Viewbook | Midland School

MIDLAND SCHOOL provides a unique college preparatory boarding school experience to a diverse student body. Through study and work, it teaches the value of a lifetime of learning, self-reliance, simplicity, responsibility to community and the environment, and a love for the outdoors.

Midland School, located on a ranch at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County, has been the leader of place-based education since 1932. Everything we do from the courses we choose to teach to how we maintain our campus to the way we feed ourselves originates from an intentional curriculum that focuses not only on college preparatory classes, but also on leadership, community, and stewardship.

Our scale empowers students with authentic leadership opportunities , provides highly personalized learning , and inspires the pursuit of intellectual passions . At Midland, over half of our students receive generous financial assistance to attend, and the depth of our boarding experience facilitates both top-tier college admissions and future success.

CAMPUS LIFE

Rustic yet modern student cabins are set against the backdrop of the Los Padres National Forest. Living and learning spaces were designed to embrace California’s weather and affinity for indoor-outdoor living and learning . Hammocks sway in the breeze from porches, and native California plants provide shade and cozy places to study around the campus.

2,860-ACRE CLASSROOM

35 miles of hiking trails

Midland’s 2,860-acre campus serves as our classroom, laboratory, recreation center and place of refuge. Through a partnership with the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, the school is committed to protect and maintain the area’s unique array of habitats and species. Students spend time on the property exploring , conducting research , hiking with friends, horseback riding and more.

12 miles of horseback trails

student-led overnight camping trips

“ Midland guided our son to grow into not only a thoughtful and smart human, but also an empathetic steward of this earth and an empathetic citizen of the world.”

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

“Anchored in seven core competencies, m idland’s curriculum prepares students to succeed not simply in college but in a life of their own design. Through rigorous academics in an intimate boarding school setting, students develop the resourcefulness and resilience to turn challenges into opportunities and the self-discipline to be lifelong self-directed learners. Our experiential and place-based curriculum nurtures students’ curiosity for and connection to the spaces we inhabit. By the time they graduate, Midland students are equipped with the skills necessary to navigate the world and to also change it for the better.”

Ellie Moore Dean of Academics

Connection to Place and Environment

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Being of Use

Craftsmanship

Literacy and Voice

Critical Thinking and Analysis Problem Solving

DEDICATED FACULTY

“At Midland, classes are rigorous due to the depth of study and conversation. Students are fortunate to work, live, and learn with faculty who provide meaningful and engaging lessons with a focus on experiential education.”

José Juan Ibarra ’87 Dean of Students and Athletic Director

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

“v ibrant, place-based learning is deeply woven into the fabric of everything we do here at Midland. As part of our jobs program, students blast music in the dish house as they scrub pots and pans at meal times; the horse crew wakes up early each morning to feed the herd; the farm crew picks fresh lettuce each day for the salad bar; and on most weekends you’ll find students leading other students on hikes and overnight camping trips out on the property. Here at Midland we know that meaningful work helps our students make meaning of their lives and this is one of the true gifts of a Midland education.”

Dan Susman Dean of Experiential Learning

AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

i n a community that accepts you just as you are, being true to yourself — and perhaps exploring the unknown parts of who you might become is welcomed and encouraged. Here at Midland, students of various backgrounds and identities come together to form a community and foster belonging . Without the added pressures of social media and online self-performance, Midlanders can slowly evolve and grow into the humans they’re meant to be, rather than the ones society tells them they should be.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

authentic leadership opportunities are a hallmark of a Midland education. Whether that’s heading a job crew, becoming a prefect, leading the horse crew, or becoming a Midland Steward outdoor leader, Midlanders have opportunities to actually lead one another and gain real world experience that serves them in their life beyond Midland. There is not another high school that gives their students so many authentic opportunities for success and failure both of which are crucial for learning. Midland is a place where students learn to lead nurtured by their peers and caring adults preparing them for success in the world beyond.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Prefect

Job Head

Steward (Outdoor Leader)

Trail Boss (Horsemanship)

Club Leader

Student Council

Newspaper Editor

GENUINE RESPONSIBILITY

“m idland’s tightly knit community is based on authentic contributions from all members to make it run and thrive. Because we all take responsibility for our jobs on campus, we share a bond and take pride in creating a functional community together. I also get to know my students, not only through the classroom, but also as we sweep floors, eat dinner, play sports, take hikes, make music, and more.”

“The jobs program teaches you responsibility and a feeling of being needed . My favorite part about jobs is doing dish house with music blasting, singing on the top of our lungs and feeling good about the amount of dishes we have just cleaned.”

“Students get the best preparation for life by taking on responsibilities in the community. Everyone that comes to Midland joins a community and each of us have a direct impact on one another. The animals, the land and the community can hold a mirror up in front of us giving us authentic feedback on how we move through this world. That is real world preparation in a safe supportive environment.”

Genevieve Herrick ’97 Spanish and Humanities Faculty

Regina Butala Director of Horse Programs and Director of Rangeland Management and Conservation

Trace ’25 Student

in person, They not busy Students photos and secondary interactions as through which

INTENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

“The community at Midland is committed to being simultaneously unplugged yet connected . Our goal is to help students understand what true connectivity is. Instead of spending time consuming media depicting others’ experiences, we want students to actually go out on the property and have genuine experiences for themselves. Students can stay connected to the network and learn the skills they need for navigating the digital world, but we find that removing that instant access to the digital world in the palm of their hands encourages students to socialize more, get outdoors, and build lasting connections.”

Phil Hasseljian Director of IT and Facilities

“ Not having cell phones is very freeing, and it’s a good way to connect with the world around you. It’s really beneficial for physical health, mental health and living your teenage life to the fullest.”

— Daisy ’23

LEARNING AND LEADING

“r elational skills , emotional intelligence , collaboration , critical thinking , and leadership are all skills that are going to be needed moving forward. Future learners, leaders and workers are going to need to be able to bridge the gap between what can be quickly and artificially outsourced and what benefits humanity.”

Hannah Nelson Head of School

important dates!

APPLICATION PROCESS

We encourage any family considering Midland to come see our campus for yourself! c ampus tours , student shadow days and virtual tours are available.

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

w e believe that a m idland education should be accessible to families of all economic means. As a community, we remain committed to enrolling an economically diverse student body.

Over half of our student body receives need-based financial assistance, totaling over $1.75 million annually. Awards range from several thousand dollars to nearly the full cost of tuition and are given to families from a broad range of income levels. to learn more about financial assistance , contact Cierra Rickman, Director of Admission & Advancement, at crickman@midland-school.org or (805) 688-5114 x114