College Preparatory Boarding Schools in California & Arizona

Southwestern Academy:
Southwestern Academy, founded in 1924, is an private boarding and day school for boys and girls grades 6 through 12. Southwestern Academy is a college preparatory school and 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.

Email: Contact us here    ( or request a callback )

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.

Our graduation requirements are based on the University of California recommendations. A minimum of 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 2 years of a foreign language, 2 years of laboratory sciences, and 3 years of history, including U.S. history. Advanced placement options and honors courses are offered in English, History, Math, and Science.

We offer three intensive levels of English as a Second Language "ESL", to all our international students. Our focus is on Grammar, Composition, Conversation and Listening skills. In addition to these classes, our ESL students can choose to take an elective. Once they reach our advanced level, then they will be immersed into Math and Science classes. We prepare students for entering American Universities, by teaching English at the university level.

We provide a wide range of electives that satisfy the diverse interests of our students, including but not limited to: art, flash animation, computer literacy, creative writing, photography, music, drama, speech, video editing, choir and chamber groups.

Southwestern Academy is a not-for-profit institution with a board of trustee’s composed of the founding family as well as members in the community. The school was one of the first to accept international students and teach them English as a second language, beginning in 1950’s. 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.

There are a total of 35 faculty members between our two campus’s, enabling Southwestern Academy to keep the student/ teacher ration at 6:1. Each faculty member is an adviser to about ten students; they are a mentor and support system for each student throughout the year.

You’ll arrive at Southwestern as a citizen of your country, and leave as a citizen of the world. As you interact with students from different cultures, you’ll gain a new perspective and make treasured friendships that reach across international borders.

Fulfilling Activities
Southwestern offers dozens of opportunities beyond schoolwork. You may be active in clubs, create art and music, participate in student government, join our sports teams, and donate your time in community service.

Special Events and Field Trips:
Students celebrate a number of special events, and field trips are regularly scheduled to take advantage of the learning opportunities in the area.