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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Our campus dormitories offer a safe and fully supportive environment, supervised by resident counselors. These dorm parents live in adjacent apartments, and are responsible for the well-being of each student. Parents and students are given a list of dorm needs before the beginning of a school term.
Both Southwestern Academy campuses offer:
Our kitchens offer students a delicious, healthy diet. The menus are professionally planned with variety and nutritional balance in mind, and
change on a regular cycle. Teachers and staff members eat family-style
with the students. Our dining program includes:
We’re looking for intelligent, active young people who are ready to participate in the school’s varied activities and classes. We also welcome your application if you’re not experiencing success or fulfillment in school, but are willing to try to do better work with our support. We accept applications year-round for entrance when space permits.
We invite you to find out more about Southwestern Academy. The best way to get to know Southwestern Academy is by visiting. Students and parents can walk the campus, see a class in action, talk to other students, and even visit overnight.
Southwestern Academy accepts applications throughout the year. Our Admissions Office accepts students for entrance any time space is available.
To apply, review and complete the Southwestern application. You can either apply online , or you can download an application to print out, complete, and mail to us.
We also require:
On acceptance, the application contract reserves space in the school. Applicants for the fall are normally selected the prior spring as space is sharply limited, particularly for day students.
International Student Visa:
The I-20 application form for a student visa to enter the United States is sent by Southwestern when a student is accepted and has paid tuition.
Southwestern graduates attend universities around the world, here you can find the most recent college list from our Class of 2021.
Our in-depth college counseling helps match students to the right schools and prepares them for the challenges of university life. Our college and university counselor coordinates the search process with the assistance of the heads of each academic area.
Support also includes:
Affordability
Families who are concerned that affording Southwestern Academy may be beyond their means are encouraged to consider applying for financial aid or participating in one of the payment plans offered by the school. A merit scholarship is also available for qualifying students in grades 9-12.
Payment Plans
Southwestern is committed to employing flexible arrangements for families who need it to pay for tuition and fees. We exam the unique circumstances of your family situation and recommend a plan that makes sense for all parties. If a payment plan is needed to make attending Southwestern affordable please let our staff know of your concerns and we in turn will do our best to work with you.
Examples of payment plans that have worked in the past include:
Financial Aid
Southwestern Academy is committed to being affordable and accessible to applicants who are US Citizens , regardless of their financial circumstances (Financial Aid is not offered to international students). In the 2020-2021 school year, 28 percent of Southwestern Academy’s families received tuition assistance. The Financial Aid Committee grants these limited awards based on a family’s individual demonstrated financial need and the student’s qualifications.