High school can be an amazingly transformative and positive time. And adolescence is a period during which the teenage brain is exploding with potential. It is a period of tremendous growth, emerging capacities, and a radically changing view of the self and the world. There is a confluence of intellectual and character growth, at the same time that the dominant influence in the teen’s life is shifting from parent to peer group. At this critical juncture, the teenager’s environment is paramount for positive development. In fact, this time is so crucial to the adult that the adolescent will become that it cannot be left up to chance.
Sonoma Academy was founded in 2001 by members of the local community who perceived a gap in the educational options available in Sonoma County at that time. Seeking a rigorous, and independent, college preparatory environment and curriculum, the founders of Sonoma Academy developed the school’s mission: calling its students to be creative, ethical and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.
Since its founding, Sonoma Academy has become a premier college prep high school in Sonoma County, with students from over 80 different middle schools and from 30 different cities and towns from surrounding Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties.
Of its 275 students, about 21 percent are students of color, and 6 percent are international students from such places as Shanghai, Zurich, and Paris. About 50 percent of Sonoma Academy families make use of the nearly $3 million in flex tuition available annually.
This incredible diversity of families comes together at Sonoma Academy, sharing one central value: the importance of education and the love of learning, above all else.
Bringing diverse students together with this shared commonality results in a highly engaged, talented, and motivated peer group — 91 percent of students participate in clubs, 75 percent are involved in performance, speech and debate or music, while nearly 60 percent play at least one sport, 40 percent are involved in student leadership and 100 percent of students are college-bound.
Teens need a rich, multifaceted program to fuel their innate curiosity and drive , as well as to help emerging capacities develop. Sonoma Academy provides students with an engaging and relevant college prep curriculum with rigorous course work and stimulating homework.
Students go beyond the minimum requirements to pursue advanced studies in courses like constitutional law or economics. Nearly 50 percent of the students take six or more advanced or AP courses, while a majority of students exceed graduation requirements with four years of history, math and science.
Over 60 percent of Sonoma Academy students take calculus or higher-level math during their four years of high school. Additionally, students are able to participate in international travel programs as well as community engagement work both locally and abroad.
Because Sonoma Academy is an independent school, faculty have the freedom to innovate in the curriculum, designing fascinating courses that they teach with passion and dedication. With average class sizes of 15, and a student load of about 45 students per day (as compared with 240 students at other schools), faculty are able to work closely with students, inspiring their love of learning that will last them a lifetime.
The unique schedule not only allows students to go more deeply, it also allows our teachers to concentrate on a relatively few number of students at one time.
The environment at Sonoma Academy is deliberately collegiate. Teachers engage their students in rigorous debate and inquiry. They don’t dole out facts and ask for busywork. As a result, Sonoma Academy alumni report being extremely comfortable in their first year at college —they’ve been having that kind of scholarly debate for years.
Nestled at the base of picturesque Taylor Mountain, on a beautiful 34-acre campus, Sonoma Academy students are able to explore their interests and passions in a challenging environment that prepares them for college and life beyond.