Besant Hill School (2026 Profile)

5.00 (1 review)

Tel: (805) 646-4343

8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023

www.besanthill.org

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Besant Hill School Photo #2 - A spectacular view of the Topa Topa mountains from the common room in our Phoenix dorm. Students gather here for study sessions, snacks and social activities.

Besant Hill School Photo #5 - Art class in our beautiful atelier. Visual arts courses include film, photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, printing, and more. Students benefit from field trips to local art galleries and museums in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

At Besant Hill, it's about embracing and loving every aspect of who you are.You want to be cared for, allowed to grow, and free to be yourself in a culture of learning and respect.You want to be independent, creative and take risks.You want to become a lifelong learner who is adaptable to change and new learning.

At Besant Hill, you'll be able to unleash your full potential.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12, PG
Enrollment: 100 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,275
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,200
Acceptance rate: 50%
Average class size: 8 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Besant Hill School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Besant Hill School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

Pre-prof. Arts / College-prep

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12, PG

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Supports Learning Differences (LD)

Yes

Year Founded

1946

1909

Campus Size

520 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Aún Aprendo – “I am still learning.”

Student Body

Enrollment

100 students

300 students

% Students of Color

13%

25%

% International Students

15%

20%

% Students Boarding

85%

70%

Average SAT Score

1050
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Average ACT score

24
(Out of 36)

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Yes

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual
Respectful and Appropriate

Casual

Average Class Size

8 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

Advanced Environmental StudiesAdvanced Studio Art

Algebra II HonorsAP Biology

AP Calculus ABAP Economics

AP EnglishAP Environmental Science

AP GovernmentAP Human Geography

AP PhysicsAP Spanish

AP StatisticsAP US History

Honors English

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$2 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$64,275
(Tuition includes room and board fees)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$34,200

$33,500

Tuition international students

$71,400

$53,975

% Students on Financial Aid

20%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$20,000
(Apply at solutionsbysss.com)

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Acceptance Rate

50%

58%

Director of Admissions

Tracy How

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BasketballCross Country

SoccerSwimming

Volleyball

Colors

Blue and Gold

School Mascot

Coyote

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Cooking ClubEnvironmental Sustainability

Film Club

Arts and Music Programs:

ActingArt Club

Ceramics ClubChoir

Dance ActivityDance Club

Digital ArtLanguage Enhancement

Playwriting ClubPrefects (Senior Student Leaders)

SAGE- Students Affirming Gender EqualitySTEM

StudioTheater

Voice

Recreational Athletic Programs:

CrossfitOutdoor Education

Peer Writing CenterSandy Hook Promise

SurfingSwimming

WeightWeight Lifting

Yoga

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate

99%

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Lewis & Clark College

San Diego State University

Sarah Lawrence College

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Washington

Emerson College

New York University

University of California, Berkeley

University of Redlands

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

As a community, our goal is to cultivate what is excellent in each student. Besant Hill School provides a small intimate learning environment where students are able to fully explore and express both their intellectual and creative abilities. With small classes, positive student/teacher relationships, and a quiet, rural location, we provide a safe and peaceful atmosphere for learning, study, contemplation, and self-expression. The mission of Besant Hill School is the development of each individual's intellectual and artistic abilities. Through awakening the spirit of inquiry, we encourage each student to pursue integrity and excellence. Our non-competitive community builds honesty, respect, compassion and responsibility. Our goal is to develop a lifelong habit of learning as embodied in our school's motto Aun Aprendo, I am still learning.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Portia Johnson, Head of School, Class of 2000 -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Besant Hill School cost?

Besant Hill School's tuition is approximately $64,275 for boarding students and $34,200 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of Besant Hill School?

The acceptance rate of Besant Hill School is 50%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from Besant Hill School?

Besant Hill School famous alumni include: Portia Johnson, Head of School, Class of 2000.

What sports does Besant Hill School offer?

Besant Hill School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming and Volleyball.

Does Besant Hill School offer a summer program?

Yes, Besant Hill School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What is Besant Hill School's ranking?

Besant Hill School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student-teacher ratio.

When is the application deadline for Besant Hill School?

The application deadline for Besant Hill School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Besant Hill School Alumni #1
Class of 2013
5.005/30/2013
CU Boulder

The sense of community at Besant hill is truly unique. I almost never felt homesick because I always felt at home. My teachers became my best friends, and my best friends became my brothers and. . .

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