Summary: Midland’s curriculum merges college preparation with experiential learning. Using the extraordinary resources at hand - 2,860 acres in Santa Barbara County, a near 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 through UCSB’s Arts & Lectures program; 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.

Department Director Ellie Moore

Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 15

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 70%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

• Evening Study Assistance
• Peer Tutoring

English

• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• American Literature

History

• Honors
• United States History
• World History

Foreign Languages

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Anthropology
• World Issues

Sciences

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Physical Science
• Physics

Math

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

• Community Service
• Internships
• Leadership
• Outdoor Education
• Physical Education
• Student Council

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 24

Average Students Per Dorm: 4

Number of Girls Dorms: 11

Number of Boys Dorms: 13

Dorm Amenities

• Game Room
• Laundry Facilities

Other Dorm Amenities

Students live in wood cabins with one other roommate. Each cabin comes with the bed, wardrobe, dresser, desk, and desk chair.

Student Life

Community is at the center of Midland student life. Our Prefect system ensures that students always have peer mentors to help guide them through the boarding experience, while also teaching our Senior students responsibility for their community. Midland students and faculty jump at the opportunity to drive club and extra-curricular activities in the afternoons and evenings, hosting movie nights ft. buttery popcorn and chocolate chip cookies, Coffee House (Midland’s version of open-mic nights), puzzles & games in faculty homes and smores-roasting & hot-chocolate drinking by the campfire, under the stars somewhere out on the property. Midland’s intentional technology policy prioritizes face-to-face conversations over screen time; our students leave their cell phones at home so that they can spend their time hiking, reading, and chatting over cups of tea rather than on social media. A discussion of Midland student life wouldn’t be complete without mention of the delicious family-style meals our community shares in Stillman hall: breakfast burritos, shepherd’s pie, tomato soup & grilled cheese, a homemade peanut butter & jelly station and a salad bar full of vegetables picked that very morning… even the pickiest eaters can always find something they love at Midland.

Facilities

• Basketball Court
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Indoor Climbing Wall
• Volleyball Court
• Soccer Field
• Equestrian Facilities
• Cross Country Trails

Other Facilities

• 10 acre Organic Garden

Clubs & Organizations

• Community Service
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Environmental Club
• Foreign Language Clubs
• Gardening Club
• Horseback Riding
• Jewish Student Organization
• Newspaper
• Peer Tutoring
• Photography Club
• Sexualities Club
• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Student Publications
• Surfing Club
• Theater Club
• Weightlifting Club
• Woodworking Club
• Yoga Club
• GSA
• Recycling Club
• Farming
• Outdoor Activities

Summary: ARTS: Midland’s Visual Arts Department cultivates active engagement between students and the natural and man-made world surrounding them. Art courses help students develop a way of observing the world, a language to describe it, and means for expressing it through the Visual Elements and Principles of Design. Midland believes that intentional, constant practice in creative problem-solving and critical thinking in the visual arts promotes a culture of practicing these habits in all areas of students’ lives. Our Arts Faculty see the participatory trial-and-error approach in art as a metaphor for developing skill and comfort in the lifelong processes of expressing ourselves and trying things out, learning from experiments that don’t work, and honing skills towards things that do work. Midland’s advanced art classes elaborate and expand upon these skills, placing heavier emphasis on student independence and the development of personal themes in artwork. ATHLETICS: All Midland students participate in competitive interscholastic sports – cross-country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, or softball. Our program provides an opportunity for all students to play the game while fostering leadership, sportsmanship, self-discovery, and physical fitness. Students discover their own talents and determination, while experiencing the value of disciplined practice. All Midland teams are coached by faculty members who mentor students in other capacities, so the field, court, and trails are extensions of Midland’s learning environment – in particular, cultivating authentic student leadership. In addition to competitive sports, Midland offers several non-competitive options as an alternative for one sports season should a student so choose. These options include Farm and Ranch, Kitchen, Yoga, Horses, and Outdoor Leadership. Midland School is a member of the Condor League which includes independent boarding and day schools in the tri-county area.

Arts Department Director: Faith Nygren

Athletics Department Director: Jose Juan Ibarra

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

• Basketball
• Cross Country Running
• Soccer
• Volleyball

Recreational Sports

• Camping
• Equestrian
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Outdoor Education
• Rock Climbing
• Surfing
• Yoga
• Fitness
• Climbing
• Outdoor Activities
• Backpacking

Summary: The goal of the Midland College Counseling Center is to help our students find the right college, one that fits each student's goals. It is a comprehensive process that includes research, standardized testing, recommendations, and various other steps. Our college counselor helps guide our students through this important process. "Midland prepares its students not only academically for college, but also gives us the life lessons necessary to live with a roommate, in a college community, and in the world. Midland has involved and caring teachers, which makes it really helpful when it comes to college recommendations. Our college counselor is especially devoted to helping students get into colleges that are the best individual fits. All in all, Midland is a very nurturing and helpful environment for a process that can be very stressful.” ~Midland Senior