Amerigo partner school ·
Besant Hill
A small, independent college-preparatory boarding and day school set on a scenic campus in California's Ojai Valley.
100%
students accepted to university
A+
Niche Ranking
#9
Best Boarding High Schools in California
About the school
Besant Hill is known for personalized, small-class education and distinctive strengths in the arts and outdoor learning. A low student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1 allows for close mentorship and a college-prep program tailored to each student.
Key Info
Location
Ojai, California
Grades
9-12, Post Graduate
Intakes
August/September Intakes
Language requirement
TOEFL equivalent 60-80
Cost of attendance
Starting from $85,000
Accommodation
Residence
Program
Diploma
Brochure Download
More School Info
School Website
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Amerigo 360° · Complete support
Dedicated on-campus support team
Academic coaching
Wellbeing & progress check-ins
Parent app for real-time updates
Three things this school does exceptionally well.
01
Small Boarding School in a Great Location
Set on a beautiful 520-acre campus in Ojai, Southern California, Besant Hill offers a close-knit boarding experience just 1.5 hours from Los Angeles and 1 hour from Santa Barbara.
02
Personalized Academic Support
With a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students benefit from small classes and individualized support through programs including Instructional Support, Capstone, and four-year college planning.
03
Experiential & Outdoor Learning
Students learn beyond the classroom through hands-on Capstone projects, outdoor activities like rock climbing and rafting, and international trips to destinations including Ecuador, Italy, Greece, and Australia.
School facts
A+
Niche overall grade
100
students enrolled
15
AP & Honors Course
12
Clubs
1:4
Faculty to Student Ratio
520
Acre Campus Size
20+
Countries Represented on Campus
100%
school-wide university acceptance
The Top 100 Guarantee
A place at a Top 100 US university, in writing.
$50,000
refunded if an eligible student doesn't receive a Top 100 offer. New for students arriving Fall 2026.
What it takes
Meet the academic and attendance standards
Follow your Amerigo university counseling plan
Apply to the recommended list of universities
The location
Live freely. Explore deeply.
Students at Besant Hill School enjoy living in the scenic campus in Southern California, with easy access to incredible natural beauty, cultural opportunities and the city of Los Angeles.
Ojai has a population of 7,540 people
Easy access to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) and Burbank International Airport (BUR).
Close to top-ranked colleges and universities, including California Institute of Technology (#7), University of California - Los Angeles (#15), University of Southern California (#28), University of California - Irvine (#33) and many more.
Accommodation
A safe home away from home.
Students live in a supervised residence, fully staffed and close to campus. The on-campus Amerigo team is always nearby, so no one is ever on their own.
Supervised residence
Live-in staff, study spaces and meals, all on or beside campus.
Fully staffed & supported
24/7 wellbeing check-ins from the Amerigo team on campus.
FAQ
Your questions, answered.
It’s a great fit for students who value a close-knit, diverse community and love arts, outdoor adventures, environmental learning, and experiential education.
What academic programs stand out?
Besant Hill stands out for its Instructional Support Program, personalized four-year college counseling, and Dual Enrollment with Ventura College, allowing students to earn up transferable college credits before university.
Where will you live?
In a supervised on-campus residence with live-in staff, safe and fully supported. The on-campus Amerigo team is there day and night, so you're never on your own.
What's the area around the school like?
Ojai Valley is known for its beautiful natural scenery. It’s located in Southern California, around 90 minutes from Los Angeles. It’s also close to Santa Barbara, making it a great location for students who want a peaceful, nature-focused setting while still having access to beaches, cities, and cultural experiences.
What is Amerigo 360°?
It's the complete support system around every Amerigo student: a dedicated on-campus team, academic coaching, wellbeing check-ins and a family app that keeps everyone in the loop. Other programs have a contact nearby. Amerigo has a team inside the building.
Is the Top 100 university guarantee real?
How do you get started?
Download the school profile, join a webinar or book a free call. One of our advisors will be in touch within one working day.
Take the next step
Three easy ways to go deeper.
Pick whichever suits you best.
Get the school profile
Join a live webinar
Talk to an advisor
Explore more schools
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