Set on 520 acres surrounded by the verdant landscape of Upper Ojai, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is a co-ed college preparatory boarding school serving students from ninth through twelfth grades. The school’s campus includes a working garden and farm.
100 students from across the country pursue a rigorous college prep curriculum aimed at teaching students not what to learn, but how to learn. Boarding students live in modern residences that feature comfortable lounge areas and a student center. On weekends, pupils can take advantage of a full program of recreational activities in Southern California.
Besant Hill’s mission is to develop each student’s intellectual and artistic abilities, and the school’s 25 educators are committed to engaging and inspiring students. Advanced Placement courses are offered beginning in the tenth grade while courses in visual and digital arts, music and theater are taught by professional artists. The school’s athletic program is open to all students, focused on developing skills and teamwork.
Besant Hill School Of Happy Valley
Private High School
|
Grade 9-12
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd,
Ojai, CA
71
Students
A+
School Details
Head of School
Portia Johnson
Student Teacher Ratio
3:1
Average SAT Score
1180
Average GPA
3.57
Graduation Rate
100%
Annual Tuition
$34,760
Boarding Program
Offers Boarding
Niche Grade
A+
A
A+
A+
A+
B
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.57
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
3:1
Teachers
24
Full Time Teachers
18
Part Time Teachers
6
College Prep
Average SAT
1180
Math
600
Verbal
580
Number of AP Courses
11
AP Pass Rate
100%
AP Math Enrollment
Very High
AP Science Enrollment
Very High
Other AP Enrollment
Very High
Four-Year Matriculation Rate
100%
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very High
Boys Athletic Participation
Very High
GreatSchools Rating Details
Student Diversity
Female
51.1%
Male
48.9%
White
45.7%
Asian
42.6%
Hispanic
7.4%
Black
4.3%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Larry Krogh, an agent with experience near this school.
School Rankings
#12
Best Boarding HS in California
#26
Best HS for the Arts in California
#38
Most Diverse Private HS in California
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of California - Berkeley
15 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
12 Students
University of Southern California
12 Students
New York University
11 Students
University of California - Santa Barbara
10 Students
University of California - San Diego
9 Students
San Diego State University
8 Students
University of California - Davis
7 Students
University of California - Santa Cruz
7 Students
Boston University
6 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
9 Students
Psychology
7 Students
Computer Science
7 Students
Biology
4 Students
Finance
4 Students
Economics
4 Students
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
4 Students
Drama and Theatre Production
4 Students
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
3 Students
Clinical Psychology
3 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
9/7/2024
Life-changing and life-affirming experience. I was at Besant Hill (then Happy Valley School) for my final year of high school in 1998/99. The school's innovative structure and environment of agency and creativity fortified my independent thinking, self-realization and intelligence: emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual.
7/17/2024
Looking back, I truly had a great overall experience at Besant Hill. If I was to say the main thing that it prepared me for, I would highlight the personal communication skills that I was able to develop while in the dorms and living amongst my peers.
3/26/2024
Beasnt Hill was an amazing experience and one of the best high schools I went too. I loved the teachers, and how and close safe the community was. The food was amazing, the views were amazing, and I loved the class sizes. 10/10 experience.
GreatSchools Reviews
6/23/2024
Consider this your warning to not send your child to Besant Hill School. They prey off of families in challenging situations with their children. Your child will be introduced to many negative and dangerous behaviors yet your child will be blamed. The school has NO mental health support on campus wh...
6/20/2017
My impression is that this school is great. It is not for every child though and this is where it becomes difficult. As a parent, I see that the teachers and administrators are really fantastic. However, our son did not feel that way about them because he could not get beyond his own issues and the...
8/23/2016
Besant Hill Boarding School Is Located In An Affluent & Ambitious Community. The School Cultivates A Culture Of Intellectual Students To Develop, Excel, Protect, & Enrich Them The Best They Can Through Academic Achievement, Athletic & Performing Arts. I'm impressed with the history of this school &...
2/23/2014
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is the most unique private school in the country. I cannot think of a better place to prepare young men and women to go on and take on the world. BHS is a community that accepts people from any race, origin, background or sexual orientation, and treats them all as...
Agents Specializing Near This School
-
Larry Krogh
Larry Krogh
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
(805) 586-9558
149 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$3M - $4.7M Price Range
-
Carl Gambino
Carl Gambino
Responds QuicklyCompass
(862) 225-6946
231 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$3,500,000 Price
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Adam McKaig
AM
Adam McKaig
Responds QuicklyDouglas Elliman of California Inc.
(805) 456-1910
71 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$3,750,000 Price
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Tonya Peralta
Tonya Peralta
Keller Williams West Ventura County
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165 Total Sales
14 Near This School
$450K - $5.3M Price Range
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Cathy Titus
Cathy Titus
LIV Sotheby's International Realty Ojai
(805) 669-3156
70 Total Sales
9 Near This School
$1.1M - $3.5M Price Range
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Nora Davis
Nora Davis
LIV Sotheby's International Realty Ojai
(805) 600-0576
90 Total Sales
8 Near This School
$585K - $5.1M Price Range