Very Good
#200 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 11% of private schools
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
High School
8585 OJAI SANTA PAULA RD, Ojai, CA 93023
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Ojai. Learn more
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher
5.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher
5.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Ojai
#3 of 6
public schools
California high schools
#40 of 277
About Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley serves 73 students in grades 9-12 in Ojai, California, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional 5.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 13 full-time equivalent teachers, this small public high school provides personalized attention that's difficult to find in larger institutions. The school has earned impressive recognition, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #653 out of 1,790 California high schools, placing it in the 64th percentile statewide.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its close-knit community. Students benefit from small class sizes that allow teachers to know each individual learner well and tailor instruction to their needs. The intimate scale fosters strong relationships between students and faculty, creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
The school draws families from a well-educated community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $80,720. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.7%, contributing to a stable learning environment. Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is nestled in Ojai's scenic rural setting near town, providing students with the tranquility of countryside living while maintaining access to community resources and the natural beauty that makes this area of Ventura County so distinctive.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 73 students, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Besant Hill School of Happy Valley compares to the 8 public schools in Ojai, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Ojai
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Besant Hill School of Happy Valley (this school) | 7.6 |
| Topa Topa Elementary | 4.7 |
| Legacy High | 5.6 |
| Summit | 3.5 |
| Nordhoff High | 8.4 |
| Nordhoff Jr. High | 5.1 |
| Meiners Oaks Elementary | 3.6 |
| Mira Monte Elementary | 5.9 |
| Valley Oak Charter | 3.0 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
8585 OJAI SANTA PAULA RD, Ojai, CA 93023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Besant Hill School of Happy Valley may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Nordhoff High (rated 8.4/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is VILLANOVA PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Legacy High (rated 5.6/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ojai, see our Ojai schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Besant Hill School of Happy Valley Ojai | 0.0 mi | — |
| MONICA ROS SCHOOL Ojai | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Monica Ros School Ojai | 1.5 mi | — |
| The Thacher School Ojai | 1.8 mi | — |
| Mother of Divine Grace Ojai | 3.3 mi | — |
| Topa Topa Elementary Ojai | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Weil Tennis Academy and College Preparatory School Ojai | 3.3 mi | — |
| Legacy High Ojai | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Summit Ojai | 3.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Laurel Springs Ojai | 4.0 mi | — |
| Global Village School Ojai | 4.0 mi | — |
| Ojai Valley School Ojai | 4.4 mi | — |
| OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL Ojai | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| VILLANOVA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Ojai | 4.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Nordhoff Jr. High Ojai | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Nordhoff High Ojai | 4.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Meiners Oaks Elementary Ojai | 5.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Mira Monte Elementary Ojai | 5.6 mi | 5.9 |
| OAK GROVE SCHOOL Ojai | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Valley Oak Charter Ojai | 5.8 mi | 3.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,298
Median Home Value
$888,700
Median Rent
$1,831/mo
Population
21,559
College Educated
41.1%
Homeownership
73.5%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
51
Community Profile
The community surrounding Besant Hill School of Happy Valley has a median household income of $82,298. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $888,700, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Wildomar, CA | 7.6 |
| RISE UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY San Francisco, CA | 7.6 |
| Sunset High (Continuation) Encinitas, CA | 7.6 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SILVANER Los Angeles, CA | 7.6 |
| WINSTON SCHOOL Del Mar, CA | 7.6 |
| Warner Junior/Senior High Warner Springs, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
What grades does Besant Hill School of Happy Valley serve?
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Besant Hill School of Happy Valley?
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley?
The student-teacher ratio at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is 5.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Besant Hill School of Happy Valley rank in CA?
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is ranked #200 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Besant Hill School of Happy Valley's MySchoolScout rating?
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Besant Hill School of Happy Valley a private school?
Yes, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Besant Hill School of Happy Valley a religious school?
No, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 73
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 177 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- VENTURA
- Phone
- (805) 223-5698
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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