Midland School
- Founded in 1932, Midland School makes education real by doing the work of taking care of campus and community alongside rigorous college preparatory academics at a small, rustic boarding school in the foothills of a national forest in Santa Barbara County. Midland`s strong environmental ethic is cultivated through exploring and knowing the natural world around us, growing our food, chopping our wood, and drawing electricity from student-installed solar panels.
- Midland puts boundaries on screen time and digital entertainment in order to model and cultivate meaningful human connection. At the same time, Midland students are challenged academically, attain digital literacy, engage in experiential learning every week, and complete a senior thesis as a graduation requirement. A Midland education builds character, develops a work ethic, and cultivates authentic student leadership - all things that develop our inner resources and sense of self - by working as a community to take care of our place.
Alumni Reviews Review School
- Review Description
- Stanford University Midland's philosophy is "needs not wants." And the community lives that philosophy every day. For four years, I lived in a wood cabin (heated only if I made a fire in our room's. . .
- Lehigh University Few schools empower you the way Midland does. The school's experiential learning coupled with its student run maintenance program gives students the skill set to pursue and build their own projects. For instance. . .
- Smith College Midland is an incredibly unique educational opportunity. What sets it apart are the values of self-reliance and the relationship with the land. The emphasis placed on experiential learning and leadership really grow out of the. . .
- University of Oregon Small school that teaches one the basic of life. From collecting wood to heat your shelter to mathematical equations to solve the economic world problems. A unique education.. . .
- Show more reviews (-1 reviews)
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Listed among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 326 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Boarding Focus High percentage of boarding students
- Student Attention Low teacher:student ratio
- Student Test Scores High SSAT scores
| Definition of Terms 2017 School Data | Midland School | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12 | 7-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1932 | 1910 |
| Campus Size | 2860 acres | 110 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 89 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 20% | 20% |
| % International Students | 13% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 100% | 68% |
| Average SAT Score | 1697 | * National Avg. »View |
| Average ACT score | 25 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | Yes | No |
| Frequency of Saturday Classes | Weekly | Weekly |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 10 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Teacher : Student Ratio | 1:4 | 1:7 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 5 | 17 |
| ESL Courses Offered | No | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 67% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | No | Yes |
Finances
| Endowment Size | $16 million | $17 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $56,000 | $53,300 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | n/a | $28,560 |
| Tuition international students | $60,200 | $47,500 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 48% | 37% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | 35000 | $22,730 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
Admission
| Application Deadline | Feb. 15 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | Yes | No |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 80% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 50% | 55% |
| Director of Admissions | Tim Weir | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Cierra Ensign | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 5 | 17 |
| Courses | Advanced Ceramics, American Studies, Art, Biology, Calculus, English 12, Physics, Spanish 4 | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 6 | 14 |
| Sports | Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 9 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Cooking Club, Environmental Club or Organization: Common, Library, Student Arts and Music Programs: Drama Club Recreational Athletic Programs: Farm and Forest, Outdoor, Yoga | |
College Matriculation
| Year: 2010 - 2015 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled) | |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | 4 | |
| Hendrix College | 3 | |
| Kenyon College | 3 | |
| Drew University | 2 | |
| Earlham College | 2 | |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | 2 | |
| Guilford College | 2 | |
| Hampshire College | 2 | |
| University of California, Berkeley | 2 | |
| University of Southern California | 2 | |
School Notes
- Midland uses its 2,860-acre campus academically and recreationally, and the school believes that a life lived close to nature is instructive and enriching.
- Simplicity: One of Midland`s guiding tenets is that the essential ingredients of learning are a student, a teacher, and an idea. In and out of the classroom, Midland students learn how to distinguish between needs and wants, and how to appreciate life's fundamental joys and challenges.
- Self-Reliance: In a ten-acre organic garden, the school grows much of its own produce. To help run the school and maintain the grounds, Midland entrusts students with daily jobs. And older students have authentic leadership roles, which emphasize individual and collective responsibility.
- Community: Midland School is a diverse community of students and teachers in pursuit of academic excellence and moral lives.
- School accreditations: WASC, TABS, CAIS, NAIS
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- School Location Miles Grades Students
- Grades: 8-12| 245 students 1.5 milesP.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
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800-287-91971.58-12245
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805684412740.59-12280 - Grades: 9-12 | 246 students 54.9 miles5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
805-640-321054.99-12246 - Grades: 9-12, PG | 100 students 51.9 miles8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
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805-646-434351.99-12, PG100 - Grades: 9-12| 750 students 167.7 miles3152 Forest Lake Road
Pre-K-12 (day)
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
831-625-8309167.79-12750
Pre-K-12 (day)
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