Ojai Valley School

5.00 5 1 (2 reviews)
Tel: (805) 646-1423
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
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Ojai Valley School Photo #1 - The fine & performing arts curriculum at OVS includes drawing, advanced studio arts, music theory & composition, voice, ceramics, photography, graphic design, music history, film, and 3 AP art courses. Students have the opportunity to explore costume and set design. They can also participate in electives such as dance and chorus. OVS produces several productions each year.
Ojai Valley School Photo #2 - Ojai Valley School offers students in grades 3-12 the ability to live and learn alongside peers from around the world. Residents participate in a vibrant community of motivated students and develop friendships that last a lifetime. Just ask our alumni. Many of their closest friendships began in the OVS dorms or were developed on camping trips or sports teams.
Ojai Valley School Photo #3 - 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.
Ojai Valley School Photo #4 - At the OVS Upper Campus, high school students in grades 9-12 flourish from the attention they receive in small classes (averaging 10-12 students) and benefit from a college prep program that emphasizes character development and academic achievement.
Ojai Valley School Photo #5 - Outdoor Education is a key part of the OVS experience. Students in all grades participate in multiple outdoor trips throughout the year, many of which relate to classroom studies. In freshman Humanities, for example, students read A River Runs Through It, and then a group took a fly fishing trip to the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
Ojai Valley School Photo #6 - Ojai Valley School is one of the few equestrian boarding schools in California with stables on both the middle and high school campuses, allowing students to walk from class to the barn to ride nearly every afternoon in place of sports or P.E. classes. Our program welcomes riders of all levels.
Ojai Valley School Photo #7 - Recent college acceptances for our students include Brown, Columbia, Northeastern, NYU, Boston College, King's College London, St. Andrews University, Boston University, Colorado State, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Pitzer College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and others.
Ojai Valley School Photo #8 - The Athletic program is a vital component of life at OVS. Middle and high school students participate in athletics each season. High school sports options include soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country, track, baseball, equestrian, tennis, golf, swimming, and lacrosse.
Ojai Valley School Photo #9 - Ojai Valley School offers a challenging college prep curriculum with opportunities for Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses - 24 in all, from AP Computer Science Principles, to AP Psychology, to AP 3-D Studio Art. Last year, juniors and seniors took, on average, three AP classes each year.
Ojai Valley School Photo #10 - Surf's up! OVS students enjoy great Southern California weather and frequent excursions to the Pacific Ocean for early morning surf trips. The "Dawn Patrol" surf club welcomes beginners and experienced surfers alike, and they regularly paddle out from local surf spots.
  • It is our goal to recruit intellectually curious, outgoing students who want to participate in all aspects of Ojai Valley School`s academic and extracurricular programs.
  • We strive to enroll students from all backgrounds whose talents, skills and interests will enrich the OVS community.
  • Through the development of a strong college prep curriculum and with emphasis on study skills, confidence and leadership, students earn placement at select colleges and universities worldwide.

Alumni Reviews
  Review School

  • Review Description

  • Class of 2020
    5 Stars  
    CSUCI and VC
     Our two children have been attending OVS as day students since pre-K. Our son is in the 4th grade, our daughter in the 1st. My husband attended school there once upon a time. . .

  • Class of 2011
    5 Stars  
    University of California, Berkeley
     I started boarding at Ojai Valley School (OVS) since fifth grade in Elementary School and this experience had been the best time of my life largely due to the supportive environment of the faculty members. . .
Definition of Terms
 | 2020 School Data
Ojai Valley SchoolBoarding School Avg.
School FocusCollege PrepCollege Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)3-129-12
Grades Offered (Day)Pre-K-129-12
School TypeCo-edCo-ed
ADD/ADHD SupportYesYes
Religious AffiliationNon-denominationalNon-denominational
Year Founded19111907
Campus Size195 acres125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment275 students300 students
% Students of Color
9%
25%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
40%
70%
Average SAT Scoren/a* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad YearNoNo

Academics and Faculty

Saturday ClassesNoNo
Classroom Dress CodeCasualCasual
Average Class Size12 students12
*National School Avg. » 20
Student : Teacher Ratio6:17:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered2418
ESL Courses OfferedYesYes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
43%
70%
Summer Program OfferedYesYes
Summer Program DetailsLink to Summer Program Details

Finances

Endowment Size$2.6 million$22 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)		$59,500
(Jr. Boarding Tuition (5/7 day) Grades 3-8: $60,500)		$58,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)		$26,000
(Varies per grade level: http://www.ovs.org/?id)		$32,250
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)		$52,500$43,260
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant$18,209
($18,209 average boarding; $10,541 average day)		$25,000
Merit Scholarships OfferedNoNo

