Sonoma Academy (Top Ranked Private School for 2025)

2500 Farmers Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Sonoma Academy Photo #2 - State-of-the-art facilities, like a recording studio, digital media lab, robotics studio, and more allow students to explore their passions and interests and learn real-world skills.

Sonoma Academy Photo #3 - Students love coming to school!

Sonoma Academy Photo #4 - We have great teachers who are experts in their fields. 85% of our teachers have advanced degrees. Most importantly, they are passionate about the subjects they teach.

Sonoma Academy Photo #5 - Students receive one free international Intersession trip during their four years at Sonoma Academy. Recent trips have included: Bali, Bahamas, Cuba, Greece, Patagonia, Spain, and more. Students have the opportunity to learn about other cultures and explore subjects more deeply.

We are grounded in a rigorous college preparatory framework, but we go much further.

We are multidisciplinary and cutting-edge, giving students the ability to ask the hard questions, and the tools to answer them.

We are technologically sophisticated, but we recognize the limitations of technology, so we teach critical thinking above all else-because this is the foundation of true learning.

We are deeply humanistic, treating every student with profound respect and care.

And we are a joyful, inclusive, vibrant community-where students actually love to come to school every day.

Quick Stats (2025)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 335 students
Yearly Tuition: $56,580
Acceptance rate: 92%
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Nov. 1 / Jan. 10
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Sonoma Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Year Founded

2001

Colors

Green, Gold

First Day of School

Fri. Aug 15, 2025

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

Campus Size

Student Body

Total Students

335 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

33 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

10:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

85%

Average Class Size

16 students

Number of AP Courses

10 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP Chemistry, Advanced Studies in Art History, AP Physics 1, Art History (Advanced Studies), Comparative Religions (Advanced Studies), Constitutional Law (Advanced Studies), Multivariable Calculus

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Nov. 1 / Jan. 10

Yearly Tuition Cost

$56,580

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition fees includes daily lunch program, textbooks and materials, intersession, dances and social activities, yearbook, cap and gown, and more!We have a financial aid program that is designed to help families with the cost of tuition and is based on demonstrated financial need. We award nearly $3.5 million in financial aid each year. Awards may range from 5-95% of tuition.

% on Financial Aid

50%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$27,000

Acceptance Rate

92%

National avg.: 81%

Admissions Director

Kim Eber

Admissions Associate

Luc Martin

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$5 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

10 sports

Sports

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

19 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Admission All-Stars, Affinity Groups, Book Club, Chess Club, Debate Team, FRC Robotics Team, Marketing & Communications Internship, QSA-Queer Straight Alliance, Speech Team, Student Leadership Council, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band, Strings Ensemble, Theater Production, Tri-M Music Honors Society

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Fitness

School Notes

School Motto: Truth and Honor
School Mascot: Coyote

The school has a suite of studios including: Robotics/Electronics/Engineering, Metal & Wood Fabrication, Digital Media, and Broadcast & Sound. There is also a teaching kitchen that enables students to take courses or do projects related to food science, nutrition, and cooking & baking.
Daily lunch provided in the Commons dining area.
One free international travel trip for each student during their tenure at the school Past trips have included Bali, France, Thailand, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras, the Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, Spain, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Belgium, Mexico, and Holland.
Sports include soccer, basketball, lacrosse, cross-country, track & field, tennis (singles & doubles), volleyball, golf, and baseball.
Students have the option to pursue a concentration (like a college minor) in either STEM, environmental stewardship, or global citizenship.
There is an Accelerated Sports Program, designed for highly motivated and talented student-athletes who have aspirations to compete at least at the collegiate level.
Extensive college counseling begins junior year.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Alec B. Airhart - Notable artist -
- Zoe L. Nova - Innovative entrepreneur -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sonoma Academy cost?

Sonoma Academy's tuition is approximately $56,580 for private students.

What schools are Sonoma Academy often compared to?

Sonoma Academy is often viewed alongside schools like Cardinal Newman High School by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Sonoma Academy?

The acceptance rate of Sonoma Academy is 92%, which is higher than the national average of 80%.

Who are famous alumni from Sonoma Academy?

Sonoma Academy famous alumni include: Alec B. Airhart - Notable artist and Zoe L. Nova - Innovative entrepreneur.

What sports does Sonoma Academy offer?

Sonoma Academy offers 10 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Sonoma Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Sonoma Academy's ranking?

Sonoma Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.

When is the application deadline for Sonoma Academy?

The application deadline for Sonoma Academy is Nov. 1 / Jan. 10.

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