Stevenson School - Pebble Beach Campus (9-12, Boarding and Day)

I am a former student of RLS and was a day-student when I attended the school. I decided to attend RLS because of the small classrooms, a vast variety of activities that are offered, and the fact that the school is a college-preparatory school. Watching other high school students that were senior to me at the time and some that graduated and came back without finishing school, I wanted to learn the right attitude and skill sets to succeed academically. RLS has helped me build both positive character attributes and academic skill sets that I still carry with me after USC and into my professional career. The college counseling center is a great asset the school has (Mr. Miller!) that most schools, private or public, cannot acclaim. Not all teachers are excellent but the majority of them are and have a great passion to teach. A final note to parents after reading some reviews is this school is competitive. Sometimes very competitive but that comes with the territory of secondary testing (SSAT s), low admission %. I was 1 of 3 people accepted from my middle school class. But the school will teach you a winning attitude. That in life you have to work and earn your success.
--Submitted by a student

RLS does a good job of developing young adults. Our daughter graduated well prepared for college. Our son is currently attending. As boarding students, they learned to take care of themselves and make responsible decisions on their own. RLS keeps the kids focused on their academics while offering various other activities.
--Submitted by a parent

I have one child attending now and two recently graduated. We were able to offer them options when they looked at high schools. After the Open House and shadowing, each one came home and thanked me for giving them this opportunity. It is hard to imagine a more diverse, motivated, mature group of students. Please take the time to visit the campus, attend the Open House, sit in a class room and meet the faculty. Only then, will you begin to understand what Stevenson really has to offer. The benefit of a solid education at this level is immeasurable.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son attended Stevenson as a boarding student all 4 years of high school. The academics were very strong, but the extracuricular activies were what made Stevnson a very special experience: league sports, wilderness trip, radio station, theater and music etc. Many strong friendships are developed at Stevenson. We highly recommend this school. It was not perfect, but we look back with no regrets and a lot of good memories.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had 2 children attend Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, CA as boarders from grade 9 - grade 10. The experience was fantastic for us as parents and for both children. The children are completely different from each other. The first is preppy, conservative, athletic and applied to top notch small liberal arts schools and was accepted to almost every place that she applied. The second is a great student, artsy, not preppy at all. She has applied to large universities in large US cities. The acceptance letters are arriving now, and so far she is 4 for 4 accepted. The close knit community at Stevenson with both students and teachers is unbelievable. The campus is magical. The expectations of the students is very high, but the easy culture of the school is different from many of the east coast boarding schools. WE HAVE LOVED IT!
--Submitted by a parent

Two kids at Stevenson (one at USC, second a Senior). A real college prep school - 99% of the graduates go on to a 4-year college. The top of the class go on to the best schools. Teachers provide great opportunities for learning. The overall environment allows your child to thrive and be joyful.
--Submitted by a parent

We are Japanese family. Our daughter had studied from 2003 to 2006 at Steavenson School. We believe that the five stars will go well with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Mediocre school, big attitude. Should keep more up to date on new learning and teaching trends. Fine if your child is a self-starter and never has any problems, no illness, no divorce, no death or other upheaval. School can't cope well with different learning styles.
--Submitted by a parent

Stevenson School offers adequateacademics--as in any school, the ability and dedication of the teachers runs the gamut. The school provides opportunities that the local public schools do not: wilderness program, great theater/arts program, some sports that other school don't have (e.g., lacrosse), fantastic facilities and grounds. What the school lacks, in my opinion, is tolerance of what they seem to perceive as 'weakness'--students who need more emotional support or guidance. At the time that my child attended the school, there were 500 students and not one single qualified counselor on staff. If you are thinking of sending your child to this school, you should look into this. There is a lot of pressure on the students to excel--often, way too much pressure.
--Submitted by a parent

This is probably the best choice for schools in this area. However, it's an expensive option. So much for choices....
--Submitted by a parent