Besant Hill School of Happy Valley

Besant Hill School is a school that serves a wide range of students. My son has attended for the past 4 years, and his classmates and friends are from all over the world. They are artists, athletes, actors, scientists, mathematicians, photographers, poets and debaters. All of these students are met where they are, and given exposure to a challenging college prep curriculum and a wide variety of programs including fitness, arts and sustainability. This small community has given my son the opportunities to be a student government member, to travel to other countries, to pursue his passion in athletics and to learn and live in a community that honors each student for their strengths and talents. He is excited prepared to graduate and move on the the next phase of his life in college.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke. It's been turned into the very opposite of what its founders stood for. As an Alumni, I'm completely despondant over the changes that have taken place. It's no longer a progressive school that encourages individuality and the arts. It's become an East Coast-style prep school providing a cookie-cutter education. The programs on the school's website are no longer being offered. The arts programs are practically useless. Parents of current students are openly complaining about the level of work, their children aren't being challenged artistically. The students are complaining about the shows, telling people not to attend because they're so embarrassing. Just ask a current student about the arts program. It isn't thriving, it's barely limping along. The fun and passion and hands-on work has evaporated. There's nothing left of the school I had the honor of attending, a school that I used to hold so much pride in. NowI wouldn't recommend it for anyone. Just a waste of money.

As a parent of a recent graduate who's now thriving in college, I'm happy to share my complete support of BHS and its program. During the last several years the school has undergone changes that have improved its commitment to challenging, college prep level courses and faculty, its infrastructure and facilities and its offerings. The Arts are thriving, attracting serious musicians, fine arts students and theater students, in programs that combine freedom of expression with real world technical skills. BHS is a community minded and environmentally aware campus, and this can be seen in its food offerings (fantastic!), sports teams (featuring a no-cut policy, allowing anyone who wants to play, to play), the opportunities presented by its on-campus farm, and the school's incredibly beautiful, magical location, nestled between mountains in the Upper Ojai, and the school's commitment to its natural beauty and sustainability. BHS is a loving, nurturing, safe place to attend high school.
—Submitted by a parent

BHS has been a wonderful school for my son. He has attended for 4 years and has been given a quality education, exposure to the arts, athletics and cultural immersion that I know he would not have gotten at our local public school. He has also been given the gift of "reality" as many students and staff have diverse backgrounds that are shared and everyone has found this special place for a reason. No school is perfect, but I can say that my son will graduate prepared for college and the "real world" after attending Besant Hill.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school in a beautiful setting, this school has been a blessing for my daughter. She's not fond of being away from home but understands her education is very important. Besant Hill is providing her with the structure she needs to do well. As a result she feels better about herself, is beginning to enjoy the challenging work and enjoys a new level of independent thinking.
—Submitted by a parent

Besant Hill School has been the greatest gift to my daughter on many levels. It has given her a place where she feels included and celebrated as a unique individual. She has learned how to live in community and be a positive contributor to something greater than her individual self while being safe and seen for who she is. This school has changed the course of her life.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a GREAT school for our son, who is very bright, quite creative, highly social and not so organized. At "traditional" schools, his talents were not appreciated or even recognized, while his weakness was constantly highlighted. At Besant Hill, they work very hard to leverage a student's strengths while working around their weaknesses. This is having a great impact on our son's self confidence as a person and as a student. Besant Hill is small, but don't think for a minute that they are not 100% serious about providing a great college-prep education -- they are! The staff is highly dedicated -- simply the best! Parents are not as involved yet as could be, partially because many live pretty far away and because the school has not focused on this aspect . Prediction: this school will soon be discovered as an example of "how to do it right".
—Submitted by a parent

amazing staff, amazing school. they turned my daughter into a motivated student!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing and its just right for my daughter! Happy Valley seems to balance academics with students creativity and artistic interests perfectly. There are small class sizes, wonderful teachers, a beautiful campus on 450 acres! what more could you ask for! My daughter learns and grows so much everday and she always comes home with a huge smile on her face!
—Submitted by a parent