Top California Boarding Schools

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American University Preparatory School Photo
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American University Preparatory School Photo
Ojai Valley School Photo - OVS students enjoy time hanging out with friends on the 195-acre high school campus, located in a stunning canyon overlooking the Ojai Valley. Throughout the year, student life is punctuated with fun events to balance the academic schedule. These include camping trips, prom and other socials, themed dress days, community service projects, and countless weekend excursions.
The Thacher School Photo - "Education is not merely the making of scholars. It is the making of men and women. It is the training of the younger generation in the art of living for their own greatest good and the greatest good of their fellow citizens." -Sherman Day Thacher
The Webb Schools Photo - Although community service hours are not required at Webb, many of our students voluntarily choose to participate in one or more of our numerous service activities. In the past few years, our students have traveled to Costa Rica, Thailand, Romania, Australia, Nepal, Fiji and three countries in Africa on service trips.
The Athenian School Photo - Athenian students
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Idyllwild Arts Academy is home to 310 students from 35 countries and 26 US states, all devoted to intensive study of the arts. Located 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2 hours from San Diego, and 1 hour from Palm Springs, the Academy is an artistic crossroads for Southern California.
Southwestern Academy Photo - A unique learning environment
Stevenson School Photo - Outdoor Education: Afternoon surfing, day hikes, weekend camping trips, and an 11-day wilderness trek introduce students to the wilderness environment while emphasizing the development of a positive attitude toward challenging situations.
Woodside Priory School (Priory) Photo - Weekend activities are planned by both students and the Residential Faculty. These activities expose the students to various opportunities in and around the Bay Area. Past activities have included ski trips, rockclimbing, sea kayaking, surfing, museums, concerts, camping, shopping, movies, bowling, beach trips, and pro or college sports games.
Santa Catalina School Photo - Volleyball in the Gym
Oak Grove School Photo - Each year, seniors take a one-month trip to India, participating in Oak Grove's sister schools. Out students learn about themselves and their world, in part by being of service.
Villanova Preparatory School Photo - Founded in 1924, Villanova Prep is the only Catholic boarding school in the Augustinian tradition. In this supportive environment steeped in Catholic values, students are comfortable taking risks and learning more about themselves throughout their Villanova experience.
Amerigo Napa Valley Justin-Siena High School Photo - Amerigo Napa Valley partners with Justin-Siena High School to provide boarding students with a premier university-preparatory education.
St. Andrew's Academy Photo - Students and intern in Trafalgar Square
Dunn School Photo - The STEM quad at Dunn, housing the math classrooms, tinker space, makers lab and more.
Army and Navy Academy Photo - Our oceanfront campus is a major draw. Located in sunny San Diego, California, our school offers private beach access. We're the only military school in the country with a surf team! There's nothing like relaxing at the beach after a long day of classes.
St. Catherine's Academy Photo - St. Catherine's recognizes the important role that athletics plays in the development of a well-rounded young man. Our physical education program and championship athletic teams seek to develop skills and capabilities that reach far beyond the athletic field.
Excelsior School Photo - School is located in a historical 17-acre park like campus complete with cafeteria, library, and dormitory facilities.
Midland School Photo - Midland's 10-acre certified organic garden. It currently provides 80% of the produce that our community consumes in the dining hall.
Amerigo Los Angeles, Bishop Montgomery High School Photo - Students at Bishop Montgomery High School have access to an array of advanced-level courses, extracurriculars and athletics - all located just one mile away from the Pacific Ocean.

