Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Ojai Valley School

5.00 (2 reviews)
723 El Paseo Road Ojai CA 93023
Tel: (805) 646-1423 Ext. 1259
www.ovs.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 3-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 300 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
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 #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.
5.00 (2 reviews)
Tel: (805) 646-1423 Ext. 1259
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
www.ovs.org
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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.
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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 #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.
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 Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 3-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 300 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

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
Ojai Valley School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
3-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
Pre-K-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Dyslexia, ADHD
n/a
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1911
1909
Campus Size
195 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
View School Calendar
School Motto
Integer Vitae

Student Body

Enrollment
300 students
300 students
% Students of Color
9%
25%
% International Students
10%
20%
% Students Boarding
27%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
26
17
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
43%
70%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
26
17
Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Chemistry
AP Computer Science AAP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language and CompositionAP English Literature
AP Environmental ScienceAP Physics C, Electricity/Magnetism
AP Physics C, MechanicsAP Physics I
AP Physics IIAP Psychology
AP SpanishAP Statistics
AP Studio Art: 2DAP Studio Art: 3D
AP Studio Art: DrawingAP United States History
AP World HistoryHonors English 10
Honors GeometrySpanish III Honors

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$2.9 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$70,500
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$34,000
(Varies per grade level: www.ovs.org)
$33,500
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$62,000
$44,000
% Students on Financial Aid
39%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,209
($18,209 average boarding; $10,541 average day)
$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
64%
58%
Director of Admissions
Tracy Wilson
Associate Director of Admissions
Misty Hall
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
10
16
Sports
BaseballBasketball
Cross CountryEquestrian
GolfLacrosse
SoccerTennis
Track and FieldVolleyball
Colors
White, Green
School Mascot
Spud

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
16
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Computer ClubJournalism
LeadershipRobotics Team
WoodshopYearbook


Arts and Music Programs:
ChorusGarage Band
Performing Arts


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Ropes CourseSurfing
SwimmingTennis
VolleyballWeightlifting
Yoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
UC Irvine
4
UC Riverside
4
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
3
Savannah College of Art and Design
3
UCLA
3
Boston University
2
George Washington University
2
UC Berkeley
2
UC Santa Barbara
2
University of Washington
2
View Matriculation Data

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
  • 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
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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 58%.
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 10 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, 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.
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 Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 3-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 300 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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