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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Besant Hill School of Happy Valley compares to the 8 public schools in Ojai, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.6:1
This School
vs
25.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
73
This School
vs
266
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.6
This School
vs
5.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 67.1% vs 0%
Asian 20.5% vs 0%
Black 4.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.1% vs 0%
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley Ojai Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,433.7
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 50%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 73
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)

White 67.1%
Asian 20.5%
Black 4.1%
Hispanic 4.1%
Two or More 4.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,066/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ojai). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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