Ojai Valley School

5.00 5 1 (1 review)
Tel: (805)646-1423
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
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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.
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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 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 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 offers a challenging college prep curriculum with opportunities for Advanced Placement (AP) and honors course work. Last year, juniors and seniors took, on average, three AP classes each year.
Outdoor Education is a key part of the OVS experience. Students in grades 3-12 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 Sierras.
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, and lacrosse.
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.
At the OVS Upper Campus, high school students in grades 9-12 flourish from the attention they receive in small classes and benefit from a college prep program that emphasizes character development and academic achievement.
The arts curriculum at OVS include drawing, music theory and composition, music history, voice, ceramics, photography and three AP art courses. Students have the opportunity to explore costume design, graphic design, and film. They can also participate in electives such as dance and chorus. OVS produces musical and drama productions throughout the year.
Recent college acceptances for our students include Brown, Columbia, Northeastern, NYU, King?'s College London, St. Andrews University, Boston University, Colorado State, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Pitzer College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and others.
  • 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 2011
    5 Stars   7/12/2012
    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 
2017 School Data
Ojai Valley SchoolBoarding School Avg.
School FocusCollege PrepCollege Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)3-127-12
Grades Offered (Day)Pre-K-127-12
School TypeCo-edCo-ed
ADD/ADHD SupportYesYes
Religious AffiliationNon-denominationalNon-denominational
Year Founded19111910
Campus Size195 acres105 acres

Student Body

Enrollment269 students300 students
% Students of Color
9%
20%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
40%
67%
Average SAT Scoren/a* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)1834 - 2086-
Offers Post-Grad YearNoNo

Academics and Faculty

Saturday ClassesNoNo
Classroom Dress CodeCasualCasual
Average Class Size12 students12
*National School Avg. » 20
Teacher : Student Ratio1:61:7
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered1917
ESL Courses OfferedYesYes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
43%
70%
Summer Program OfferedYesYes

Finances

Endowment Size$2.6 million$18 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)		$50,500
(Jr. Boarding Tuition (5/7 day) Grades 3-5: $44,500)		$54,400
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)		$20,500
(Varies per grade level: http://www.ovs.org/?id)		$30,000
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)		$44,500$39,900
% Students on Financial Aid
27%
37%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant10635$22,844
Merit Scholarships OfferedNoNo

Admission

Application DeadlineFeb. 1 / rollingJan. 15
Accepts Standardized ApplicationYesNo
SSAT RequiredYesYes
Average Percentile SSAT45%-
Acceptance Rate
64%
55%
Director of AdmissionsTracy Wilson
Associate Director of AdmissionsJohn Valenzuela

Course Listings

List of Courses OfferedLink to List of Courses

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered1917
CoursesAP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, 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, Honors Spanish II

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered1015
SportsBaseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations2424
ExtracurricularsClub or Organization:
Community Service Club, Computer Club, International Studies, Journalism, Leadership, Photography & Video, Woodshop, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Acting, Chorus, Performing Arts

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Cycling Club, Hiking Club, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Kickboxing, Rock Climbing, Ropes Course, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 2012 - 201410 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Chapman University5
New York University3
University of Nevada, Las Vegas3
Boston University2
California College of the Arts2
California Lutheran University2
George Washington2
Michigan State University2
Occidental College2
University of California, San Diego2

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, Escalante, the Lost Coast and Joshua Tree)
  • Equestrian program
  • Community service (includes a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico)
  • 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.
  • 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
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Quick Stats
  • Grades: (Boarding) 3-12
  • Students: 269 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $50,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $20,500
  • Acceptance rate: 64%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
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