Boarding School Review - Established 2003

The Athenian School

5.00 (1 review)
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Danville CA 94506
Tel: (925) 362-7223
www.athenian.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
  • Enrollment: 535 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,760
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $57,270
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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5.00 (1 review)
Tel: (925) 362-7223
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.
Danville, CA 94506
www.athenian.org
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The Athenian School goes far beyond preparing talented and diverse students for outstanding colleges.
Athenian empowers its graduates to become world citizens with lives of purpose and personal fulfillment.
Athenian's distinguishing features include: small class size, extraordinary teachers, a challenging academic curriculum, a required wilderness course and extensive international experiences (exchanges, trips and conferences).
Located on 75 beautiful acres at the base of Mt. Diablo, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area's only nonsectarian school with a high school boarding program.
Graduates attend outstanding university and colleges throughout the country and report being exceptionally well prepared to do well and thrive in college and beyond.
Athenian teaches students independence and self-advocacy, and encourages students to use their knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
  • Enrollment: 535 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,760
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $57,270
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores
Student Test Scores
High ACT scores

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
The Athenian School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12
Pre-K-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1965
1909
Campus Size
75 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
View School Calendar
School Motto
Truth and Honor

Student Body

Enrollment
535 students
300 students
% Students of Color
57%
25%
% International Students
11%
20%
% Students Boarding
16%
70%
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Accreditations
Round Square
Courses
AP AB CalculusAP BC Calculus
AP Computer ScienceAP French IV
AP Spanish IVAP Statistics
Honors Advanced BiologyHonors Advanced Chemistry
Honors Advanced PhysicsHonors Algebra II
Honors Applied ScienceHonors Biology
Honors Chinese IIIHonors Chinese IV
Honors French VHonors History Seminars (many)
Honors HumanitasHonors Literature Seminars (many)
Honors Marine BiologyHonors Pre-Calculus
Honors Spanish IIIPersonal Projects in Art

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$10 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$87,760
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$57,270
(Upper School Day)
$33,500
Tuition international students
$89,750
$53,975
% Students on Financial Aid
26%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$37,200
$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Director of Admissions
Christopher Beeson
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
14
16
Sports
BadmintonBaseball
BasketballCross Country
EquestrianGolf
SailingSoccer
SoftballSwimming
TennisTrack and Field
VolleyballWrestling
Colors
Blue and Gold

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
35
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Airplane Construction ProjectAsian Club
Floor HockeyGardening Society
JugglingMissionary Society
Open MicOutdoor Adventure
QED Math ClubRobotics Team--award-winning
Round Square Int'l. Service ProjectsRound Square Int'l. Student Conferences
Round Square Study AbroadSquash
Student Self-GovernmentStudents of Color
Weekend CrewYearbook


Arts and Music Programs:
Classics SocietyOn Campus speakers and artists
Poetry Interest GroupPoetry Readings
StuCoTheater Interest Group
Theater Productions


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Athenian Wilderness Experience--requiredComputer Technology Association
Rock ClimbingRunning
SailingTour du Lac
Ultimate FrisbeeUnicycling
Weight LiftingYoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
New York University
13
University of California, Berkeley
10
University of California, Santa Cruz
8
University of Calfornia, Los Angeles
7
University of California, Davis
7
University of California, Santa Barbara
7
Chapman University
6
George Washington University
6
Occidental College
6
University of Colorado, Boulder
6
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

    Athenian's superb curriculum extends far beyond academic subjects with distinctive programs which develop students as world citizens for successful, meaningful, and purposeful lives.The academic curriculum offers:
  • Interdisciplinary humanities courses in grades 9 and 10, followed by diverse honors seminars in history and literature
  • Hands-on and applied science options, including engineering and computer science
  • Extensive mathematics offerings including honors classes in advanced math. 
  • Extensive offerings in the arts, including drawing, painting, pottery, stained glass, and photography, theatre, dance, and chorus
  • Superb college counseling with an individual plan for each student and counselors dedicated only to college advising
Beyond the classroom, Athenian prepares students for the future as world citizens through:
  • Meaningful required community service
  • Extraordinary international opportunities through the Round Square Consortium of 100 schools on six continents: study abroad exchanges, international community service projects, and annual international student conferences
  • Participation in school-governance through town meeting
  • Guidance from a residential community of faculty who live on campus with their families. Faculty know students well, offering advice and support as mentors for each student.
  • The Athenian Wilderness Experience, required of all 11th grade students (a meaningful program developing independence, leadership, and teamwork)
  • An amazing an advantageous location which offers a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo as well as easy access to the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Faculty who not only teach academic subjects but mentor students individually as academic advisors, residential program advisors, dormitory parents, coaches, club sponsors, community service trip leaders, and interim trip leaders.
    • ALUMNI & PARENTS SAY:"With the perfect balance of challenge and nurturing, Athenian teachers encourage you to experience and connect with your studies. I enjoyed academics, athletics, and the arts. I pursued my passions, graduating more certain of myself. I felt intellectually confident in my first college class. Athenian changes lives, and it's graduates affect change in the world." "Athenian's inclusive environment enables every student to make a mark--whether in academics, performance and art, or clubs and sports. Athenian consistently produces bright, engaging, and confident young adults who are keenly aware that they are citizens of the world." "Athenian teachers respect students, saying, "I not only see your children as they are now, but as what they can become." In my daughter, I now see a strong student, a self-motivated learner, and a well-rounded young lady with the desire to serve and take full responsibility for her life." "At Athenian you can do so many things--like start a club or propose a change. The avenues are open for you to explore. Personally, Athenian teachers are open to conversation outside of the classroom, and you get to know people really well. I have learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom. Many students leave Athenian and find college writing easy; Athenian prepared them well." 
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Carol Moldaw - Noted Poet, Winner of the Field Prize
    • Douglas Perednia - Physician, Business Executive, Entrepreneur
    • Korshied Samad - Journalist, Bureau Chief, Afghan Nonprofit Org. Founder
    • Jackie Thomas - Nike Executive, Athenian School Trustee
    • Andrew Wistrich - United States District Magistrate Judge
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Athenian School cost?
The Athenian School's tuition is approximately $87,760 for boarding students and $57,270 for day students.
Who are famous alumni from The Athenian School?
The Athenian School famous alumni include: Carol Moldaw, Douglas Perednia, Korshied Samad, Jackie Thomas and Andrew Wistrich.
What sports does The Athenian School offer?
The Athenian School offers 14 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is The Athenian School's ranking?
The Athenian School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High average SAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for The Athenian School?
The application deadline for The Athenian School is Jan. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2016
5.00
Brown University
1) AWE - 26 Day backpacking trip in either High Sierras or Death Valley. It is truly a life-changing experience and you really get to know the 10 people that you are grouped with. It. . .
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
  • Enrollment: 535 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,760
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $57,270
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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