The Athenian School
Overview

Located on 75 beautiful acres, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area's only nonsectarian boarding school. Talented and diverse students become life-long learners and confident successful adults with a deep understanding of themselves, extraordinary skills for achievement, and the compassion to make a positive difference in the world. Distinguishing features: amazing international programs, robotics, town meeting, service, and wilderness experiences. Vitually 100% attend 4-yr colleges, including: Berkeley (& all UCs), Brown, Columbia, Stanford, USC, Wellesley, and U. of Pennsylvania, among many others.
Academics
Summary: Athenian's teachers know each student, engaging, supporting, and challenging when needed. From global core courses to advanced seminars and applied science, Athenian classes involve students actively.
Department Director Richard Bradford
Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Average Class Size: 15
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers:
Number of AP Courses Offered: 9
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 68%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Noteworthy Information:
Mathmatics championships Debate championships Student written and directed theater productions
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Poetry
History
- Asian History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
Religion / Philosophy
- Moral Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Social Justice
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Marine Biology
- Physics
- Physiology
Math
Computer Studies
- Multimedia
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
Music
- Band
- Choral Music
- History of Jazz
- Music History
Performing / Visual Arts
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Outdoor Education
- Robotics
Distinctive or New Programs
- A
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 4
Average Students Per Dorm: 20
Number of Girls Dorms: 2
Number of Boys Dorms: 2
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
One dorm has two separate sections: one boys and one girls that total 60 boarding students and 60 faculty and their family who live on campus. A total over 120 people live on campus Supervised Access to San Francisco Bay Area
Student Life
All Athenian students take part in the arts, athletic activities, and community service. Advisory groups and field trips enrich the curriculum. The San Francisco Bay Area provides many options for weekend activities and events.
Facilities
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Pool
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
- Center for Innovation and Design
- Library
Clubs & Organizations
- Animal Rights Club
- Asian Club
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Food Council
- Honor Council
- International Club
- Investment Club
- Jewish Student Organization
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Sailing Club
- Sexualities Club
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Weightlifting Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Summary: The Arts are vital at Athenian with strong programs in visual art, music, drama, dance, and chorus. Athletics play in important role at the school with room for both the competitive player and the beginner.
Arts Department Director: Stacey Goodman
Athletics Department Director:
Notable Achievements: Athletic league championships Outstnding fine and performing arts
Arts
Interscholastic Sports
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Equestrian
- Golf
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Dance
- Hiking
- Outdoor Education
- Rock Climbing
- Sailing
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Weight Lifting
- Yoga
Graduates
Summary: Athenian's college counselors support students in finding colleges that fit them well. Athenian graduates gain admisssion to wide variety of outstanding colleges from all the Univ. of CA campuses, to all the Ivy League campuses, Stanford and many more.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 99%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 580 | 590 | 580 |
75th percentile | 710 | 720 | 720 |
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Notable Alumni
Greg Sherwood Cohelen
Class of 1969
Emmy Award winning Public Broadcasting Anchor former Athenian trustee
Phillip Bennett
Class of 1977
The Secret Life of Caves" PBS (Nova) BBC Smithsonian Nature; U. of TX Prof. of Geology"
Joan Haratani
Class of 1975
Attorney Recent President San Francisco Bar Assocation
Carol Moldaw
Class of 1974
Extensively published poet novelist Field Prize Winner former Athenian trustee
Korsheid Nusrati Samad
Class of 1981
Journalist Bureau Chief Afgan non-profit founder
Jaqueline Thomas
Class of 1982
Former Nike Executive former Athenian trustee
Andrew Wistrich
Class of 1969
United States District Magistrate Judge former Athenian trustee
Quotes From Alumni
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 31
Total Day: 469
Total Enrollment: 530
Boys: 264
Girls: 266
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 6-12
School Type: Middle, High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO
Application Deadline: January 14th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $65,420
5-Day Boarding: $65,420
Day Tuition Fee: $41,000
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 22%
Average Awarded: $26,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $950,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Christopher Beeson
Admissions Phone: 925 362 7223
Fax: 925 362 7228
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.athenian.org
Nearby Schools
- Archbishop Riordan High School - 28mi / 46 km
- San Domenico School - 37mi / 60 km
- Monte Vista Christian School - 59mi / 96 km
- Santa Catalina School - 86mi / 138 km
- Midland School - 238mi / 383 km
- Dunn School - 243mi / 391 km
