The Athenian School

2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd, Danville, CA, 94506-0945
With distinctive meaningful programs, The Athenian School goes far beyond preparing talented and diverse students for outstanding colleges. Athenian empowers its graduates to become world citizens with lives of purpose and personal fulfillment. Athenian's distinguishing features include: an exciting and challenging academic curriculum, required community service, a required wilderness course, and extraordinary international experiences. Other signature programs include: town meeting, an airplane construction project, an award-winning robotics team, and many international opportunities (exchange, service projects, annual conferences, and faculty-led educational and service trips). Located on 75 beautiful acres at the base of Mt. Diablo, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area's only nonsectarian school with a high school boarding program. Virtually 100% attend 4-yr. universities, from all the Univ. of CA campuses, to USC, Stanford, Ivy League campuses, outstanding liberal arts colleges, and a wide range of others. Athenian encourages students to find the colleges or universities that best fit them, and many students gain admission to their first-choice college. Most importantly, Athenian students develop a deep understanding of themselves, extraordinary skills for achievement, and the compassion to make a positive difference in the world.

School Overview:

The Athenian School
School Membership(s) California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western States Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Religious Affiliation Nonsectarian
Grades Offered Grades 6 - 12
Year Founded 1965
Student Body
Total Students 460 students
Student Body Type Co-ed
Students by Grade
 
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers 52 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio 9:1 (National school avg.: 13:1)
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree 68%
Number of AP Courses 8 courses
Advanced Courses
Literature AB Calculus
BC Calculus Statistics
World History European History
Spanish IV French IV
Average SAT score 2009
Classroom dress code Casual
(Neat, clean, and in good taste)
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost $31,950
Tuition Notes 25350 Middle School 31950 Upper School day student 50800 Boarding Student (Upper School)
% on Financial Aid 20%
Average Financial Aid Grant $17,370
Admissions Director Christopher Beeson
Admissions Associate Beverly Gomer
Sports
Total Sports Offered 12 sports
Sports
Badminton Baseball
Basketball Cross Country
Golf Soccer
Softball Swimming
Tennis Track and Field
Volleyball Wrestling

School Notes:

  • Athenian's superb curriculum extends far beyond academic subjects with distinctive programs which develop students as world citizens for successful, meaningful, and purposeful lives. The academic curriculum offers: Interdisciplinary humanities courses in grades 9 and 10, followed by diverse seminars in history and literature Hands-on and applied science options, including: an airplane construction project, an applied science course, and an award-winning robotics team Extensive mathematics offerings beyond our two years of AP calculus courses to statistics and AP statistics Extensive offerings in the arts, including drawing, painting, pottery, stained glass, and photography, theatre, dance, and chorus Honors and/or AP courses accross the curriculum Superb college counseling with an individual plan for each student and counselors dedicated only to college advising Beyond the classroom, Athenian prepares students for the future as world citizens through: Meaningful required community service Extraordinary international opportunities through the Round Square Consortium of 60 schools on six continents: study abroad exchanges, international community service projects, and annual international student conferences Participation in school-governance through town meeting Guidance from a residential community of faculty who live on campus with their families. Faculty know students well, offering advice and support as mentors for each student. The Athenian Wilderness Experience, required of all 11th grade students (a meaningful program developing independence, leadership, and teamwork--NOT a survival course) An amazing an advantageous location which offers a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo as well as easy access to the San Francisco Bay Area Faculty who not only teach academic subjects but mentor students individually as academic advisors, residential program advisors, dormitory parents, coaches, club sponsors, community service trip leaders, and interim trip leaders. Service Learning in which academic courses include hands-on experiential learning with a community service focus. Such programs happen on campus, in the San Francisco Bay Area, and on international trips to such places as Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. ALUMNI & PARENTS SAY: "With the perfect balance of challenge and nurturing, Athenian teachers encourage you to experience and connect with your studies. I enjoyed academics, athletics, and the arts. I pursued my passions, graduating more certain of myself. I felt intellectually confident in my first college class. Athenian changes lives, and it's graduates affect change in the world." --Sarah Ames, Athenian Class of 2005, Vassar College "Athenian's inclusive environment enables every student to make a mark--whether in academics, performance and art, or clubs and sports. Athenian consistently produces bright, engaging, and confident young adults who are keenly aware that they are citizens of the world." --Deepak and Sherry Kamlani, current parents "Athenian encourages maturation as a full person and student. Athenian created a passion for learning in my son. He attended a Round Square conference in South Africa that profoundly affected him. He wants to help better the world. Jason now attends Stanford. The excitement about ideas ignited at Athenian shone through in his Stanford application. --Tina Levy, alumni parent (Jason, Athenian Class of 2004) "Athenian contributed to my growth as an intellectual and individual. The Athenian community helped me understand my role as a citizen of the world. I will be able to contribute to the greater society thanks to Athenian's rich ideals and supportive atmosphere. I will always cherish and stay connected to this amazing place." --Carmen Jimenez-Robbins, Athenian Class of 2005, Brown Univ. "Athenian teachers respect students, saying, "I not only see your children as they are now, but as what they can become." In my daughter, I now see a strong student, a self-motivated learner, and a well-rounded young lady with the desire to serve and take full responsibility for her life." --Margaret Bam, boarding student parent, South Africa "At Athenian you can do so many things--like start a club or propose a change. The avenues are open for you to explore. Personally, Athenian teachers are open to conversation outside of the classroom, and you get to know people really well. I have learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom. Many students leave Athenian and find college writing easy; Athenian prepared them well." --Kevin Burke, Athenian Class of 2005, University of Pennsylvania School accreditations: WASC, NAIS, CAIS, TABS, SSAT, ERB Sample of notable school alumni: Phillip Bennett - Geology Professor, Univ. of Texas, Austin Benjamin Brandzel - MoveOn.org Student Action Founder Greg Sherwood Cohalen - Emmy Award-Winning Public Broadcasting Anchor Craig Debro - KTVU 2, Oakland, Television News Reporter Joan Haratani - Attorney, San Francisco Bar Association President Carol Moldaw - Noted Poet, Winner of the Field Prize Douglas Perednia - Physician, Business Executive, Entrepreneur Korshied Samad - Journalist, Bureau Chief, Afghan Nonprofit Org. Founder Jackie Thomas - Nike Executive, Athenian School Trustee Andrew Wistrich - United States District Magistrate Judge

