Besant Hill School
Ojai
California
United States
Overview
Established in 1946 and situated on 520 acres in the resort town of Ojai, California, our residential community offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with a cornerstone of creative expression and divergent thinking for grades 9-12 and PG. Besant Hill School offers over 20 art electives, AP level courses, competitive athletics, travel and experiential education programs, small class sizes, a 4:1 student teacher ratio and a student body of 100 students from 15 foreign countries and 10 states. Our motto of "Aún Aprendo" reflects our belief that life can be lived in its fullest sense through lifelong efforts towards personal development and growth. We believe we are a model for the way education should occur, where students are taught how to think, not what to think, where our land is a laboratory for a sustainable planet, where rules are replaced with values and principles developed by all of us, where the arts are a foundation for our belief that creative expression is as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. We are a school that believes that life isn’t about finding yourself — it’s about creating yourself.
Academics
Summary: Academic programs at Besant Hill School emphasize our school motto, “Aún Aprendo, I am still learning.” We aim to instill a lifelong love of learning. Besant Hill School is a rigorous college preparatory school offering curriculum balanced with experiential learning and arts programs.
Department Director Claire Lowndes
Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Average Class Size: 8
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 20
Number of AP Courses Offered: 10
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 80.0%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Learning Differences Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Technology Center
- ADD/ADHD Support
English
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Poetry
- Public Speaking
- AP English Literature
History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
- Art History
Foreign Languages
- French
- Spanish
- English as a Second Language
Religion / Philosophy
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Human Geography
- World Issues
Sciences
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science
- Psychology
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Statistics
- Pre-Calculus
Music
- Choral Music
- Music History
- Music Theory
- A Cappella
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Drama
- Drawing
- Film and Video
- Lighting Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Digital Imaging
- Multimedia
Special Programs
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
- Student Council
- Digital Design
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 3
Average Students Per Dorm: 25
Number of Girls Dorms: 1
Number of Boys Dorms: 1
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
- Refrigerator
Other Dorm Amenities
Facilities
- Basketball Court
- Pool
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
- Soccer Field
- Tennis Courts
- Weight Room
- Athletic Fields
- Cross Country Trails
Other Facilities
- Modern art and ceramics studios.
Clubs & Organizations
- Diversity Club
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Gardening Club
- International Club
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Surfing Club
- Yearbook
- Radio Station
- Film Club
- GSA
- Tutoring Prefects
- Farming
Arts & Athletics
Arts Department Director:
Athletics Department Director:
Arts
- Acting
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Drama
- Drawing
- Film and Video
- Lighting Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Digital Imaging
- Multimedia
Interscholastic Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Soccer
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Badminton
- Dance
- Golf
- Outdoor Education
- Skateboarding
- Soccer
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Weight Lifting
- Yoga
- Fitness
- Pickleball
- Outdoor Activities
Graduates
Summary: At Besant Hill School, a fully focused preparatory school, the College Counseling Office works closely with all students and their families from the moment they arrive on campus. Students are encouraged to develop and explore passions and interests while keeping in mind their responsibility toward their overall health, success, and personal fulfillment.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100.0%
| Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | |||
| 75th percentile |
Notable Alumni
Alex J. Mandl
Class of
Alex J. Mandl was a notable Austrian-American businessman. He was the Executive Chairman of smart card giant Gemalto. He had been named "One of America's Most Powerful Businessmen" by Forbes magazine.
Thomas Philip Pollock
Class of
Thomas Philip Pollock was an American film producer and studio executive. He started his career as an entertainment lawyer, before transitioning to a studio executive and film producer.
Cheryl Crane
Class of
Cheryl Christina Crane is an American retired real estate broker, author and former model.
Kaffe Fassett
Class of
Frank Havrah "Kaffe" Fassett, MBE, is an American-born, British-based artist who is best known for his colourful designs in the decorative arts—needlepoint, patchwork, knitting, painting and ceramics.
Quotes From Alumni
““Try new things that scare you, but also excite you. Take every opportunity presented to you. Besant Hill is the place to shine and to be seen!””
-, Class of 2015,
““Besant Hill will forever hold a special place in my heart, as it is my first American home. It brings the best out of you and prepares you to take on the world. That’s where the magic is!””
-, Class of 2010,
“"From Barcelona to Ojai, my year at Besant Hill was truly life-changing. As an international student, I acquired English fluency that has opened numerous professional opportunities in my career."”
-, Class of 1993,
““I have fond memories of Besant Hill and am grateful for the journey from Beirut to Ojai! From feeling like I belonged during my visit to thriving in Student Government, it was an amazing experience. Now, attending American University, I treasure the moments and lessons learned. My advice to fellow students: Embrace the present, cherish the memories, and never take any of it for granted!””
-, Class of 2022,
“"The school chose me! It was a perfect match from the very beginning."”
-, Class of 2014,
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 68
Total Day: 9
Total Enrollment: 77
Boys: 36
Girls: 41
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: February 1st
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $71,400
5-Day Boarding: $0
Day Tuition Fee: $29,295
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 20.0%
Average Awarded: $20,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $0
Current Endowment Amount: $0
Contact
Director of Admissions: Tracy How
Admissions Phone: 805-646-4343
Fax: 805-646-4371
Email: thow@besanthill.org
Website: besanthill.org
Nearby Schools
- The Thacher School - 2mi / 3 km
- Ojai Valley School - 4mi / 7 km
- Villanova Preparatory School - 4mi / 7 km
- Cate School - 17mi / 27 km
- Dunn School - 54mi / 87 km
- Midland School - 55mi / 89 km
