Boarding Schools USA: Private Boarding Schools California, Residential School for Girls, Boys, Coed College Preparatory CA, Christian Boarding School for troubled teens, Specialty Youth Camps for difficult teens, children.
1. River View Christian Academy, San Bernardino County
Courses / Programs
The River View Christian Academy (RVCA) is a fully accredited, private Christian residential boarding school for troubled teens ages 13-17, located in the mountains of Northern California. Our program is aimed at helping troubled teens by providing firm but loving intervention, interactive education and life skills training.
Our boarding school is open to families regardless of race or religion. We have open enrollment and students are in the classroom year-round so your child has the continuous opportunity to experience success in their education. Our staff is also available for individual tutoring. If a student completes their high school degree while at River View Christian Academy, we can assist them in coordinating college level correspondence courses.
We maintain a Christian foundation without forcing Christianity on our students. We also take the approach of teaching the students to make the right choices on their own rather than telling them or pressuring them to act a certain way. Our desire is to teach the student to take ownership of his or her own decisions.
Boarding school program for troubled teens ages 13-17:
- All high school levels for grades 6 through 12.
- Alpha Omega College Preparatory Curriculum
2. Squaw Valley Academy, Olympic Valley
Courses / Programs
Squaw Valley Academy (SVA) is located in the pristine mountain community known as Olympic Valley, just minutes from beautiful Lake Tahoe, in California. SVA is a co-ed, college-preparatory international boarding school for children in grades 9-12, with Day programs available from grades 6-12. Founded in 1978, Squaw Valley Academy is the oldest private school at Lake Tahoe, and the individual needs of each student remain an integral part of campus life at SVA.
Boarding students live on-campus in one of the three, adult-supervised dormitories and most students share their room with up to three other students. International students enhance the community of Squaw Valley Academy. Through the U.S. Immigration Service, the Academy accepts nonresident international students, and we provide instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL). On campus, each international student shares a private dorm room with one or more students.
Squaw Valley Academy meets the California state standards for high school students and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). We offer Advanced Placement courses, SAT Prep, ESL and Rolling Enrollment.
Boarding and Day Programs for boys and girls in grades 6-12:
- Day Programs for Grades 6-12
- Boarding Programs in Grades 9-12
- Rigorous College-Preparatory Curriculum approved by University of California
- High School Program
- Advanced Placement Courses
- Beginner to advanced levels of ESL
- College Preparation Courses SAT, ACT
- Outdoor Education and Adventure Program
- Summer School
3. Dunn School, Santa Barbara area
Courses / Programs
Located 28 miles northeast of Santa Barbara, in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in southern California, Dunn School is a college preparatory day & boarding school with a focus on developing each student's academic and personal potential. We serve students from grades 6-12 in Middle & Upper School, specializing in humanities, science, math, languages, and more.
Boarding life at Dunn is truly a unique experience in which students learn to become independent while living and learning among friends. For many students, boarding life is a key part of their Dunn School education and overall growth. Through living on campus, students find their identity, develop talents, and establish friendships for life.
Dunn offers small classes and a unique advisor program. Our students meet with their faculty advisors daily to address academic or personal issues. Our academic curriculum is complimented by our visual and performing arts programs, co-curricular athletics, and outdoor education.
Dunn School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is one of only seven private independent schools accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.
Accredited College Preparatory School Programs for students in Grades 6-12:
- Middle school and Upper school
- Average 12 students per class
- Student to faculty ratio - 5:1
Core subjects include:
- Humanities
- Science
- Mathematics
- Foreign Language
- Fine Arts
4. The Athenian School, San Francisco Bay Area
Courses / Programs
The Athenian School is a co-educational independent college preparatory school in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. The school is located on a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo, in Danville, Contra Costa County. We offer a day program for Middle School students (grades 6-8) from the East Bay region and day and boarding programs for Upper School students (grades 9-12) from the US and throughout the world.
