Dunn School (2026 Profile)

P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441

Tel: (800) 287-9197

www.dunnschool.org

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Dunn School Photo #1 - In 2020 the new Leadership Center was completed. Overlooking the open space known as Munger Common, the center provides state of the art meeting rooms and learning facilities, is home to the student-run Earwig Cafe, and hosts our college counseling team. Students can be found gathering both indoors and outside the center for conversation and relaxation.

Dunn School Photo #2 - The STEM quad at Dunn, housing the math classrooms, tinker space, makers lab and more.

Dunn School Photo #3 - Donna Frost (Chair of the STEM department) helps a student with his robotics project.

Dunn School Photo #4 - The trees in the center of campus are great spots to catch up on class work while enjoying the California is sunshine.

Dunn School Photo #5 - Dunn School boys soccer has a history of winning league championships and sending graduates of the program on to college programs and the MLS. The team won the State CIF-- Division 6 title in 2020.

Dunn School Photo #6 - Our experiential education trips get students out into the world several times during their time at Dunn. Here, students visit the Channel Islands National Park for March Mini Term.

Dunn School Photo #7 - Dunn students are welcoming and hail from diverse backgrounds. Weekend campus life centers on Munger Common where students can be found playing ultimate frisbee with faculty, catching an outdoor film, or roasting marshmallows around a pit.

Dunn School Photo #8 - Lip Sync Battle-- just one of the activities that happen during the Community Nights throughout the year! This was hosted in the barn (which is also where our theater performances happen).

Dunn School Photo #9 - Loy Dorm houses approximately 40 girls from all over the country/world.

Dunn School Photo #10 - We have a beautiful ceramics studio full of natural light and offer several levels of courses in ceramics.

Founded in 1957, Dunn School is an independent, college preparatory, 6th through 12th grade coeducational boarding and day school.

We are located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, in Los Olivos, California, 30 miles from Santa Barbara.

Dunn School's 60-year old mission is to educate the whole student to his or her fullest potential in preparation for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society. We achieve this by focusing on the development and integration of 5 core values: Social and emotional wellness; physical readiness; intellectual growth; social responsibility; and moral courage.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
Enrollment: 249 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,900
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $31,600
Acceptance rate: 45%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Dunn School ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 107 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Dunn School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

9-12

Grades Offered (Day)

6-12

Pre-K-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Supports Learning Differences (LD)

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Mild/Moderate Learning Differences

n/a

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1957

1909

Campus Size

55 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Carpe Diem!

Student Body

Enrollment

249 students

300 students

% Students of Color

45%

25%

% International Students

16%

20%

% Students Boarding

60%

70%

Average SAT Score

1210
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Average ACT score

25
(Out of 36)

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

10 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

63%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Accreditations

Round Square

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

Advanced ArtAdvanced English 11

Advanced U.S. HistoryAdvanced World History

AP BiologyAP Calculus

AP ChemistryAP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science PrinciplesAP English Literature

AP Environmental ScienceAP Spanish

AP StatisticsEnglish 10 Honors

Math I Honors - Geometry & AlgebraMath II Honors - Data, Models, & Predictions

Math III Honors - Mathematical AnalysisSpanish II Honors

Spanish III HonorsUS History Honors

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$13 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$66,900
(Financial aid and payment plans available. Learning Strategies is an additional fee of $17,000.)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$31,600
(Financial aid and payment plans available. Learning Strategies is an additional fee.)

$33,500

Tuition international students

$66,900

$53,975

Summer Program Cost

$8,500
(Includes tuition, room, board, and activities for 4 weeks.)

% Students on Financial Aid

56%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$22,961
(Not available for Learning Strategies.)

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

Feb. 1 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Acceptance Rate

45%

58%

Director of Admissions

Mike Mckee

Associate Director of Admissions

Sarah Harris

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BaseballBasketball

ClimbingCross Country

LacrosseMountain Biking

Rock ClimbingSoccer

SoftballSurf Team

TennisTrack and Field

Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball

Colors

Black, Grey, Red

School Mascot

Earwig

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Affinity ClubBadminton Club

Computer Science ClubDance Company

Debate ClubDormitory Council

Film ClubPeer Tutoring Association

Spirit CommitteeStudent Government

Surf ClubSustainability Club

Youth 4 Direct Relief Club

Arts and Music Programs:

Drama/TheatreDunn School Band

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Mountain BikingPickle Ball

SwimmingYoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Chapman

Northeastern University

University of California - Irvine

University of California at Los Angeles

University of Southern California (USC)

Barnard College

California Polytechnic State University

New York University

University of Oregon

Wellesley College

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

Dunn School has a long history of facilitating the education, growth, and development of passion and knowledge of a diverse group of students. Our alumni have gone on to lead lives of leadership and responsibility in all manner of ways.Our whole student education approach is founded on close personal relationships between faculty and students in aligned partnership with parents. Our family-oriented, small school culture allows us to know each student deeply and individually. Through our one to one advisor program, we help students to discover and explore their passions and interests, take on challenges, and discover their academic and non-academic potential - while preserving their emotional and mental wellness. No matter where Dunn students are or what they are doing, they are always learning.How is Dunn School different than other boarding schools? We encourage you to visit our beautiful campus to meet our community and discover our inspiring culture and inclusive ethos that makes Dunn unique. There is something at Dunn for any student who is motivated and willing to do the work - whether your goal is to attend a top tier college, play athletics at a competitive level, hone your entreprenuerial or music skills, or develop a well rounded portfolio of personal and educational experiences that will ignite passion and lifelong learning. Our dedicated community will help you get there and provide a life changing experience in the process.Take a virtual campus tour
LD types supported: Mild/Moderate Learning Differences
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Mike Boone - Inventor of Boone Boards and highly successful serial entrepreneur.
- Justin Ching '07 - Film maker, professor at USC, and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient.
- Nyuol Tong '10 - Founder/Publisher of The Bare Life Review and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient.
- Yoky Matsuoka - Co-founder of Google X, CTO of Google Nest.
- Abu Danladi '19 - MLS recruit and Gatorade National Player of the Year. Currently playing for Nashville Soccer Club.
- Aiden Terry - Oscar-winning animater who worked with Kobe Bryant.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Dunn School cost?

Dunn School's tuition is approximately $66,900 for boarding students and $31,600 for day students.

What schools are Dunn School often compared to?

Dunn School is often viewed alongside schools like Cate School by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Dunn School?

The acceptance rate of Dunn School is 45%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from Dunn School?

Dunn School famous alumni include: Mike Boone, Justin Ching '07, Nyuol Tong '10, Yoky Matsuoka, Abu Danladi '19 and Aiden Terry.

What sports does Dunn School offer?

Dunn School offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Surf Team, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.

Does Dunn School offer a summer program?

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

What is Dunn School's ranking?

Dunn School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small average class sizes and Low student-teacher ratio.

When is the application deadline for Dunn School?

The application deadline for Dunn School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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