Admission

Application DeadlineNone / RollingJan. 15
Accepts Standardized ApplicationYesNo
SSAT RequiredYesYes
Acceptance Rate
64%
57%
Director of AdmissionsTracy Wilson
Associate Director of AdmissionsMisty Hall

Course Listings

List of Courses OfferedLink to List of Courses

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered2418
CoursesAP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics C, Electricity/Magnetism, AP Physics C, Mechanics, AP Physics I, AP Physics II, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art: 2D, AP Studio Art: 3D, AP Studio Art: Drawing, AP United States History, AP World History, Honors English 10, Honors Geometry, Spanish III Honors

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered1016
SportsBaseball, Basketball, Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations1624
ExtracurricularsClub or Organization:
Computer Club, Journalism, Leadership, Robotics Team, Woodshop, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorus, Garage Band, Performing Arts

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Ropes Course, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 2017 - 201910 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
UC Irvine4
UC Riverside4
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo3
Savannah College of Art and Design3
UCLA3
Boston University2
George Washington University2
UC Berkeley2
UC Santa Barbara2
University of Washington2

School Notes

    Founded in 1911, Ojai Valley School is recognized for its challenging academics and unique programs:
  • 100% college placement
  • Interscholastic sports
  • Outdoor education (trips to Yosemite, Channel Islands, Escalante, Lost Coast, Zion, and Joshua Tree)
  • Equestrian program
  • Community service
  • Fine and performing arts
  • International ESL and summer programs
    • A spectacular location 40 miles southeast of Santa Barbara and at the foot of the Los Padres National Forest ensures weekend access to beaches, lakes and mountains.
  • Ojai Valley School accreditations: ACA, WAIC, WASC
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Barbara B. Smith (L35) - Ethnomusicologist, Professor Emeritus of Music, University of Hawaii
    • Robert Erburu (L46) - Former Chairman of the Board and CEO, Times Mirror
    • Michael Mondavi (L58) - Founder, Folio Wine Partners
    • Jeffrey Hyland (L63) - President, Hilton & Hyland, architectural historian and author
    • John Slavik (L66, U69) - Owner, Pinnacle Holdings, Inc.
    • Keith Carradine (U67) - Actor, composer, musician
    • David Lazarus (L74, U78) - American business and consumer columnist for the Los Angeles Times
    • Bruce Sommers (L79) - President of Sincbox Media
    • Mari Holden (L84, U88) - 2000 Olympic silver medalist, cycling
    • Tiana Coudray (L02,U06) - 2010 winner, USEA Gold Cup Series CIC3* division, Galway Downs International Horse Trials
Show me:
  • School Location Miles Grades Students
  • Dunn School
    Dunn School Photo - In 2020 the new Leadership Center was completed. Overlooking the open space known as Munger Common, the center provides state of the art meeting rooms and learning facilities, is home to the student-run Earwig Cafe, and hosts our college counseling team. Students can be found gathering both indoors and outside the center for conversation and relaxation.
    Grades: 9-12

    6-12 (day)
     | 249 students     49.9 milesP.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    (800) 287-9197    49.99-12

    6-12 (day)
    249
  • The Thacher School
    The Thacher School Photo - In courses designed for intellectual and creative expansion, students and teachers meet in seminar circles, studios, and laboratories to create a learning environment that is vigorous and supportive, galvanizing and nurturing.
    (25)
    Grades: 9-12 | 254 students 4.5 miles5025 Thacher Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805) 640-3210    4.59-12254
  • Cate School
    Cate School Photo - Day Walk
    (18)
    Grades: 9-12 | 300 students 12.8 miles1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
    Carpinteria, CA 93013
    (805) 684-4127    12.89-12300
  • Stevenson School
    Stevenson School Photo
    (11)
    Grades: 9-12

    Pre-K-12 (day)
     | 500 students     211.5 miles3152 Forest Lake Road
    Pebble Beach, CA 93953
    (831) 625-8300    211.59-12

    Pre-K-12 (day)
    500
  • Besant Hill School
    Besant Hill School Photo - Besant Hill School is located in the Ojai Valley, on 500 acres of private land with beautiful vistas in every direction. Facilities include four dormitories, outdoor sports facilities including a new aquatic center, indoor theater, atelier, and classrooms nestled along winding paths and oak trees. We also have an eight acre organic farm.
    (1)
    Grades: 9-12, PG | 100 students 0.9 miles8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805) 646-4343    0.99-12, PG100
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Quick Stats (2021)
  • Grades: (Boarding) 3-12
  • Students: 275 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $59,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $26,000
  • Acceptance rate: 64%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
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