Midland School, located on a 2,860-acre ranch at the edge of the Los Padres Wilderness, has been the leader of place-based college preparatory education since 1932.
Everything we do-from the courses we choose to teach to how we maintain our campus to the way we feed ourselves-originates from an intentional curriculum that focuses not only on college preparatory classes, but also on leadership, community, and stewardship.Our scale empowers students with authentic leadership opportunities, provides highly personalized learning, and inspires the pursuit of intellectual passions.
At Midland, thirty-eight percent of our students identify as students of color, over half receive generous financial aid to attend, and the depth of our boarding experience facilitates both top-tier college admissions and future success.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 82 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,700
- Acceptance rate: 40%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Midland School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Boarding Focus
Student Attention
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1932
1907
Campus Size
2860 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
82 students
319 students
% Students of Color
38%
27%
% International Students
8%
21%
% Students Boarding
100%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
70%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$22 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$69,700
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,500
Tuition international students
$75,200
$58,300
% Students on Financial Aid
50%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$48,800
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Average Percentile SSAT
85%
-
Acceptance Rate
40%
64%
Director of Admissions
Cierra Rickman
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
18
Courses
Advanced Ceramics, American Studies, Art, Biology, Calculus, English 12, Physics, Spanish 4
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
7
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
12
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Community Service Club, LGBTQ Club, Prefects, Student Government, Woodworking
Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Newspaper, Theater
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Gardening, Horseback Riding, Surfing, Yoga
Community Service Club, LGBTQ Club, Prefects, Student Government, Woodworking
Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Newspaper, Theater
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Gardening, Horseback Riding, Surfing, 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
- School Motto: Living Your Education
- School Mascot: Oak Tree
- Midland`s curriculum merges college preparation with experiential learning. Using the extraordinary resources at hand - 2,860 acres in Santa Barbara County, a near 90-year-old culture of responsibility to community and environment, and a committed faculty - we develop personal agency in our students. Midland cultivates the belief that it matters what we do, and we actively engage students in their high school journey, both within and outside the classroom.
- Midland students live their education, from exploring the natural and cultural history of the world beneath our feet in field-based UC-approved science and social science courses in 9th grade, to writing and presenting a senior thesis in 12th grade. With courses ranging from Algebra 1 to Calculus 3 (some years) and English 9 to British Literature, Midland meets students where they are and challenges them to think critically and problem solve resourcefully.
- To step into the Rich Arts Building during the academic day or evening and to see students engaged in the creative process of translating observations into 2D and 3D artworks in drawing, painting, ceramics, and metal is to see a school that values craftsmanship and design. To observe our interdisciplinary World and American Studies classes is to see a school that values discourse and cultural competency. Midland students learn to speak publicly and write fluently, in English and Spanish.
- To develop lifelong learners, our weekly Experiential Saturday program provides structure and staffing for ungraded 3-hour blocks every week that tap into the passions of faculty and students, including farm, ranch, and outdoor explorations; cultural events and talks through UCSB`s Arts & Lectures program; projects on campus; health and wellness discussions; and diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops at peer schools.
- While cultivating a life of the mind, Midland actively builds character, work ethic, and resilience through a daily Jobs program in which every student is not only valued but needed. Midland is preparation for college and life.
- Midland School accreditations: WASC, TABS, CAIS, NAIS
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Midland School cost?
Midland School's tuition is approximately $69,700 for boarding students.
What schools are Midland School often compared to?
Midland Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Cate School, Dunn School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Midland School?
The acceptance rate of Midland School is 40%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Midland School offer?
Midland School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Soccer, Surf Team and Volleyball.
What is Midland School's ranking?
Midland School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of boarding students, Low student:teacher ratio and High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Midland School?
The application deadline for Midland School is Feb. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: Midland School vs. Cate School, Midland School vs. Dunn School
People that viewed Midland School also viewed these schools: Cate School, Dunn School, Besant Hill School, The Thacher School and Stevenson School.
The nearest boarding school to Midland School is Dunn School (1.5 miles away)
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Students
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510
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