The Athenian School

5.00 (1 review)

Tel: (925) 362-7223

2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.
Danville, CA 94506

www.athenian.org

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With distinctive meaningful programs, 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: an exciting and challenging academic curriculum, required community service, a required wilderness course, and extraordinary international experiences.

Other signature programs include: town meeting, an airplane construction project, an award-winning robotics team, and many international opportunities (exchange, service projects, annual conferences, and faculty-led educational and service trips).

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.

Virtually 100% gain admission to 4-yr. universities, fr om all the Univ. of CA campuses, to USC, Stanford, all the Ivy League campuses, outstanding liberal arts colleges, and a wide range of others.

Athenian encourages students to find the colleges or universities that best fit them, and most students gain admission to their first-choice school.

Most importantly, Athenian students develop a deep understanding of themselves, extraordinary skills for achievement, and the compassion to make a positive difference in the world.

Quick Stats (2023)

Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
Enrollment: 535 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $78,470
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,210
Acceptance rate: 43%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Athenian School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 298 schools) for:

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2022 School Data

The Athenian School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

9-12

5-12

Grades Offered (Day)

6-12

Pre-K-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1965

1906

Campus Size

75 acres

125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment

535 students

310 students

% Students of Color

61%

25%

% International Students

11%

20%

% Students Boarding

16%

70%

Average SAT Score

1379

* National Avg. »View

Average ACT score

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

15 students

* National Avg. »18

Student : Teacher Ratio

10:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

76%

71%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size

$10 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$78,470

$61,400

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$51,210
(Middle School tuition is 40,300)

$33,900

Tuition international students

$80,260

$55,000

Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)

$78,470

$44,616

% Students on Financial Aid

26%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$34,000

$25,000

Merit Scholarships Offered

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline

Feb. 15 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application

Yes

Acceptance Rate

43%

58%

Director of Admissions

Christopher Beeson

Associate Director of Admissions

Nenelwa Tomi

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

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

Sports

Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:
Asian Club, Floor Hockey, Gardening Society, Juggling, 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

Year: 2018 - 2021

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

University of California, Los Angeles

Tufts University

University of California, Santa Cruz

Washington University, St. Louis

University of California, Davis

Tulane University

University of Calfornia, Irvine

University of Puget Sound

University of San Fransciso

University of Southern California

Link to Matriculation Data

School Notes

Interdisciplinary humanities courses in grades 9 and 10, followed by diverse seminars in history and literature
Hands-on and applied science options, including: an airplane construction project, an applied science course, and an award-winning robotics team
Extensive mathematics offerings beyond our two years of AP calculus courses to AP statistics and AP computer science
Extensive offerings in the arts, including drawing, painting, pottery, stained glass, and photography, theatre, dance, and chorus
Honors and/or AP courses accross the curriculum
Superb college counseling with an individual plan for each student and counselors dedicated only to college advising

Beyond the classroom, Athenian prepares students for the future as world citizens through:

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.
Service Learning in which academic courses include hands-on experiential learning with a community service focus. Such programs happen on campus, in the San Francisco Bay Area, and on international trips to such places as Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe.

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." --Sarah Ames, Athenian Class of 2005, Vassar College
"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." --Deepak and Sherry Kamlani, current parents
"Athenian encourages maturation as a full person and student. Athenian created a passion for learning in my son. He attended a Round Square conference in South Africa that profoundly affected him. He wants to help better the world. Jason now attends Stanford. The excitement about ideas ignited at Athenian shone through in his Stanford application. --Tina Levy, alumni parent (Jason, Athenian Class of 2004)
"Athenian contributed to my growth as an intellectual and individual. The Athenian community helped me understand my role as a citizen of the world. I will be able to contribute to the greater society thanks to Athenian's rich ideals and supportive atmosphere. I will always cherish and stay connected to this amazing place." --Carmen Jimenez-Robbins, Athenian Class of 2005, Brown Univ.
"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." --Margaret Bam, boarding student parent, South Africa
"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." --Kevin Burke, Athenian Class of 2005, University of Pennsylvania
The Athenian School accreditations: WASC, NAIS, CAIS, TABS, SSAT, ERB
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Phillip Bennett - Geology Professor, Univ. of Texas, Austin
- Benjamin Brandzel - MoveOn.org Student Action Founder
- Greg Sherwood Cohalen - Emmy Award-Winning Public Broadcasting Anchor
- Craig Debro - KTVU 2, Oakland, Television News Reporter
- Joan Haratani - Attorney, San Francisco Bar Association President
- 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

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Athenian School cost?

The Athenian School's tuition is approximately $78,470 for boarding students and $51,210 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of The Athenian School?

The acceptance rate of The Athenian School is 43%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from The Athenian School?

The Athenian School famous alumni include: Phillip Bennett, Benjamin Brandzel, Greg Sherwood Cohalen, Craig Debro, Joan Haratani, Carol Moldaw, Douglas Perednia, Korshied Samad, Jackie Thomas and Andrew Wistrich.

What sports does The Athenian School offer?

The Athenian School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, 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 # of AP/advanced courses offered and High average SAT scores.

When is the application deadline for The Athenian School?

The application deadline for The Athenian 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

The Athenian School Alumni #1
Class of 2016
5.0010/29/2016
Brown University

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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