The Athenian School goes far beyond preparing talented and diverse students for outstanding colleges.
Athenian empowers its graduates to become world citizens with lives of purpose and personal fulfillment.
Athenian's distinguishing features include: small class size, extraordinary teachers, a challenging academic curriculum, a required wilderness course and extensive international experiences (exchanges, trips and conferences).
Located on 75 beautiful acres at the base of Mt. Diablo, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area's only nonsectarian school with a high school boarding program.
Graduates attend outstanding university and colleges throughout the country and report being exceptionally well prepared to do well and thrive in college and beyond.
Athenian teaches students independence and self-advocacy, and encourages students to use their knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
- Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
- Enrollment: 525 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $90,900
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $59,275
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 10 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Athenian School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 281 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12
6-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1965
1907
Campus Size
75 acres
125 acres
First Day of School
Mon. Aug 18, 2025
Student Body
Enrollment
525 students
315 students
% Students of Color
57%
26%
% International Students
11%
21%
% Students Boarding
16%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
7:1
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$10 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$90,900
$67,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$59,275
(Upper School Day)
(Upper School Day)
$36,000
Tuition international students
$92,900
$59,000
% Students on Financial Aid
25%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$37,200
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
Director of Admissions
Yocelin Gonzalez
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
18
Courses
Honors Advanced Art, Honors Advanced Biology, Honors Advanced Chemistry, Honors Advanced Choir, Honors Advanced Dance and Performance, Honors Advanced Filmmaking, Honors Advanced Photography, Honors Advanced Physics, Honors Algebra II, Honors Algorithms (computer science), Honors Applied Science, Honors Applied Science and Engineering, Honors Biology, Honors Calculus, Honors Calculus AB, Honors Calculus BC, Honors Chinese III, Honors Chinese IV, Honors Chinese V, Honors Computer Science, Honors Data Structures, Honors French IV, Honors French V, Honors History Seminars (many), Honors Humanitas, Honors Literature Seminars (many), Honors Macroeconomics, Honors Multivariable Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Social Psychology, Honors Spanish III, Honors Spanish IV, Honors Spanish V, Honors Statistics
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
13
16
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
26
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Asian Club, Floor Hockey, Gardening Society, Outdoor Adventure, QED Math Club, Robotics Team--award-winning, Round Square Int'l. Service Projects, Round Square Int'l. Student Conferences, Round Square Study Abroad, Squash, Student Self-Government, Students of Color, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
On Campus speakers and artists, Poetry Interest Group, Poetry Readings, Theater Interest Group, Theater Productions
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Athenian Wilderness Experience--required, Computer Technology Association, Rock Climbing, Running, Sailing, Ultimate Frisbee, Weight Lifting, Yoga
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of California, Los Angeles
10
Tufts University
7
University of California, Santa Cruz
6
Washington University, St. Louis
6
University of California, Davis
5
Tulane University
4
University of Calfornia, Irvine
4
University of Puget Sound
4
University of San Fransciso
4
University of Southern California
4
School Notes
-
Athenian's superb curriculum extends far beyond academic subjects with distinctive programs which develop students as world citizens for successful, meaningful, and purposeful lives.The academic curriculum offers:
- Interdisciplinary humanities courses in grades 9 and 10, followed by diverse honors seminars in history and literature
- Hands-on and applied science options, including engineering and computer science
- Extensive mathematics offerings including honors classes in advanced math.
- Extensive offerings in the arts, including drawing, painting, pottery, stained glass, and photography, theatre, dance, and chorus
- Superb college counseling with an individual plan for each student and counselors dedicated only to college advising
- Meaningful required community service
- Extraordinary international opportunities through the Round Square Consortium of 100 schools on six continents: study abroad exchanges, international community service projects, and annual international student conferences
- Participation in school-governance through town meeting
- Guidance from a residential community of faculty who live on campus with their families. Faculty know students well, offering advice and support as mentors for each student.
- The Athenian Wilderness Experience, required of all 11th grade students (a meaningful program developing independence, leadership, and teamwork)
- An amazing an advantageous location which offers a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo as well as easy access to the San Francisco Bay Area
- Faculty who not only teach academic subjects but mentor students individually as academic advisors, residential program advisors, dormitory parents, coaches, club sponsors, community service trip leaders, and interim trip leaders. ALUMNI & PARENTS SAY:"With the perfect balance of challenge and nurturing, Athenian teachers encourage you to experience and connect with your studies. I enjoyed academics, athletics, and the arts. I pursued my passions, graduating more certain of myself. I felt intellectually confident in my first college class. Athenian changes lives, and it's graduates affect change in the world." "Athenian's inclusive environment enables every student to make a mark--whether in academics, performance and art, or clubs and sports. Athenian consistently produces bright, engaging, and confident young adults who are keenly aware that they are citizens of the world." "Athenian teachers respect students, saying, "I not only see your children as they are now, but as what they can become." In my daughter, I now see a strong student, a self-motivated learner, and a well-rounded young lady with the desire to serve and take full responsibility for her life." "At Athenian you can do so many things--like start a club or propose a change. The avenues are open for you to explore. Personally, Athenian teachers are open to conversation outside of the classroom, and you get to know people really well. I have learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom. Many students leave Athenian and find college writing easy; Athenian prepared them well."
- The Athenian School accreditations: WASC, NAIS, CAIS, TABS, SSAT, ERB
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Carol Moldaw - Noted Poet, Winner of the Field Prize
- Douglas Perednia - Physician, Business Executive, Entrepreneur
- Korshied Samad - Journalist, Bureau Chief, Afghan Nonprofit Org. Founder
- Jackie Thomas - Nike Executive, Athenian School Trustee
- Andrew Wistrich - United States District Magistrate Judge
- School Motto: Truth and Honor
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Athenian School cost?
The Athenian School's tuition is approximately $90,900 for boarding students and $59,275 for day students.
Who are famous alumni from The Athenian School?
The Athenian School famous alumni include: Carol Moldaw, Douglas Perednia, Korshied Samad, Jackie Thomas and Andrew Wistrich.
What sports does The Athenian School offer?
The Athenian School offers 13 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is The Athenian School's ranking?
The Athenian School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for The Athenian School?
The application deadline for The Athenian School is Jan. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
1) AWE - 26 Day backpacking trip in either High Sierras or Death Valley. It is truly a life-changing experience and you really get to know the 10 people that you are grouped with. It. . .
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The nearest boarding school to The Athenian School is Woodside Priory School (Priory) (34.7 miles away)
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