Private School Review - Established 2003

Midland School

5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd Los Olivos, CA 93441
Tel: (805) 686-2469
midland-school.org

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 72 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $83,900
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
Midland School Photo #1 - How is Midland different? Our 4:1 student to faculty ratio allows for small class sizes and close-knit relationships. With under 90 students, everyone knows your name. No cell phones here, but Midlanders do spend a lot of time together in real life: horseback riding, hiking, gardening, creating art, building things, and envisioning an environmentally sustainable and just future.
Midland School Photo #2 - Midland's farm, orchard, and the rest of the main campus are set in front of the amazing backdrop of Grass Mountain. We neighbor the Sedgwick Reserve, the San Rafael Wilderness, Chamberlin Ranch, and other other stunning central California tourist destinations. The school is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, known for its equestrian community and picturesque vineyards.
Midland School Photo #3 - How is Midland different? Our 4:1 student to faculty ratio allows for small class sizes and close-knit relationships. With under 90 students, everyone knows your name. No cell phones, but they do spend a lot of time together in real life: horseback riding, hiking, gardening, creating art, building things, and envisioning an environmentally sustainable and just future.
Midland School Photo #4 - Our Outdoor Leadership program builds skills and experience for students to be comfortable leading their own outdoor adventures. This immersive program includes opportunities for backpacking, rock climbing, and learning Wilderness First Aid. Students who qualify as stewards are able to lead their own trips on our 2,8600-acre property.
Midland School Photo #5 - Arts at Midland takes place in many forms, 2D and 3D art in our studio, ceramics, woodworking, and metalworking. The natural surroundings are often used for inspiration or materials sourcing. For example, this past year the woodshop students made brooms out of willows, driftwood, and farm-grown corn from the Midland fields.
Midland School Photo #6 - Midland's 10-acre organic farm and garden is the heart of the campus. Before graduation, all students take part in the farm through an academic internship, student job, or sports/activity season. We grow over 75 varieties of crops, and the land provides over 50% of the value of everything we eat in the dining hall.
Midland School Photo #7 - With 20+ horses on site as well as thousands of acres of ranchland, our horse and ranch program is always in full swing. Students learn natural horsemanship approaches to build relationships with the herd while also learning practical ranch skills. Students can enjoy trail rides around the property and overnight horse-packing trips.
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About the School

  • Midland School, located on a 2,860-acre ranch at the edge of the Los Padres Wilderness, has been the leader of place-based college preparatory education since 1932.
  • Everything we do-from the courses we choose to teach to how we maintain our campus to the way we feed ourselves-originates from an intentional curriculum that focuses not only on college preparatory classes, but also on leadership, community, and stewardship.
  • Our scale empowers students with authentic leadership opportunities, provides highly personalized learning, and inspires the pursuit of intellectual passions.
  • At Midland, thirty-eight percent of our students identify as students of color, over forty percent receive generous financial assistance to attend, and the depth of our boarding experience facilitates both top-tier college admissions and future success.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 72 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $83,900
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Midland School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Lowest average acceptance rates
School History
Oldest founding date

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
National Association of College Admissions Counselors
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
Religious Affiliation
Nonsectarian
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Students By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade

GradeMidland School
917
1019
1117
1219
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Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1932
Campus Size
2860 acres

Student Body

Total Students
72 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
19%
State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
10 students
List of Courses Offered
Link to List of Courses
Advanced Courses
American StudiesArt
BiologyCalculus
English 12Physics
Spanish
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
View Matriculation Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$83,900
View national tuition avg.
Tuition Notes
Midland is 100% boarding. International students are charged $2,750 for health insurance
% on Financial Aid
48%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$52,000
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 82%
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Cierra Rickman
Admissions Associate
Jasmine Fullman
Application URL
Online Application
Endowment Size
$22 million

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
10 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Black Student AllianceLatinX Club
Queercus (LGBTQ+ & Ally Group)Student Council


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Equestrian ProgramGarden
Outdoor LeadershipRock Climbing
Strength and ConditioningSurfing

School Notes

  • School Motto: Live Your Education
  • School Mascot: Mighty Oaks
  • Midland`s curriculum merges college preparation with experiential learning. Using the extraordinary resources at hand - 2,860 acres in Santa Barbara County, a 90+ year-old culture of responsibility to community and environment, and a committed faculty - we develop personal agency in our students. Midland cultivates the belief that it matters what we do, and we actively engage students in their high school journey, both within and outside the classroom.
  • Midland students live their education, from exploring the natural and cultural history of the world beneath our feet in field-based UC-approved science and social science courses in 9th grade, to writing and presenting a senior thesis in 12th grade. With courses ranging from Algebra 1 to Calculus 3 (some years) and English 9 to British Literature, Midland meets students where they are and challenges them to think critically and problem solve resourcefully.
  • To step into the Rich Arts Building during the academic day or evening and to see students engaged in the creative process of translating observations into 2D and 3D artworks in drawing, painting, ceramics, and metal is to see a school that values craftsmanship and design. To observe our interdisciplinary World and American Studies classes is to see a school that values discourse and cultural competency. Midland students learn to speak publicly and write fluently, in English and Spanish.
  • To develop lifelong learners, our weekly Experiential Saturday program provides structure and staffing for ungraded 3-hour blocks every week that tap into the passions of faculty and students, including farm, ranch, and outdoor explorations; cultural events and talks; projects on campus; health and wellness discussions; and diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops at peer schools.
  • While cultivating a life of the mind, Midland actively builds character, work ethic, and resilience through a daily Jobs program in which every student is not only valued but needed. Midland is preparation for college and life.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Midland School cost?
Midland School's tuition is approximately $83,900 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Midland School?
The acceptance rate of Midland School is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 80%. Midland School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Midland School offer?
Midland School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Surf Team and Volleyball.
What is Midland School's ranking?
Midland School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Midland School?
The application deadline for Midland School is Feb. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Calendar

View the Midland School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event
Date
Fall Break begins after 6pm & parent dinner
October 09, 2026 (Friday)
Fall Break
October 10, 2026 (Saturday)
Fall Break
October 11, 2026 (Sunday)
Fall Break
October 12, 2026 (Monday)
Fall Break
October 13, 2026 (Tuesday)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Santa Barbara County, CA is $27,538 for elementary schools and $43,101 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 61% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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