Why Thacher?
High school shouldn't ask you to choose
Why merely study science
The best way to learn to care for something bigger
Some of the best classrooms
An education should give you the tools
You can't avoid peer pressure
To become your best self
Facts that Matter
Thacher Today
Special Campaign Issue - Summer 2017
Magazine Archive: 2000-2012
Parents' Post Archive
Places That Make Thacher Thacher
Faculty Unscripted
Head of School Search
Toad Bucket List
Leaders for the Greatest Good
Films About Thacher
Philosophy and Mission
Community Investigation and Report
Affording Thacher
Visits, Events, and Travel
The Thacher Observatory
xBlock Electives
Where Thacher Students Go to College
College Representative Visits
For College Admission Officers
The Senior Exhibition Program
Extra-Day Trips
Golden Trout Wilderness School
Nautilus Wilderness Immersion Program
Mission & Organization
Thacher Traditions
Advising System
Ninth-Grade Foundations Program
Schoolhouse Snapshots
Careers at Thacher
Fisher Fellows
The Ojai Area
Online Thacher Store
Virtual Admission Events
Golden Trout Encampment
MyThacher
Alumni Events & Activities
Upper Field
"The quality of the Upper Field makes me feel lucky every single time I step out onto it, soccer ball and cleats in hand. Whether you're looking down the sideline towards the goal, or looking out at a perfect view of the Ojai Valley, there is no better time and place to be than the Upper Field at sunset."
"Research Topics in Astronomy has been my favorite class at Thacher. We are doing cutting-edge research thanks to Dr. Swift's connections within the professional astronomy community and our great resource: the Observatory. The fact that we are solving real-world problems and not just abstract concepts on paper is really exciting—I'm understanding how the material I'm learning can be used to do actual research, not just memorizing formulas and taking tests."
The Dorm Courtyard
"The dorm courtyard is versatile; there can be anything from impromptu all-dorm dance parties to napping in the hammocks. The best part about the courtyard is that it feels safe, a place to be myself and hang out with my friends."
"I think my favorite place at Thacher is Sunday after swimming, sun-drying next to a friend after a long day of doing homework."
The Gymkhana Field
"My favorite place is the Gymkhana Field. Over the years, it has been the source of so much excitement, struggle, and growth for me. I've had a lot of great days out there racing around with my horse, trying to win points for my team."
Twin Peaks Trail
"My friends and I have started a tradition where we take the two-hour round trip to the top of Twin Peaks to celebrate the end of final exams. Once we reach the summit and get that stunning view of the valley, all the stress and worry of finals goes away."
"My favorite place at Thacher is room 5, which is the art room. It's not the cleanest or most jazzy classroom, but I love that when I'm there I'm surrounded by art and it's a quiet place where I can do what I really love."
The Bench Above the Observatory
"Whether you walk or ride there, the view from the bench above the Observatory is beautiful at any time of day. You can see the campus and the entire Ojai Valley. And it's quiet."
The Outdoor Theatre
"My English teacher told us they used to do Shakespeare here back when it was an all-male school and boys had to play the female roles. It's the best place to see a concert. Under a blanket, beneath the oaks and the stars it is magical."
Open House at the Head of School's
"Open House at the Head of School's home is the place to be on a Thacher Saturday night. A word of advice: If you are there, you want to be in the kitchen when the timer for the cookies goes off."
"I have as much fun in the library as I do anywhere else on campus. It's where my friends and I get things done, usually with a lot of laughing involved."
The Swing Set
"When I first saw the swing set I thought it must be for the faculty children. Ever since I realized it wasn't, I go for a swing every chance I get, usually between sports practice and the shower."
The Barns
"What I like about the barns is there is absolutely nothing there to make you think you are in school. Or even in this century, for that matter. Plus, it's where my horse lives."
"When I was little I was afraid of bees, which is why I find it so funny that one of my favorite places on campus is the apiary. Of course wearing the bee suit helps."
The Outdoor Chapel
"My favorite place is the Outdoor Chapel. After riding, when my horse is fed and washed, I like to sneak up past Friendship Barn and sit on one of the benches and watch as the sun sets. The sky fills with red and pink and deep purple, and I can see the whole valley. In the rush of Thacher, it is my favorite place to reflect and grasp the beauty of our campus."
"I'm still blown away every time I pass by the big solar array that the School installed a couple of years ago. It's exciting to know that we're prioritizing sustainability in that way—and that 90 percent of our energy needs are now covered by renewable solar power."
Bard Field
"When spring rolls around there's nowhere I'd rather be on a sunny afternoon than Bard Field. The baseball team has a really strong work ethic but we also still maintain a fun group atmosphere. Fresh clay and cut grass, plus the new dugouts and scoreboards and batting cages—nothing can beat it."
Lower School Quad
"Foregoing closed-off corridors and exclusive hallway groups, the Lower School Quad is truly unique. It's rare that you find a place where you can walk out of your front door and immediately be involved in whatever dorm activities happen to be occurring. More than just a common space, the Quad is a reminder that Thacher is about community."
The Milligan Center for the Performing Arts
"The first time we moved our rehearsals from the dance studio to the Milligan Center Stage, I was nervous. It has such a professional theater feel. A couple of years and several performances later, and it's home."
The Ojai Valley
"Tucked up in a valley just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, Ojai is surrounded by mountain wilderness. And you can't beat our sunsets."
"From casual breakfasts to Formal Dinners—every meal in the Dining Hall is a chance to hang out with friends, enjoy delicious food, and marvel at the views."
A college preparatory, coed boarding school for grades 9-12
The Thacher School
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, California, 93023
Email: info@thacher.org
Explore Thacher
Admission to Thacher
Student Life at Thacher
Horse Program / Equestrian
Athletics and The Arts
Dorms and Campus Map
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.
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