2023 Best Schools in Meiners Oaks

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  97 reviews

Parent: My daughter graduated from Thacher last year and I must say that it was a truly transformational experience for her. While studying in a rigorous academic environment, she often spoke of how there was a spirit of cooperation amongst her peers and how her teachers were accessible. She was able to participate in many activities - athletics, performing arts, clubs, etc... during her time at Thacher. While busy, she wasn't overwhelmed. That is what I heard most often from her peers at other independent schools in our home town. Thumbs up to Thacher for preparing my daughter well for life!... Read 97 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 259

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  63 reviews

Junior: I like the community and academics the most about Villanova Preparatory School. The teachers and student alike are kind and supportive, more than other highschools can attest to. The Villanova community is a safe space for people when they need to talk or need assistance. Every single student at the school at least has one friend or person that they can go to if they were struggling whether it be academics, athletically, etc. Since the school is a boarding school, it provides day and resident students the opportunity to experience new cultures and ideas. The advanced curriculum allows students to grow in their knowledge of the subject but also gain and strengthen skills that are needed not only in college but in life. Something I believe need to be adapted or change about Villanova is the facilities. Oftentimes when a person needs to use the restroom they have found that the entire bathroom is out of order or a few stalls due to flooding or other issues, making the experience subpar.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 195

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: Our family has been a part of the OVS community for about two years and we have been very happy with our child's experience. In addition to fostering a sense of community, the variety within OVS's curriculum is hard to match - from standard academics to extracurriculars, OVS offers a plethora of ways for kids to learn about themselves and each other. I'm not familiar with (m)any PreK-8 or Pre-K-12 schools that have music, art, tech/maker, woodworking, and sports (including equestrian) programs, and OVS has all of these! The teachers and administrators are accessible and have been impressive with their COVID response and ability to keep kids in school.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 296

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  27 reviews

Parent: I am a parent of two students that attended Besant Hill School. The school was able to provide a quality and challenging educational experience for both, even though they are very different types of learners. As day students, they benefitted from the boarding school environment in many ways. The structure of the academic day, and evening study hall, the weekend activities and clubs, trips domestically and internationally, and mostly the diversity of students from all over the world. Both have gone on to college (one has graduated) and were well prepared not only academically, but also for life. They are critical thinkers, they know how to advocate for themselves and stand up for what they believe, and they are not afraid to take risks. The amount of adult mentorship that they received at the school has given them guidance and confidence to go into the world and make a difference. Thank you!... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 87

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  33 reviews

Parent: So fortunate to be at a school like OGS, and to be living in beautiful Ojai! Previously living in Venice/Santa Monica area and were ready to raise our boys in a smaller community, but still wanting to be close to friends and family in LA. We have found such an amazing community of parents, teachers, and for us and our two boys, and we all made close friends quickly. Oak Grove School really focuses on the heart and soul of what it is to become a comfortable creative and competent human. It all happens on one of the most beautiful campuses ever. Our boys love having little buddies and buddies in the high school. The students in the high school boarding program include international students to the mix of really interesting and cool high school kids. We feel reassured by what we see happening in junior high and high school that our boys are going to have a super positive experience. The boys are thriving academically, and it feels like our whole family is flourishing at Oak Grove.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 238

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: I love Weil for many things including the tennis, school, daily routine, fitness, and the people at Weil. It has helped me become a much better tennis player and become a great student who is academically and athletically ready for college. I look forward to the much more progress I will continue to be doing throughout the rest of m time with Weil.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 58

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Ventura, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: My experience at VCS was outstanding. I went there from 7th to 8th grade and it was one of my best schooling I've gotten. The teachers are amazing and the people too. Everyone is always helpful and they actually care about you. When going to school, I felt like VCS was another home for me.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 432

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Ojai Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  68 reviews

Alum: I loved my senior year at Nordhoff, it was fast and so rewarding in everyday!Many people see this school as small and there is nothing to do and that's wrong! Having a small school has many benefits including having a better connection with professors and being able to get faster responses! The teachers at Nordhoff want to see the students succeed in everyway and so does the community! Being a ranger is a forever feeling. There is a saying ranger born, ranger breed, I will be a ranger until I am dead. The community loves the schools football games and is a whole community bonding moment. Many people graduate from Nordhoff and head off to ivy league schools, out of state universities and even CC or trade schools. The amount of students who leave Nordhoff do end up continuing there studies elsewhere and will strive to represent there community as well as themselves. Nordhoff teaches you core values that will make the student excel! We believe citizen first before student! I love it!... Read 68 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 755

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Ojai Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Matilija is a great school! Very caring teachers, supportive administrators, and challenging curriculum. Great music program, too!... Read 2 reviews

• grade B

• Students 499

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Ojai Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We have been at Topa Topa for two years and just love it! Teachers are the best. My son has excelled in reading and writing after a hard virtual/covid year. He is doing great and loves his teachers and friends. We walk to and from school each day get to visit with our neighbors everyday. It is a lovely neighborhood school with a great vibes.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Students 250

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Ojai Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 215

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Ventura, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Holy Cross School has been an amazing experience for our son in TK! The class sizes are small so your child gets more one on one time with the teachers. Holy Cross is adding a STEM program to the school for elementary classes in addition to middle school. They have an amazing and very engaged science teacher that makes science and engineering fun for kids as young as our son in TK! The maker space is truly wonderful and kids and use their imaginations to create and explore. The staff and teachers have been really helpful, supportive and friendly! The school building itself so beautiful, well maintained and taken care of! Plus the location is right in the heart of beautiful Downtown Ventura!! Children also go to Mass once a week at The Mission, one of the most beautiful and historic churches in the area! Come check out Holy Cross for yourself!... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 151

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-3

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Amazing school for little ones. At this school every person is treated with respect, even the littlest ones. An emphasis on arts, being on stage and learning through play. A wonderful community of children, staff and parents.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 119

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 68

• Student-teacher ratio 34:1

• Ojai, CA•

• Private School•

• 8

• grade unavailable

• Students 66

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Ojai Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 43

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Ventura, CA•

• Preschool

• grade unavailable

• Students 11

• Student-teacher ratio —