At Besant Hill, it's about embracing and loving every aspect of who you are.You want to be cared for, allowed to grow, and free to be yourself in a culture of learning and respect.You want to be independent, creative and take risks.You want to become a lifelong learner who is adaptable to change and new learning.
At Besant Hill, you'll be able to unleash your full potential.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 100 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,275
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $29,295
- Acceptance rate: 50%
- Average class size: 8 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Besant Hill School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 277 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Student Attention
School Overview
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1946
1907
Campus Size
520 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Aún Aprendo – 'I am still learning.'
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Last Day of School
Sat. Jun 7, 2025
Student Body
Enrollment
100 students
319 students
% Students of Color
13%
27%
% International Students
15%
20%
% Students Boarding
85%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
70%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$2 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$64,275
(Tuition includes room and board fees)
(Tuition includes room and board fees)
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$29,295
$36,000
Tuition international students
$71,400
$57,650
% Students on Financial Aid
25%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$20,000
(Apply at solutionsbysss.com)
(Apply at solutionsbysss.com)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
50%
64%
Director of Admissions
Tracy How
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
18
Courses
Advanced Environmental Studies, Advanced Studio Art, Algebra II Honors, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Economics, AP English, AP Environmental Science, AP Government, AP Human Geography, AP Physics, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP US History, Honors English
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
13
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
27
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Cooking Club, Environmental Sustainability, Film Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Acting, Art Club, Ceramics Club, Choir, Dance Activity, Dance Club, Digital Art, Language Enhancement, Playwriting Club, Prefects (Senior Student Leaders), SAGE- Students Affirming Gender Equality, STEM, Studio, Theater, Voice
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Crossfit, Outdoor Education, Peer Writing Center, Sandy Hook Promise, Surfing, Swimming, Weight, Weight Lifting, Yoga
Cooking Club, Environmental Sustainability, Film Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Acting, Art Club, Ceramics Club, Choir, Dance Activity, Dance Club, Digital Art, Language Enhancement, Playwriting Club, Prefects (Senior Student Leaders), SAGE- Students Affirming Gender Equality, STEM, Studio, Theater, Voice
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Crossfit, Outdoor Education, Peer Writing Center, Sandy Hook Promise, Surfing, Swimming, Weight, Weight Lifting, Yoga
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
99%
Year: 2016 - 2021
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Lewis & Clark College
4
San Diego State University
4
Sarah Lawrence College
4
University of California, San Diego
4
University of California, Santa Cruz
4
University of Washington
4
Emerson College
3
New York University
3
University of California, Berkeley
3
University of Redlands
3
School Notes
- As a community, our goal is to cultivate what is excellent in each student. Besant Hill School provides a small intimate learning environment where students are able to fully explore and express both their intellectual and creative abilities. With small classes, positive student/teacher relationships, and a quiet, rural location, we provide a safe and peaceful atmosphere for learning, study, contemplation, and self-expression. The mission of Besant Hill School is the development of each individual's intellectual and artistic abilities. Through awakening the spirit of inquiry, we encourage each student to pursue integrity and excellence. Our non-competitive community builds honesty, respect, compassion and responsibility. Our goal is to develop a lifelong habit of learning as embodied in our school's motto Aun Aprendo, I am still learning.
- Besant Hill School accreditations: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, (WASC), California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Portia Johnson, Head of School, Class of 2000 -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Besant Hill School cost?
Besant Hill School's tuition is approximately $64,275 for boarding students and $29,295 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Besant Hill School?
The acceptance rate of Besant Hill School is 50%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Besant Hill School?
Besant Hill School famous alumni include: Portia Johnson, Head of School, Class of 2000.
What sports does Besant Hill School offer?
Besant Hill School offers 13 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country Running, Dance, Golf, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Besant Hill School's ranking?
Besant Hill School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small average class sizes and Low student:teacher ratio.
When is the application deadline for Besant Hill School?
The application deadline for Besant Hill School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
The sense of community at Besant hill is truly unique. I almost never felt homesick because I always felt at home. My teachers became my best friends, and my best friends became my brothers and. . .
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Besant Hill School also viewed these schools: Idyllwild Arts Academy, Dunn School, Cate School, Stevenson School and The Thacher School.
The nearest boarding school to Besant Hill School is Ojai Valley School (0.9 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
280 students 151.1 miles 52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
151.1
9-12, PG
280
249 students 50.6 miles P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(800) 287-9197
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(800) 287-9197
50.6
9-12
6-12
6-12
249
300 students 13.7 miles 1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
13.7
9-12
300
510 students 211.9 miles 3152 Forest Lake Road
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
211.9
9-12
PK-12
PK-12
510
255 students 3.6 miles 5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
3.6
9-12
255
Recent Articles
Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody.
Academics: International Baccalaureate & Advanced Placement
We compare and contrast the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement. We also explore their distinct educational philosophies, curriculum structures, assessment methods, and global recognition to help students and parents make informed decisions about which rigorous academic program best suits their educational goals and learning preferences.
Education Beyond the Classroom: The Role of Outdoor Adventure in Shaping Young Minds
The concept of outdoor education dates back to the early 20th century as educators sought ways to engage students beyond traditional methods. Early efforts initially focused on direct, experiential learning in nature, but later evolved to incorporate academics, collaborative skills, and a focus on environmental responsibility. Outdoor education today equips students with critical life skills, preparing them for the world beyond the classroom.