Top California Boarding Schools (2018-19)

  • School Location Grades Students
  • American University Preparatory School
    American University Preparatory School Photo - AUP is a mosaic of students in a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. Within our rich community of ethnic cultures, AUP strengthens the co-curricular offerings with partnerships that broaden students` experience.
    345 South Figueroa Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90071
    (213)400-4585
    Grades: 9-12, PG | 40 students
  • Amerigo Los Angeles, Bishop Montgomery High School
    Amerigo Los Angeles, Bishop Montgomery High School Photo - Students at Bishop Montgomery High School have access to an array of advanced-level courses, extracurriculars and athletics - all located just one mile away from the Pacific Ocean.
    (Catholic)
    5430 Torrance Blvd
    Torrance, CA 90503

    Grades: 9-12 | n/a students
  • Amerigo Napa Valley Justin-Siena High School
    Amerigo Napa Valley Justin-Siena High School Photo - Amerigo Napa Valley partners with Justin-Siena High School to provide boarding students with a premier university-preparatory education.
    (Catholic)
    4026 Maher St.
    Napa, CA 94558
    (312)416-1955
    Grades: 9-12 | 580 students
  • Amerigo San Diego Mater Dei Catholic High School
    Amerigo San Diego Mater Dei Catholic High School Photo
    (Catholic)
    1615 Mater Dei Drive
    Chula Vista, CA 91913
    (312)416-1955
    Grades: 9-12 | 869 students
  • Army and Navy Academy
    Army and Navy Academy Photo - A military boarding school education prepares a student for college and life beyond in a way that other types of schools are unable to match. Graduates are equipped with the skills to be leaders in their community with strong abilities in self-discipline, organization, teamwork, and good citizenship. They are truly equipped with the tools for success.
    All-boys 
    (4)
    2605 Carlsbad Blvd.
    Carlsbad, CA 92008
    (888)762-2338
    Grades: 7-12 | 320 students
  • The Athenian School
    The Athenian School Photo - Athenian students
    (1)
    2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.
    Danville, CA 94506
    (925)362-7223
    Grades: 9-12 | 6-12 (day) | 517 students
  • Besant Hill School
    Besant Hill School Photo - Students enjoy swimming and aquatics fitness in a new Aquatics Center part of many team sports and fitness offerings including basketball, soccer, golf, volleyball, cross country, yoga, surfing, and more.
    (1)
    8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)646-4343
    Grades: 9-12, PG | 100 students
  • Cate School
    Cate School Photo - Chemistry Class
    (14)
    1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
    Carpinteria, CA 93013
    (805)684-4127
    Grades: 9-12 | 276 students
  • Dunn School
    Dunn School Photo - The STEM quad at Dunn, housing the math classrooms, tinker space, makers lab and more.
    P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    (800)287-9197
    Grades: 8-12 | 6-12 (day) | 249 students
  • Excelsior School
    Excelsior School Photo
    1539 E. Howard St.
    Pasadena, CA 91104
    (626)398-2388
    Grades: 9-12 | 110 students
  • Idyllwild Arts Academy
    Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - The Music Department offers concentrations in Classical Music, Voice and Piano; Jazz Music, Voice and Piano; and Songwriting. Our curriculum combines performance opportunities with music academics and private lessons with some of the top musicians in Southern California.
    (15)
    52500 Temecula Road
    Idyllwild, CA 92549
    (951)468-7223
    Grades: 9-12, PG | 318 students
  • Midland School
    Midland School Photo
    (4)
    PO Box 8
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    (805)688-5114
    Grades: 9-12 | 89 students
  • Monte Vista Christian School
    Monte Vista Christian School Photo - Award Winning Choir
    (1)
    2 School Way
    Watsonville, CA 95076
    (831)768-6137
    Grades: 9-12 | 1000 students
  • Oak Grove School
    Oak Grove School Photo - Oak Grove High School offers a challenging college-preparatory program that is approved by the University of California and is designed to exceed admission requirements for the most rigorous and selective universities across the country.
    (1)
    220 West Lomita
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)646-8236
    Grades: 9-12 | Pre-K-12 (day) | 64 students
  • Ojai Valley School
    Ojai Valley School Photo - OVS students enjoy time hanging out with friends on the 195-acre high school campus, located in a stunning canyon overlooking the Ojai Valley. Throughout the year, student life is punctuated with fun events to balance the academic schedule. These include camping trips, prom and other socials, themed dress days, community service projects, and countless weekend excursions.
    (1)
    723 El Paseo Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)646-1423
    Grades: 3-12 | Pre-K-12 (day) | 269 students
  • River View Christian Academy
    River View Christian Academy Photo - The beautiful campus in Northern California.
    All-girls  (Christian)
    31500 Grape St. #326
    Lake Elsinore, CA 92532
    (800)494-2200
    Grades: 7-12, PG | 40 students
  • St. Andrew's Academy
    St. Andrew's Academy Photo - St. Andrew's Choir singing with the local symphony
    (Anglican)
    (1)
    PO Box 3050, 198 Main St.
    Chester/Lake Almanor, CA 96020
    (530)596-3343
    Grades: 6-12 | Pre-K-12 (day) | 13 students
  • St. Catherine's Academy
    St. Catherine's Academy Photo - Our outstanding music department provides classroom instruction in music theory, music history, and musical experiences. Students are also welcome to play in the marching band and take private piano or guitar lessons.
    All-boys  (Catholic)
    215 N. Harbor Blvd.
    Anaheim, CA 92805
    (714)772-1363
    Grades: 4-8 | K-8 (day) | 150 students
  • San Domenico School
    San Domenico School Photo - Our small classes often resemble a college seminar: students and teacher grappling with ideas, sparking new insights, caught up in the give and take of reasoned arguments.
    1500 Butterfield Road
    San Anselmo, CA 94960
    (415)258-1905
    Grades: 9-12 | K-12 (day) | 680 students
  • Santa Catalina School
    Santa Catalina School Photo - Music Recital Hall
    All-girls  (Catholic)
    (1)
    1500 Mark Thomas Drive
    Monterey, CA 93940
    (831)655-9356
    Grades: 9-12 | 244 students
  • Southwestern Academy
    Southwestern Academy Photo - A unique learning environment
    2800 Monterey Road
    San Marino, CA 91108

