The Thacher School - Review #21

Read more details about The Thacher School on their 2024 profile page.
The Thacher School
5

About the Author:

Years Attended Boarding School:
2004-2008
Sports and Activities:
Horse Program, Soccer, Tennis, Cross country, and Lacrosse. Tour guide and Prefect.
College Enrolled:
Amherst College
Home Town, State:
Santa Ana, CA

Reflections and Advice:

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
A unique aspect of the Thacher curriculum is the horse program. Each student is assigned a horse the first week they arrive. As a freshman you participate in the horse program every afternoon for the year. You get to bond with your class; learn how to ride if you don’t know already, and it’s a great experience.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
Going to boarding school definitely made me more independent.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I think you just need to be yourself. Get to know everyone and give everyone a chance. If you are nervous about this whole experience it is likely that they are having those same feelings.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The school felt like a home. I loved it and would do it all over again. I made amazing friends.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Definitely take a hike through the trails. Go to the outdoor chapel and watch the sunset, it is incredibly beautiful.

Academics:

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Academically Thacher is challenging and definitely prepares you for college. Thacher has small classes, a lot of one on one attention, and great teachers who are willing to help you at all times. I found that my teachers were not only educators but friends and people you can trust. They are always available for extra help and are genuinely interested in you and what you have to offer.

Athletics:

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Athletics at Thacher are great. You can always try something new and you can definitely improve and grow as an athlete. I'd say Thacher has a great athletic program.

Art, Music, and Theatre:

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The art department is great. I took three years of art during my Thacher career. Freshman year you take an art sampler and are introduced to studio art, 3-D art/ceramics, drama and music theory.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
There are a lot of options and opportunities to get involved in the community.

Dorm Life:

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life is generally relaxed. The first year you have a single which makes things a lot less stressful. You have prefects who are amazing, they are there to help with anything and everything. Generally, there is a great dorm environment.

Dining:

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The food is absolutely great. There is variety, they welcome suggestions to improve the quality of the food as well as listen to any special needs you may have.

Social and Town Life:

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
You can always take the bus into town. The town is small but very welcoming and incredibly beautiful. Rainbow Bridge is amazing, its a little grocery store and its an awesome place to get snacks. Star market is less expensive and you can get basic necessities there like shampoo or more snacks.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Everyone mingles withe everyone else. There is almost always something to do.

Daily Schedule:

Weekday
8:00 AM
breakfast
8:30 AM
class
3:30 PM
riding or sports
6:00 PM
formal dinner
7:30 PM
study hall
9:30 PM
study break
10:00 PM
check in
Weekend
10:00 AM
ride or play sports depending on sports schedule
1:00 PM
lunch and free time after that
5:30 PM
dinner until 7:30 pm
8:00 PM
some sort of social activity
11:00 PM
check in
Read more details about The Thacher School on their 2024 profile page.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description
The Thacher School Alumni #1
Class of 2017
5.00 5/26/2021
Yale
Thacher's community on campus is unlike any other, connections at the school go beyond merely knowing every student's name but having had interacted closely with everyone whether on a camping trip, in the dining hall. . .
The Thacher School Alumni #2
Class of 2017
5.00 11/19/2017
Yale University
You cannot mention Thacher without talking about the horse program; each freshman is required to take care of and ride a horse for the first year of high school. I rode all four years and. . .
The Thacher School Alumni #3
Class of 2016
5.00 11/19/2017
Dartmouth College
One thing that makes Thacher unique are the opportunities to form close, meaningful relationships with teachers and its commitment to helping students grow personally as well as academically. Whether it's out in the Domelands wilderness. . .
Show more reviews (23 reviews)

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 255 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,980
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $56,680
  • Acceptance rate: 13%
  • Average class size: 11 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update