Institution Type: Private co-educational boarding school for teenagers aged 14–18 (grades 9–12) with residence hall accommodation.
Annual Tuition (2025–2026, boarding): $81,000 USD; day school — $65,600 USD. For more detailed pricing, please contact our managers.
The Thacher School was founded in 1889 and is located in the picturesque Ojai Valley, California, 85 miles north of Los Angeles. The 540-acre campus of this private school lies at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains, surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest. Today it enrols around 250 students from 24 states and 13 countries, with international students making up 17%. More than 90% of students live on campus, and 97% of faculty also live on site, serving as mentors, coaches, and houseparents. The school has an overall grade of A+ in the Niche rankings.
The academic programme combines rigorous coursework with unique outdoor experience. 65% of faculty hold advanced degrees, and the average tenure at the school is 18 years. The average SAT score for the middle 50% of students is in the 1290–1440 range, and the average ACT score is 30. Graduates go on to leading universities, including Ivy League institutions. The school offers French, Mandarin, and Spanish courses, as well as study abroad programmes in China, France, Spain, and on the coast of Maine.
Accommodation, Meals, and Pricing
Boarding accommodation is available for all senior students. The school provides comfortable single and double rooms that are fully furnished: each boarder has a bed, desk, shelves, and wardrobe. Most faculty and staff live on campus with their families alongside the students, creating a warm, supportive atmosphere. Meals are provided on a full boarding basis in a communal dining hall, with a balanced and varied menu. Additional costs for study materials and riding and camping equipment amount to around $1,500. 28% of students receive financial aid, with an average grant of $64,813. Admission requires the SSAT, an interview, and references. The school assists international students with visa processing and adaptation.
Extracurricular Programme
The Thacher School's extracurricular programme is unique: all ninth-graders take part in the equestrian programme, caring for horses. 62 hiking expeditions are held annually, along with a wilderness immersion programme. The campus has 28 sports teams, an astronomical observatory, and a climbing wall.