Ojai Valley School

How's this school ? I have to send my son there, how's teachers and dorm ? Can some parents tell me ?
--Submitted by a parent

I was a student at the lower school at Ojai Valley School and want to say that I hope it has changed for the better since then. The education was abysmal and the social climate was sad. Most of my friends were from families in which they either felt cast off and unwanted or the felt relieved to be at a school that was less violent/dysfunctional than their home lives. The teachers and staff were not sensitive to the needs of the students, using punishments much more often as a "motivator" than rewards. Not at all worth the fortune it costs to attend.

Excellent outdoor program and elective options. Education is average - no better or worse than your typical public school. Turn over is high, especially among some of the harder working teachers. Some of the boarding students seem to have educational or behavioral difficulties that are not well addressed in the program. Administration is difficult to talk with.
--Submitted by a parent

Ojai Valley School has taught my son many helpful skills in life, but none that will aid him in life in the big picture. He is very skilled outdoors but needs much assistance in the classroom. The teacher quality in some areas is good and in others horrible. My kid is still suffering in school due to not being taught well enough for high school.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my children went to lower campus at ovs - the overall experience was exceptional. My children were well prepared both academically and emotionally to meet the challenge of highschool and college.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to OVS for 4 years and miss it extremely. OVS has a great campus, all the students were friendly, the teachers were there to help you whenever you needed it- At OVS, I learned everything I needed to know about highschool, and I was so prepared when I started as a freshman. Great School!
--Submitted by a former student

I, personally, attended school here in the fall of '04. After about two months, my mom withdrawed me. The reason for this is because I was around people (every boarder at OVS) who were under the influence of drugs, inhalants, etc. This is pretty much normal compared to the stuff that we did. We barely even snuck out to do any of this, we just did it in our dorm rooms because the teachers weren't aware of most of the activities we would do. This school is an easy place to sneak out of as a student, and a place where you can do alot of things without getting caught. The dorm parents are very mean. It's a very weird school and I do not recommend it at all.
--Submitted by a former student

Our daughter got a fabulous education at Ojai Valley School. She is currently a student at a large University and believes that Ojai prepared her well. The Principal and staff are very attentive.
--Submitted by a parent

My parents could financially afford to enhance my education by allowing me to attend Ojai Valley Prep. Although I was unable to afford my son the same opportunity, I would be the first to say that if you are a parent with the ability to invest an above average savings for your childs college education, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a bit of research on Ojai Valley Prep. Ojai is a K-12 environment and the Headmaster/Teachers/Curriculum and lifetime advantages for the kids that attend this school are irreplaceable in comparison to public schools.
--Submitted by Staci (Ebbie) Roth, a former student

A wonderful school set in a idealic setting ..small class room size and excellent student teacher ratio.....also has a outdoor school program which helps teach independance.
--Submitted by a parent