Greetings from Ojai,
When I think about the work of admission, I think about the vital and joyful work of intentional community building. It’s about finding the people who will live, learn, and grow together, all the while sharing in our beautiful campus.
At Thacher, we believe in training young people in the art of living for their own greatest good and for the good of their fellow citizens in a diverse and changing world. To that end, we pair a challenging academic program with profound, practical lessons. Our students find those lessons in the daily care of a horse, meaningful engagement with the natural world, and the give-and-take of everyday life in our dorms. Every aspect of this environment is designed to inspire hard work, self-reliance, a lifelong respect for honor, fairness, kindness, truth, and a deep concern for the world we share.
I am often asked what makes a Thacher student, and what we look for in our applicants. In our work, we look for students who are ready to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, and grow alongside one another—students who get excited about learning and welcome our community wholeheartedly.
Consider this your open invitation to get to know us better. We look forward to learning more about your story, your values, and your aspirations. We invite you to step into this adventure with us and to meet us along the way—whether that means visiting our campus or connecting with us somewhere out in the world.
The journey of choosing a path through high school is deeply personal, and we appreciate you getting to know ours.
With deep gratitude,