Maharishi School (2026 Profile)

5.00 (2 reviews)

Tel: (641) 472-9400 Ext. 5076

804 Dr Robert K Wallace Drive
Fairfield, IA 52556

maharishischool.org

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Maharishi School Photo #1 - Maharishi School is a non-sectarian, PS-12, day and boarding school with students from over 30 countries. The School offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and programs that expand a student's consciousness. Students start and end each day with yoga and meditation.

Maharishi School Photo #2 - Our Pioneer tennis program is renowned in Iowa for 20 State Championshipssingles (9), doubles (6) and team tennis (5). Maharishi School is the only Iowa high school to win three Triple Crowns (1999, 2000, 2014) winning State Singles, Doubles, and Team titles in the same year. Other sports offered include intramural soccer, golf, intramural basketball, track and volleyball.

Maharishi School Photo #3 - Destination Imagination, international competition: In 2017, six teams won at the state level and one team placed 1st at the Global Finals competition against over 1500 teams worldwide. They also won the DaVinci Award for outstanding creativity. In 30-year history: 50 state champions, 6 Global Finals 1st place winners, 29 Top Ten awards, most wins in State 2000-2017.

Maharishi School Photo #4 - With over 30 countries represented at the school, students are able to build lasting friendships that extend throughout their lives and all over the world.

Maharishi School Photo #5 - Maharishi School has an on-campus dormitory to host up to 27 students. The dorm features amenities such as a common media room where boarders can watch movies or sports on the big screen TV, board games and ping-pong tables, dedicated study hours where students can work productively and quietly.

Maharishi School Photo #6 - Our students love the Iowa High School Speech Association Competition. Over our 30-year history students won 17 state championships and tied for most wins in the state; 2016: Critic's Choice 1st Place for Musical Theater

Maharishi School Photo #7 - School motto is "Know Yourself. Think Deeply. Unleash Your Creativity. Succeed." Students focus on staying happy and rested while participating in rigorous sports and competitions and strong college preparatory curriculum.

Maharishi School Photo #8 - Three brick buildings form the main classroom complex of Maharishi School which overlook a central garden and 4100 square foot organic greenhouse. The school has two libraries, three computer labs, three art rooms, a fully equipped digital and conventional photography lab, two music rooms, and a spacious auditorium. Athletic facilities include a Basketball gym, outdoor tennis courts, & Recreation Center

Maharishi School Photo #9 - Project-based learning allows our students to follow their passion and succeed. Learn more about our cool projects: https://maharishischool.org/programs/project-based-learning/

Maharishi School, located in Fairfield, Iowa, has the mission of preparing students for college and developing their consciousness.

Maharishi School provides a Preschool-12th grade day and boarding option for 8th-12th grades, to experience in a safe and healthy environment which develops students' ability to know themselves, think deeply, unleash their creativity, and succeed.

Maharishi School is a non-sectarian, co-ed school with students from over 30 countries.

Students start and end their day with meditation (Transcendental Meditation) and yoga.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
Enrollment: 184 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $39,000
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $19,500
Acceptance rate: 70%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

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

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Maharishi School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

9-12

Grades Offered (Day)

PK-12

Pre-K-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1975

1909

Campus Size

350 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

To create an innovative Consciousness-Based educational environment where students think deeply and become creative, compassionate, contributing citizens of the world.

Student Body

Enrollment

184 students

300 students

% Students of Color

43%

25%

% International Students

23%

20%

% Students Boarding

16%

70%

Average SAT Score

1242
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual
Khaki or blue pants, white shirt, or plaid skirt and white blouse

Casual

Average Class Size

12 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

69%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

AP BiologyAP Calculus

AP ChemistryAP Computer Science

AP English Language ArtsAP English Literature

AP MacroeconomicsAP Microeconomics

AP PhysicsAP Psychology

AP Spanish Language and CultureAP Statistics

AP U.S. HistoryAP US Government

Tuition & Financial Aid

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$39,000
(Covers tuition, room, board and books)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$19,500

$33,500

Tuition international students

$44,000

$53,975

% Students on Financial Aid

75%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$12,000
(Domestic students can receive up to $15000 in aid.)

