Ojai Valley School Photo #9 - Outdoor Education is a key part of the OVS experience. Students in all grades participate in multiple outdoor trips throughout the year, including mountaineering, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and whitewater rafting.

Ojai Valley School

Tel: (805) 646-1423 Ext. 1259
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
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Ojai Valley School Photo #1 - OVS offers an exceptional college-prep program. Recent college acceptances for our students include Stanford, Columbia, Northeastern, NYU, Boston College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Pitzer College, Smith College, Vassar College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and many more.
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Ojai Valley School Photo #1 - OVS offers an exceptional college-prep program. Recent college acceptances for our students include Stanford, Columbia, Northeastern, NYU, Boston College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Pitzer College, Smith College, Vassar College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and many more.
Ojai Valley School Photo #2 - 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 Photo #3 - OVS students enjoy time together on our two campuses in the Ojai Valley in Southern California. Throughout the year, student life is punctuated with fun events to balance the academic schedule. These include camping trips, socials, themed dress days, community service projects, and countless weekend excursions.
Ojai Valley School Photo #4 - At the OVS Upper Campus, high school students in grades 9-12 flourish from the attention they receive in small classes (averaging 10-12 students) and benefit from a college prep program that emphasizes character development and academic achievement.
Ojai Valley School Photo #5 - 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 Photo #6 - 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, swimming, and lacrosse.
Ojai Valley School Photo #7 - Ojai Valley School offers a challenging college prep curriculum with opportunities for Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses - 27 in all, from AP Computer Science Principles, to AP Psychology, to AP 3-D Studio Art. Last year, juniors and seniors took, on average, three AP classes each year.
Ojai Valley School Photo #8 - 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.
Ojai Valley School Photo #9 - The visual & performing arts curriculum at OVS includes drawing, advanced studio art, music theory & composition, voice, piano, guitar, ceramics, photography, graphic design, music history, film, AP art courses and more. Students have the opportunity to perform in concerts and musicals and participate in electives such as dance and garage band.
Ojai Valley School Photo #10 - Outdoor Education is a key part of the OVS experience. Students in all grades participate in multiple outdoor trips throughout the year, including mountaineering, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and whitewater rafting.
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.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 3-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 323 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $70,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,000
  • Acceptance rate: 64%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Ojai Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Ojai Valley School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
3-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Dyslexia, ADHD
n/a
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1911
1906
Campus Size
195 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
323 students
315 students
% Students of Color
9%
26%
% International Students
11%
20%
% Students Boarding
27%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
26
18
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
43%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$2.9 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$70,500
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$34,000
(Varies per grade level: www.ovs.org)
$35,600
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$62,000
$49,400
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,209
($18,209 average boarding; $10,541 average day)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
64%
60%
Director of Admissions
Tracy Wilson
Associate Director of Admissions
Misty Hall

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
26
18
Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics C, Electricity/Magnetism, AP Physics C, Mechanics, AP Physics I, AP Physics II, AP Psychology, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art: 2D, AP Studio Art: 3D, AP Studio Art: Drawing, AP United States History, AP World History, Honors Calculus, Honors English 10, Spanish III Honors

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
16
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Computer Club, Journalism, Leadership, Robotics Team, Woodshop, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorus, Garage Band, Performing Arts

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Ropes Course, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 2020 - 2024
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
UC Santa Cruz
7
UCLA
7
UC Davis
6
New York University
4
UC Irvine
4
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
3
Stanford University
3
UC Berkeley
3
UC San Diego
3
University of Washington
3

School Notes

    Founded in 1911, Ojai Valley School is recognized for its challenging academics and unique programs:
  • High School (9-12 grades) and Junior Boarding (3-8 grades)
  • 100% college placement
  • Interscholastic sports
  • Outdoor education (trips to Yosemite, Channel Islands, Escalante, Lost Coast, Zion, and Joshua Tree)
  • Equestrian program
  • Community service
  • 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.
  • LD types supported: Dyslexia, ADHD
  • Ojai Valley School accreditations: ACA, WAIC, WASC, CAIS
  • 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
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Ojai Valley School cost?
Ojai Valley School's tuition is approximately $70,500 for boarding students and $34,000 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Ojai Valley School?
The acceptance rate of Ojai Valley School is 64%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from Ojai Valley School?
Ojai Valley School famous alumni include: Barbara B. Smith (L35), Robert Erburu (L46), Michael Mondavi (L58), Jeffrey Hyland (L63), John Slavik (L66, U69), Keith Carradine (U67), David Lazarus (L74, U78), Bruce Sommers (L79), Mari Holden (L84, U88) and Tiana Coudray (L02,U06).
What sports does Ojai Valley School offer?
Ojai Valley School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Riding, Soccer, Surf Team, Tennis, Track, Track and Field and Volleyball.
Does Ojai Valley School offer a summer program?
Yes, Ojai Valley School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Ojai Valley School's ranking?
Ojai Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Ojai Valley School?
The application deadline for Ojai Valley School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2020
5.00
CSUCI and VC
Our two children have been attending OVS as day students since pre-K. Our son is in the 4th grade, our daughter in the 1st. My husband attended school there once upon a time. . .

Class of 2011
5.00
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. . .
Submit Review for Ojai Valley School
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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 3-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 323 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $70,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,000
  • Acceptance rate: 64%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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