  • Profile last updated: 02/21/2012

Related School Videos:

Nearby Schools:

The Athenian School
Gr. 6-12 | 0 mi. away
Children's Academy of Danville
Gr. Nursery School-PK | 3.3 mi. away
Sycamore Valley Day School
Gr. Nursery/Preschool-PK | 3.6 mi. away
San Ramon Valley Christian Academy
Gr. K-9 | 4.4 mi. away
St Isidore School
Gr. K-9 | 4.6 mi. away
Das Montessori Kinderhaus
Gr. K-6 | 4.6 mi. away

View all schools in: Danville, Contra Costa County, Zip 94506

School Reviews:

Submit School Recommendation:

1. Recommend school?:
Add School Reviews - Recommended Yes
2. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
3. Email address:      I am a:
(we will not reveal your email)

Area Statistics:

Recent Articles:

About Girls' Schools: In Their Words
About Girls' Schools: In Their Words
Published April 15, 2013
Here are a dozen or so girls' schools' public thoughts about themselves and their missions.

Make Summer a Special Time! Make Summer a Special Time!
If you have children in private school, then you are most likely looking at three months, perhaps even longer, which you must fill with activities of one kind or another during the long summer break.

Are You Liable? Are You Liable?
Is your DEL key about to get gaveled? It doesn't matter whether you teach in a public or private school setting. You expose yourself to legal risks every single day on the job.

  • More articles: Paying For It, Pre-elementary, High School Issues, Jobs in Private Schools, Running a Private School
  • REQUEST FREE
    ADMISSIONS INFORMATION:

    I am a: Parent   Student  
    Email:
    Parent or guardian name:
    First name:
    Middle name:
    Last name:
    Student date of birth:
    Country of citizenship:
    Student is:
    Male   Female  
    Currently grade:    Seeking entry grade:
    Target start date:
    Name of current school:
    School type:
    Public   Private   Parochial  
    Applying for financial aid?:
    Yes   No   Don't Know  

    Please describe academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests of the student.

    Address:
    City:
    Country:
    State:
    Zip:

    (enter "N/A" if not applicable)
    Phone:

    Allow other schools to send me information. Share your information with all schools on our site and let them send you brochures.

    Save this data and create your user profile. Create your own user account so you don't have to re-type your user data each time you request information.You'll also be able to track your information requests, get reminded of application dates, and more!

    Most Popular Articles: