WHY ATTEND BOARDING SCHOOL?

Living on campus is an important part of your educational experience here at Southwestern.  As you live with classmates from around the world, you’ll learn more about other cultures and expand your horizons—and have lots of fun! There is always someone around to hang out with, help with that math problem, or lend a listening ear when you need one. In our dorms and in our classrooms, lifelong friendships are made.

Boarding schools receive high marks from their students. Recent research shows boarding schools deliver big benefits. 

The survey also found that, compared to day students, boarding students:

• Devote more time to homework and extracurricular activities
• (and significantly less time watching TV)
• Spend more time with teachers outside the classroom
• Learn how to set goals and budget time
• Practice self-discipline and responsibility
• Learn to act and think independently
• Develop leadership skills

In fact, the research study cited 78% of boarding school graduates say they were very well prepared for the non-academic aspects of college life, such as independence, social life, and time management as opposed to 36% of private day school students.

YOU BELONG AT SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY

Here, you can reach your highest potential, participate in sports and activities, and make lifelong friendships. Our students study on two picturesque and complementary campuses in San Marino, California, and Rimrock, Arizona.

Southwestern offers two distinct environments, both of them scenic and peaceful.  You may choose your campus. Or, depending on availability, you may spend a week, a month, or a semester at the other campus without missing any classes—your studies are coordinated between the two campuses.

San Marino
Located in Southern California, ten miles from downtown Los Angeles, the San Marino campus is set in a safe, upscale suburb with all the exciting opportunities of a vibrant big city nearby.

Beaver Creek Ranch
In northern Arizona, Southwestern Academy is 12 miles from the city of Sedona, an international tourist destination. Set in a stunning redrock canyon, this campus is a nature lover’s paradise.

At Southwestern Academy:

• A rigorous curriculum prepares students for college
• A supportive, caring community makes every student feel included
• Small class sizes offer personal attention
• An intensive ESL Program teaches English quickly
• Our dedicated faculty inspire students
• Two distinctive campuses provide beautiful settings
• Extracurricular activities build well-rounded students
• The international student body promotes multi-cultural understanding

SMALL CLASSES

In classes of 8 to 12 students, each student benefits from personalized attention. It’s the key to unlocking your potential, whether you’re a highly motivated learner or a bright student with good capabilities who could be doing better. Classes are grouped by achievement rather than age, so students learn at their own pace.

Caring, Dedicated Faculty
Our dedicated teachers work diligently with students and take the extra time as needed to help each one succeed. They teach students, not just lessons.

College Preparation
All of our students go to college. Southwestern prepares you— not simply to be accepted into college, but to excel there. Our students develop solid study habits, time management and self-discipline.

ESL Program
We offer an intensive, three-level program to teach English as a Second Language, with some transitional classes in different subjects. Once students pass all three levels, they enter our mainstream classes.

Postgraduate Year
If you need more time after graduation to advance your skills to the university level, Southwestern offers a customized Postgraduate year.

PSAT Information

The results of the PSAT results are in. A copy of the PSAT results will be held on file here at Southwestern Academy. An additional copy has been given to the student along with the test booklets.

Please take a moment to review student’s test scores. If you have any questions regarding the scores, or how to interpret them please feel free to contact the Dean's office.

The selection index is especially helpful to read. A zero can be added to the end of the selection index score to estimate what the student’s potential SAT score might be. For example if the PSAT selection index is a 150 that would be the equivalent of 1500 on the SAT.

The PSAT is a practice test, at it should be noted that students scores are not shared with any college, university, or other institution. The PSAT is only for families, students and Southwestern Academy. The scores are private.

The PSAT’s are helpful for the following reasons:

1. HIGHER SAT SCORES: The PSAT prepares students for the SAT. Students who take the PSAT average 120 points higher on the SAT.
2. FREE MONEY: PSAT takers are entered into scholarship and recognition programs. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions as well as other programs.
3. PLANS FOR COLLEGE: Students who take the PSAT get free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized online college and career planning kit that helps students search for colleges, explore majors and careers.
4. FREE INFORMATION: Free information about admissions and financial aid from colleges, universities and scholarship programs will be sent to you.
5. IMPROVEMENT: This is what it is all about! Students get a comprehensive, personalized report about test performance. This will tell you exactly which questions you missed, and you can look back in your test booklet. This is valuable information.

We encourage all students to make every effort to improve their PSAT scores. They are the best indication of how the student might do on the SAT’s.

OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY

On our small campuses, all students participate, contribute, and belong.

International Outlook
You’ll arrive at Southwestern as a citizen of your country, and leave as a citizen of the world.  As you interact with students from different cultures, you’ll gain a new perspective and make treasured friendships that reach across international borders. 

Fulfilling Activities
Southwestern offers dozens of opportunities beyond schoolwork. You may be active in clubs, create art and music, participate in student government, join our sports teams, and donate your time in community service.

Special Events and Field Trips
Students celebrate a number of special events, and field trips are regularly scheduled to take advantage of the learning opportunities in the area.