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): $29,295
- 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 276 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Student Attention
School Overview
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1946
1907
Campus Size
520 acres
130 acres
School Calendar
School Motto
Aún Aprendo – 'I am still learning.'
Student Body
Enrollment
100 students
320 students
% Students of Color
13%
27%
% International Students
15%
20%
% Students Boarding
85%
66%
Average SAT Score
1050
(Out of 1600)
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Average Class Size
8 students
12
* National Avg. »
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
70%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
The Association of 91±¬ÁÏs (TABS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
18
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
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$64,275
(Tuition includes room and board fees)
(Tuition includes room and board fees)
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$29,295
$38,970
Tuition international students
$71,400
$58,300
% Students on Financial Aid
25%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$20,000
(Apply at solutionsbysss.com)
(Apply at solutionsbysss.com)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
50%
64%
Director of Admissions
Tracy How
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
13
17
Colors
Green, Navy Blue
School Mascot
Coyote
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
27
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Cooking ClubEnvironmental Sustainability
Arts and Music Programs:
ActingArt Club
Dance ActivityDance Club
Digital ArtLanguage Enhancement
Playwriting ClubPrefects (Senior Student Leaders)
SAGE- Students Affirming Gender EqualitySTEM
StudioTheater
Voice
Recreational Athletic Programs:
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
99%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Lewis & Clark College
4
San Diego State University
4
Sarah Lawrence College
4
University of California, San Diego
4
University of California, Santa Cruz
4
University of Washington
4
Emerson College
3
New York University
3
University of California, Berkeley
3
University of Redlands
3
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Besant Hill School cost?
Besant Hill School's tuition is approximately $64,275 for boarding students and $29,295 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 64%.
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 13 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country Running, Dance, Golf, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Besant Hill School's ranking?
Besant Hill School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small average class sizes and 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
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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People that viewed Besant Hill School also viewed these schools: Idyllwild Arts Academy, Dunn School, Cate School, Stevenson School and The Thacher School.
The nearest boarding school to Besant Hill School is Ojai Valley School (0.9 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
151.1 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 65% Tuition listed
P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 686-0650
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 686-0650
50.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 6-12 (day) | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 45% Tuition listed
1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
13.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 17% Tuition listed
3152 Forest Lake Road
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
211.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | PK-12 (day) | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
3.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 11 students Acceptance rate: 15% Tuition listed
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