wide range of others. Athenian encourages students to find the colleges or universities that best fit them, and most students gain admission to their first-choice school. Most importantly, Athenian students develop a deep understanding of themselves, extraordinary skills for achievement, and the compassion to make a positive difference in the world.
Top 20 Placements: All Schools, Similar Size Schools
Listed among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 301 schools) for:
Overview: |
The Athenian School
|
Boarding School Avg.
|
| Definition of Terms | ||
| School Focus | College Preparatory | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered. (Boarding) | 9-12 | 9-12 |
| Grades Offered (Day) | 6-12 | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Support for ADD/ADHD Students | No | No |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1965 | 1906 |
| Campus Size | 75 acres | 125 acres |
| Student Body | ||
| Enrollment | 300 students | 296 students |
| Percent Students of Color | 38% | 18% |
| Percent International Students | 10% | 18% |
| Percent Students Boarding | 14% | 69% |
| Average SAT Score | 1900 | * National Avg. »View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
| Academics and Faculty | ||
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 15 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Teacher : Student Ratio | 1:10 | 1:7 |
| # of AP/Advanced Courses Offered | 12 | 14 |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 68% | 64% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
| Finances | ||
| Endowment Size | $3 million | $14 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $39,060 | $42,800 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $24,600 | $23,900 |
| Percent Students on Financial Aid | 20% | 34% |
| Average Financial Aid Grant | $12,000 | $18,500 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
| Admission | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan. 9 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| SSAT Required | No | Yes |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | 60% |
| Director of Admissions | Christopher Beeson | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Beverly Gomer | |
Sports: |
||
| Total Interscholastic Sports Offered | 12 | 13 |
Interscholastic Sports
|
||
| Badminton | Baseball | |
| Basketball | Cross Country | |
| Golf | Soccer | |
| Softball | Swimming | |
| Tennis | Track and Field | |
| Volleyball | Wrestling | |
College Matriculation: |
||
| Year: 2002-2006 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
|
|
| University of California, Santa Cruz | 20 | |
| Univeristy of California, Davis | 15 | |
| University of Colorado, Boulder | 11 | |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 10 | |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 10 | |
| University of Calfornia, Berkeley | 8 | |
| Occidental College | 6 | |
| University of Southern Calfornia | 6 | |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4 | |
| Brown University | 3 | |
School Notes:
- Athenian's superb curriculum extends far beyond academic subjects with distinctive programs which develop students as world citizens for successful, meaningful, and purposeful lives.
- The academic curriculum offers:
- Interdisciplinary humanities courses in grades 9 and 10, followed by diverse seminars in history and literature
- Hands-on and applied science options, including: an airplane construction project, an applied science course, and an award-winning robotics team
- Extensive mathematics offerings beyond our two years of AP calculus courses to statistics and AP statistics
- Extensive offerings in the arts, including drawing, painting, pottery, stained glass, and photography, theatre, dance, and chorus
- Honors and/or AP courses accross the curriculum
- Superb college counseling with an individual plan for each student and counselors dedicated only to college advising
- Beyond the classroom, Athenian prepares students for the future as world citizens through:
- Meaningful required community service
- Extraordinary international opportunities through the Round Square Consortium of 60 schools on six continents: study abroad exchanges, international community service projects, and annual international student conferences
- Participation in school-governance through town meeting
- Guidance from a residential community of faculty who live on campus with their families. Faculty know students well, offering advice and support as mentors for each student.
- The Athenian Wilderness Experience, required of all 11th grade students (a meaningful program developing independence, leadership, and teamwork--NOT a survival course)
- An amazing an advantageous location which offers a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo as well as easy access to the San Francisco Bay Area
- Faculty who not only teach academic subjects but mentor students individually as academic advisors, residential program advisors, dormitory parents, coaches, club sponsors, community service trip leaders, and interim trip leaders.
- Service Learning in which academic courses include hands-on experiential learning with a community service focus. Such programs happen on campus, in the San Francisco Bay Area, and on international trips to such places as Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe.