Athenian offers a challenging engaging curriculum and outstanding distinctive programs. The school prepares students well for college, as well as for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment.
Boarding students from throughout the world live in two dormitories, housing approximately 20 students each. More than 20 faculty members live on campus, providing extraordinary guidance and support for all students. Today more than 40 students from a dozen countries compose Athenian’s boarding program.
Athenian develops and broadens students’ understanding of themselves and the world. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools.
Co-educational Day & Boarding Programs for students in Grades 6-12:
- Middle School Day Program (Grades 6-8)
- Upper School Day & Boarding Programs (Grades 9-12)
Upper School curriculum includes:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Foreign Languages
- Humanities/ESL
- Physical Education / Athletics
- Studio / Performing Arts
- Special Interest Activities
- Wilderness Experience
- Community Service
5. The Thacher School, Ventura County
Courses / Programs
The Thacher School is a co-educational boarding high school for grades 9-12 located in Ojai, 85 miles northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, CA. The school serves academically talented students who will benefit from a rigorous college preparatory experience with ACT, SAT and AP courses. The faculty and students live and work closely together in a community in which cooperation, trust, honesty, and respect are the cornerstones of school life.
Together, we commit to the belief that demands in the academic classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and powerful character.
Dormitory life is a rich blend of studying, relaxing, sleeping, and enjoying with friends and prefects. In each dorm, senior prefects help administer rules and serve as role models for other students. Faculty members are also an integral part of dorm life, as most live in apartments attached to the dormitories. During the course of four years students and faculty become close and develop friendships that last well beyond teenage years. We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Boarding Programs for boys and girls in Grades 9-12:
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Preparation Courses SAT and ACT
- Study Abroad Program
- Outdoor Program
- Horseriding Program
- International Students welcome
Rigorous College Preparatory Curriculum:
- English
- Math
- Science
- History
- Fine Arts
- Modern Languages
6. Excelsior School, Pasadena
Courses / Programs
Excelsior School in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, Southern California, is a WASC accredited, independent boarding high school that offers a rigorous, college-preparatory education for students in grades 9-12. Our school has established an excellent record of accomplishment of graduates matriculating at distinguished colleges and universities.
The dormitory of Excelsior School provides accommodations that are clean and economical for students who are attending school. Each room has 2 beds, dresser and desk, telephone and bookcase. There are clothes closets in each room. Bathroom facilities are conveniently located on each floor of the dorm.
We stress small class sizes (an average of 15), and individualized attention, to facilitate mastery in all the courses we offer. In addition to Excelsior’s small class room sizes, there are a number of factors that contribute to an environment of academic excellence.
We employ an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Reading and writing skills are taught not only in English classes, but also in science and history as well. In addition, SAT / ACT preparation is covered within the framework of regular high school English, math, and science classes.
- Boarding Programs for boys and girls in Grades 9-12
- College Preparatory Curriculum
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Preparation Courses SAT, ACT
- English as Second Language (ESL) Courses
Subjects include:
- Science
- Math
- English
- Social studies
- Spanish
- Computer studies
- Fine arts, and more...
7. Oaks Christian School, Los Angeles County
Courses / Programs
Oaks Christian School (OCS) is an independent, college preparatory boarding school serving middle & high school-age boys and girls in grades 6-12. It is located in Westlake Village in Los Angeles County, California, adjacent to the 101 Freeway, approximately 40 miles north-west of Los Angeles.
Oaks Christian School, founded in 2000, continues to build a reputation of being one of the most respected private Christian high schools in California, and welcomes nationwide and international students to our high school. Our mission statement reflects a top-notch academic program with an outstanding and competitive athletic department and a visual / performing arts division rivaling the top schools in the United States.
Oaks Christian Homestay is a unique feature of our boarding program. We believe it creates a much better educational environment and provides more social and emotional support than an impersonal boarding dorm. We accept diploma-seeking students (F-1), as well as one year study-abroad students (J-1). Recent international students came from Korea, Italy, Mexico, China, Ghana, Germany & Russia.
