Ojai Valley School

Boarding Schools  Ojai Valley School

Ojai Valley School

Ojai Valley School

www.ovs.org

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location type grades students int’l. s-f ratio class SSAT SAT-avg TOEFL
Ojai, CA co-ed 3-12 275 20% 6:1 12 Opt’l 1330 80

The founders of Ojai Valley School, which was established in 1911, believed that children learned best through experience and sought to establish a school that would emphasize experiential learning and a love for the outdoors. That history and philosophy continue today. Ojai Valley School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school serving nearly 300 students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade in beautiful Ojai, CA.

Our school is located on two campuses in the Ojai Valley. The Lower Campus, near downtown Ojai, enrolls 179 students in grades pre-kindergarten to eight. The Upper Campus, located seven miles to the east, enrolls 114 students in grades nine to twelve. The academic program on both campuses is challenging and well-rounded, encouraging students to explore their interests, know themselves, and develop a respect for others. Students participate in outdoor education, equestrian, fine and performing arts programs, as well as athletics and community service.

The philosophy of Ojai Valley School is contained in two words: “Integer Vitae” – meaning wholeness of life, symmetry of life, soundness of life, and, therefore, poise and strength of life. To accommodate the school philosophy, every effort is made to create an atmosphere for students and staff which is conducive to learning and growing through the framework of a warm family environment.

 Academics

At the Upper Campus, grades 9-12, day and resident students flourish from the attention they receive in small classes and benefit from a college-preparatory program that emphasizes character development and academic achievement. We offer a supportive environment in which students are encouraged to question their teachers, seek new ways to learn, and discover the complexity of the world around them.

 Special Highlights

Community Service. Throughout the year, our students participate in a wide array of fun and inspiring extracurricular activities and service projects that enhance the educational experience at Upper Campus. Community service projects include beach clean-ups, food drives, and weekly visits to the Humane Society of Ojai. Last year, students, parents and teachers participated in the Relay for Life to raise money and awareness of the fight against cancer.

Outdoor Education. The Outdoor Education program on both campuses introduces students to the stunning mountains, canyons, deserts, and beaches in the West, while teaching students how to respect and care for our fragile environment. Students in grades 9-12 participate in multi-day backpacking and camping trips in the Sespe Wilderness, Sierra Nevadas, Channel Islands National Park, and beyond.

 Top colleges attended by students

Chapman, UC Los Angeles, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, Boston College, Boston University, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Washington, Wellesley College

 What the school looks for in students…

“We want outgoing, intellectually curious students who are eager to participate in all aspects of campus life, including college-preparatory academics, athletics, outdoor education, fine and performing arts.”