    Grades: 6-12, PG | 144 students
  • Squaw Valley Academy
    Squaw Valley Academy Photo - Students reside in adult-supervised dormitories with up to 3 other roommates. Rooms come furnished with beds, dressers/clothing storage, desks & chairs, in-room dormitory refrigerators, and individual combination hotel safes for students to store their valuables.
    235 Squaw Valley Road | P.O. Box 2667
    Olympic Valley, CA 96146
    (530)583-9393
    Grades: 9-12, PG | 80 students
  • Stevenson School
    Stevenson School Photo - The Fine Arts department offers dance, music, drama, painting, ceramics, graphic design, and more. There are no limits to self-expression and developing your creative talents.
    (11)
    3152 Forest Lake Road
    Pebble Beach, CA 93953
    (831)625-8309
    Grades: 9-12 | Pre-K-12 (day) | 750 students
  • The Thacher School
    The Thacher School Photo - "Come west. Breathe deep. Let these books and these hills and these horses be your teachers." -Sherman Day Thacher
    (25)
    5025 Thacher Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)640-3210
    Grades: 9-12 | 246 students
  • Villanova Preparatory School
    Villanova Preparatory School Photo - Villanova is on a 130-acre campus located in Ojai, California approximately 60 minutes north from Los Angeles and 45 minutes south from Santa Barbara.
    (Catholic)
    (1)
    12096 N. Ventura Ave
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)646-1464
    Grades: 9-12 | 260 students
  • The Webb Schools
    The Webb Schools Photo - Our Hefner Observatory houses a Celestron-14 telescope.
    (29)
    1175 West Baseline Road
    Claremont, CA 91711
    (909)482-5214
    Grades: 9-12 | 410 students
  • Woodside Priory School (Priory)
    Woodside Priory School (Priory) Photo - Priory students put on two theater productions each year in Rothrock Performance Hall, a 400 seat proscenium theater with a large stage and state-of-the-art lighting, sound and audience seating.
    (Catholic)
    (2)
    302 Portola Road
    Portola Valley, CA 94028
    (650)851-8223
    Grades: 9-12 | 6-12 (day) | 375 students
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