- ALUMNI & PARENTS SAY:
- "With the perfect balance of challenge and nurturing, Athenian teachers encourage you to experience and connect with your studies. I enjoyed academics, athletics, and the arts. I pursued my passions, graduating more certain of myself. I felt intellectually confident in my first college class. Athenian changes lives, and it's graduates affect change in the world." --Sarah Ames, Athenian Class of 2005, Vassar College
- "Athenian's inclusive environment enables every student to make a mark--whether in academics, performance and art, or clubs and sports. Athenian consistently produces bright, engaging, and confident young adults who are keenly aware that they are citizens of the world." --Deepak and Sherry Kamlani, current parents
- "Athenian encourages maturation as a full person and student. Athenian created a passion for learning in my son. He attended a Round Square conference in South Africa that profoundly affected him. He wants to help better the world. Jason now attends Stanford. The excitement about ideas ignited at Athenian shone through in his Stanford application. --Tina Levy, alumni parent (Jason, Athenian Class of 2004)
- "Athenian contributed to my growth as an intellectual and individual. The Athenian community helped me understand my role as a citizen of the world. I will be able to contribute to the greater society thanks to Athenian's rich ideals and supportive atmosphere. I will always cherish and stay connected to this amazing place." --Carmen Jimenez-Robbins, Athenian Class of 2005, Brown Univ.
- "Athenian teachers respect students, saying, "I not only see your children as they are now, but as what they can become." In my daughter, I now see a strong student, a self-motivated learner, and a well-rounded young lady with the desire to serve and take full responsibility for her life." --Margaret Bam, boarding student parent, South Africa
- "At Athenian you can do so many things--like start a club or propose a change. The avenues are open for you to explore. Personally, Athenian teachers are open to conversation outside of the classroom, and you get to know people really well. I have learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom. Many students leave Athenian and find college writing easy; Athenian prepared them well." --Kevin Burke, Athenian Class of 2005, University of Pennsylvania
- School accreditations: WASC, NAIS, CAIS, TABS, SSAT, ERB
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Phillip Bennett - Geology Professor, Univ. of Texas, Austin
- Benjamin Brandzel - MoveOn.org Student Action Founder
- Greg Sherwood Cohalen - Emmy Award-Winning Public Broadcasting Anchor
- Craig Debro - KTVU 2, Oakland, Television News Reporter
- Joan Haratani - Attorney, San Francisco Bar Association President
- Carol Moldaw - Noted Poet, Winner of the Field Prize
- Douglas Perednia - Physician, Business Executive, Entrepreneur
- Korshied Samad - Journalist, Bureau Chief, Afghan Nonprofit Org. Founder
- Jackie Thomas - Nike Executive, Athenian School Trustee
- Andrew Wistrich - United States District Magistrate Judge
- Profile last updated: 01/09/2008
School Map:
Get:driving directions 
Weather: 10-day forecast or monthly climate averages.
Nearby Boarding Schools:
- THINK Global School - 25 students - 24.6 mi. away - view location
- Woodside Priory School (Priory) - 367 students - 34.8 mi. away - view location
- San Domenico School - 140 students - 36.7 mi. away - view location
- Valley International Academy - 22 students - 37.7 mi. away - view location
- Monte Vista Christian School - 824 students - 59.7 mi. away - view location
Tip: Zoom in/out using the slider below. View aerial photos using the Satellite or Hybrid buttons.
- Co-ed school
- Boys school
- Girls school
Note: Data has been gathered from schools, government and commercial data sources.
Quick Links:
- Request:
Info / application from The Athenian School - Go:
Visit school website, 
Add to my saved schools - List: More boarding schools in California
- Use: Search schools tool, Compare schools tool, More research tools
- Return to: Boarding school directory
- Get help: Find an educational consultant & get expert advice
Recent Boarding School Articles:
-
How To Pay for Boarding School
Because paying for boarding school involves so much money, let's look at the options available to you. -
How Private Schools Evolved in the United States
Private schools came first. Then public education took root. -
Boarding Schools in a Minute
Boarding Schools in a Minute gives an overview of independent high schools in North America. -
The Boarding School Application Process
Applying to boarding school requires completing a sheaf of forms. We look at how to accomplish this important task. -
5 More Schools and Their Founders
A private school in its infancy is quite different from the mature community it becomes over time. I wonder what the founders of these five schools would think about them today. I bet they would be very proud of their creations.