Our school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Boarding / residential school program for grades 6-12:
- All courses are college-preparatory. AP & honors courses in all disciplines allow students to be challenged to their fullest academic potential.
- Homestay program for international students.
- Small classes allow for meaningful interactions & foster the concepts of unity and teamwork.
- Learning is often discussion-based.
- Teachers encourage students to analyze, and explore critical thought, in order to develop a qualified point of view.
8. Sunset Bay Academy, San Diego
Courses / Programs
Sunset Bay Academy is a co-ed therapeutic boarding school located in San Ysidro, 20 miles south of San Diego, California. We offer a three-phase therapeutic program dedicated to supporting troubled teens ages 12-17 and their parents in acquiring the needed tools to restore hope and create healthy relationships within their families. Our core focus is working with struggling teenage boys and girls to generate long-term sustainable behavioral change.
Our academic program is designed to maximize student learning by encouraging academic excellence and motivating students to consider college as a viable option. We use a computer based academic program featuring 3-D animation, interactive activities and cutting edge multimedia.
Our curriculum has the flexibility to customize instruction to meet each student’s needs. We offer a range of courses that meet middle and high school requirements and students also participate in our Spanish immersion program. In addition, we offer weekly SAT preparation classes.
Students benefit from group and individual therapy, family workshops and personal growth workshops for parents and students. We also offer an after care program.
Therapeutic programs for troubled teen boys and girls ages 12-17:
- Middle school and high school academic programs
- Weekly SAT preparation classes
- Spanish immersion program
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family workshops
- Personal growth workshops for parents and students
- After care program
- Extracurricular activities
- Sports
9. Southwestern Academy, Los Angeles County
Courses / Programs
Founded in 1924, Southwestern Academy is a private, college preparatory boarding and day school for boys and girls in grades 6 through 12. Our high-quality classes are based on the University of California's a-g entrance standards. We have students from all around the world who benefit from Southwestern Academy's small classes, active student body and challenging educational program. We offer students the opportunity to study at either of two distinctly different and beautiful campuses.
The San Marino, Southern California, campus is in a historic orange grove area near Pasadena and Los Angeles. The Arizona campus, known as Beaver Creek Ranch, is located deep in a red-rock canyon in northern Arizona. Students may attend either campus and if space permits, may divide the academic year between the two.
Southwestern Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is approved by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security for attendance by international students.
Co-educational Day & Boarding Programs for students in Grades 6-12
- Day Program
- Boarding / Residential Program
- Postgraduate Year Program
- ESL Programs for international students
Core Subjects include:
- English (4 years)
- Math (3 years)
- Foreign language (2 years)
- Laboratory sciences (2 years)
- History (3 years)
- Advanced placement options
10. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, La Cañada Flintridge
Courses / Programs
Located in La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, CA, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy (FSHA) is a small, private Catholic boarding and day high school for young women in grades 9-12. We offer our girls an academically challenging program in a caring and supportive environment surrounded by a faith-filled community with active family involvement. We believe this foundation is integral in the education and development of successful students. We know that the young women who graduate from FSHA recognize their own dignity and strengths for life.
Flintridge is home to a truly international population. Our current boarders come from China, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. Recent years have also seen boarders from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Guatemala, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Spain.
Our boarding halls are made up of 23 rooms, where two girls usually share each room. In order to foster interaction among students from different cultures, the director of boarding students makes a consistent effort to assign students from different countries as roommates. We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and many others.
Boarding and Day Programs for girls in grades 9-12:
- College Preparatory Curriculum
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Preparation Courses SAT I and ACT
- Academic Advising & Student Support
- Summer Programs
- Technology Programs
Core subjects include:
- Science
- Math
- English
- Social studies
- Spanish
- Computer studies
- Fine arts, and more...