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Jan. 15

Acceptance Rate

70%

58%

Director of Admissions

Springli Johnson

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BadmintonCross Country

GolfSoccer

TennisTrack and Field

Colors

Green and Gold

School Mascot

Sun

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Boy ScoutsDestination Imagination

Environment ClubInteract Club

Robotics TeamRocketry Team

Student Ambassador ProgramStudent Council

Arts and Music Programs:

Ceramics/PotterySpeech Club

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate

97%

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

Maharishi School's innovative programs expand students' alertness and learning capacity. As a result 100% of our graduates accepted at accredited colleges and universities.
Our student body is comprised of students from all over the world, including China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Switzerland. Boarding students live in our on-campus dorm.
We are located in a thriving town in southeast Iowa. Fairfield was selected by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the top 20 small towns to visit in the United States.
All students start and end the day with meditation and yoga. The Transcendental Meditation program is a simple, natural, effortless technique practiced worldwide by people of all religions and cultures. The benefits for students include reduction of stress and anxiety, increased intelligence, and enhanced creativity.
AP/Honors Courses: We offer 8 AP courses. The Honors program provides students with an opportunity to experience greater depth of study and cultivate a deeper level of thinking. Honors courses can be offered upon request in each core subject (Science, Math, History, and English). Students pursuing an Honors track are required to demonstrate scholarly initiative, problem-solving skills and the ability to delve into the fine details of their chosen topic. With an emphasis on depth of understanding, students gain critical and creative thinking skills that set them apart from their peers.
Our school's Project-Based Learning allows for more time to pursue passions and build a portfolio by having a 70-minute project period 3 days a week. Students can select pre-designed projects such as play production, rocketry, application prototyping, earth-to-table (ceramics and cooking), performing arts, entrepreneurship, sustainable fashion game show production, songwriting, music production, film production, and food blog. Students are also encouraged to propose their own projects.
100% of graduates are admitted to accredited colleges and universities, including Princeton, Grinnell, University of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Art and Design, and Georgetown.
Accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). The Iowa Department of Education has awarded grades 7-12 college preparatory status in recognition of the high percentage of graduates accepted at four-year colleges and universities.
Classes consistently score in the top one percent on national standardized tests.
18 National Merit Scholars and 34 National Merit Semi-Finalists during our 30-year history.
Day program preschool through 12th grade. Boarding option 9th through 12th grade.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Heather Hartnett - CEO, Founding Partner: Human Ventures
- Ari Berman - Author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America and Herding Donkeys. Writer for The Nation magazine
- Jennie Rothenberg Gritz - Senior Editor of Smithsonian Magazine
- Wells Butler - co-founder of Ice Cream Castles (children's contemporary clothing)
- Jonathan Jarvis - Co-Founder & CEO at Token
- Zachary Sluser - director/filmmaker of short films and music videos featured worldwide
- Jonathan Sherr - actor; star of My Darling is a Foreigner, Love in Tokyo, and the web series English Teachers.
- Heather Chase - author; founder of Models with Conscience, an international group promoting cruelty-free, eco-conscious causes
- Geoff Boothby - award-winning director/filmmaker (Wormtooth Nation 2008)
- Cullen Thomas - award-winning film editor and lighting designer (Wormtooth Nation, 2008)

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Maharishi School cost?

Maharishi School's tuition is approximately $39,000 for boarding students and $19,500 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of Maharishi School?

The acceptance rate of Maharishi School is 70%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from Maharishi School?

Maharishi School famous alumni include: Heather Hartnett, Ari Berman, Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Wells Butler, Jonathan Jarvis, Zachary Sluser, Jonathan Sherr, Heather Chase, Geoff Boothby and Cullen Thomas.

What sports does Maharishi School offer?

Maharishi School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis and Track and Field.

What is Maharishi School's ranking?

Maharishi School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of students on financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Maharishi School?

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

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Maharishi School Alumni #1
Class of 2004
5.002/27/2019
Iowa State University

Maharishi School gave me more than an education, it gave me tools to help live a balanced life, and a community of people who I still interact with 15 years after graduating. The consciousness-based education. . .

Maharishi School Alumni #2
Class of 2004
5.007/19/2011
Maharishi University of Management

I went to a lot of other schools before Maharishi School, and what stood out the most for me at Maharishi School was the emphasis on personal development. Instead of just filling up my brain. . .

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