Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Besant Hill School

5.00 (1 review)
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road Ojai CA 93023
Tel: (805) 646-4343
www.besanthill.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 100 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,200
  • Acceptance rate: 50%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Besant Hill School Photo #4 - At Besant Hill, dual enrollment lets students take college courses while in high school - deepening interests, strengthening transcripts, and building confidence. In a supportive environment where teachers knowyou well, you'll grow academically and personally. Go further, sooner.
Besant Hill School Photo #5 - Meaningful connections and personalized learning, with an average class size of 8 and a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Besant Hill School Photo #6 - Building confidence, finding their voice, and developing strong public speaking skills.
Besant Hill School Photo #7 - Sharing ideas, engaging classmates, and bringing learning to life.
Besant Hill School Photo #8 - Our day students are as much a part of Besant Hill life as those living on campus and are invited to participate in all residential life activities, represent the student government, and shape the day student experience via an official Day Student Representative.
Besant Hill School Photo #9 - A beautiful day on campus, where every step brings new connections and experiences.
Besant Hill School Photo #10 - You'll study art and design alongside working artists and creative professionals, examining history and culture to find deeper meaning in your work. We'll help you build the confidence to find your own voice and the skill to express it, with in-depth portfolio guidance if you're applying to art school.
Besant Hill School Photo #11 - Creativity in action, where students explore, express, and bring ideas to life.
Besant Hill School Photo #12 - You'll build your craft through acting, ensemble performance, and stage production, with the chance to perform in main stage shows and community events. Theater at Besant Hill happens as much in performance as it does in the classroom.
Besant Hill School Photo #13 - You'll perform in concerts, student-led variety shows, assemblies, and ensembles throughout the year, building real technique and a deeper relationship with music you'll carry beyond Besant Hill.
Besant Hill School Photo #14 - Growing knowledge through hands-on science and learning in our greenhouses.
Besant Hill School Photo #15 - Building friendships and connections that make our community feel like home.
Besant Hill School Photo #16 - Athletics and physical activity play a vital role in the student experience at Besant Hill, and we are committed to providing enriching opportunities that foster a lifelong dedication to health and wellness.
Besant Hill School Photo #17 - Our team sports are guided by value-based coaching principles, emphasizing participation, commitment, sportsmanship, and striving to do one's best.
Besant Hill School Photo #18 - In addition to team sports, our diverse range of fitness offerings are thoughtfully curated to encourage students to explore various avenues of physical activity.
Besant Hill School Photo #19 - We pride ourselves on providing a fun, fresh, and exciting dining experience. There's always something for everyone! Our in-house dining staff knows our students well and works to cater to their preferences with locally sourced delicious, homemade meals. With a full salad bar and hot meal options for every meal, there is plenty of incredible food to choose from.
Besant Hill School Photo #20 - Celebrating diverse flavors and cultures through delicious, globally inspired meals.
Besant Hill School Photo #21 - A welcoming space to relax, connect, and make dorm life feel like home.
Besant Hill School Photo #22 - Making memories, sharing laughs, and enjoying downtime together in the residence hall.
Besant Hill School Photo #23 - A welcoming space to relax, connect, and enjoy stunning mountain views with friends.
Besant Hill School Photo #24 - A cozy space to call home, share moments, and build lifelong friendships.
Besant Hill School Photo #25 - Apartment-style living that fosters independence, community, and a true home away from home.
Besant Hill School Photo #26 - A beautiful place to learn, grow, and feel inspired every day.
Besant Hill School Photo #27 - Weekends are a chance for students to explore a variety of extracurricular options, both on and off campus. There are opportunities for community service, such as working with the Ojai Land Conservancy or Ventura beach clean up; there are cultural excursions to museums in Southern California and University of Santa Barbara for lectures; fun shopping and beach excursions to Ventura.
Besant Hill School Photo #28 - A student's perspective: capturing the beauty of everyday life on campus.
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About the School

  • Besant Hill School is an intentionally small, college-preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9112, located on a beautiful 520-acre campus in Ojai, California, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.
  • With a maximum enrollment of 100 students, our size is a deliberate choice.
  • It allows us to know each student personally, provide individualized support, and create an environment where students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to be themselves.
  • We have a global community, small classes, and a strong focus on academic growth, personal development, and preparing students for college and beyond.
  • We offer five-day and seven-day boarding, as well as day student options.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 100 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,200
  • 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 268 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Small average class sizes
Student Attention
Low student-teacher ratio

School Overview

2026 School Data
Besant Hill School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
Pre-prof. Arts / College-prep
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1946
1906
Campus Size
520 acres
130 acres
School Motto
Aún Aprendo – 'I am still learning.'

Student Body

Enrollment
100 students
319 students
% Students of Color
20%
28%
% International Students
30%
21%
% Students Boarding
85%
66%
Average SAT Score
1050
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Respectful and Appropriate
Casual
Average Class Size
8 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
# of AP Courses Offered
15
18
Courses
Advanced Environmental StudiesAdvanced Studio Art
Algebra II HonorsAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Economics
AP EnglishAP Environmental Science
AP GovernmentAP Human Geography
AP PhysicsAP Spanish
AP StatisticsAP US History
Honors English

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$2 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$75,000
(Tuition includes room and board fees)
$71,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$34,200
$40,000
Tuition international students
$75,000
$59,000
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$53,570
$50,000
% Students on Financial Aid
20%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$25,000
(sssandtadsfa.my.site.com)
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
50%
64%
Director of Admissions
Tracy How

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
13
17
Sports
BasketballCross Country Running
DanceGolf
KayakingMountain Biking
Rock ClimbingSnowboarding
SoccerSurf Team
SwimmingTennis
Volleyball
Colors
Blue and Green

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
27
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Cooking ClubEnvironmental Sustainability
Film Club


Arts and Music Programs:
ActingArt Club
Ceramics ClubChoir
Dance ActivityDance Club
Digital ArtLanguage Enhancement
Playwriting ClubPrefects (Senior Student Leaders)
SAGE- Students Affirming Gender EqualitySTEM
StudioTheater
Voice


Recreational Athletic Programs:
CrossfitOutdoor Education
Peer Writing CenterSandy Hook Promise
SurfingSwimming
WeightWeight Lifting
Yoga

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
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
View Matriculation Data

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.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Besant Hill School cost?
Besant Hill School's tuition is approximately $75,000 for boarding students and $34,200 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%.
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).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2013
5.00
CU Boulder
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. . .
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 100 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,200
  • Acceptance rate: 50%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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