Los Olivos, CA
A Boarding School for the Bay Area's Screen-Fatigued Teens:
No Phones.
Real Challenges.
2,860 Acres.
Since 1932, Midland has offered Bay Area teens an antidote to Silicon Valley's
screen culture: rigorous academics without digital distractions, hands-on learning
on a working ranch, and genuine responsibility. Our graduates thrive at Stanford, Berkeley, MIT, and beyond—with resilience most don't develop until adulthood.
See If Midland Is Right for Your Child
IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING TO READ?
We build curiosity, confidence, and critical skills—and instill in each student a lifelong love of learning.
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1932
Year Founded
100%
Of Our Students Board On Campus
48%
Of Our Students Are On Financial Aid
What Makes Midland School Different?
No Phones for 6-Week Terms
In the heart of Silicon Valley's backyard, your teen will discover life beyond
screens. Students hand over devices each term—no social media, no notifications,
no distractions. What emerges? "Conversations stretch, friendships deepen, mountain bikes find trails, music emerges." A genuine antidote to the Bay Area's always-on culture.
Students Lead & Belong
Through jobs and leadership roles, your teen helps keep Midland running—
cleaning, fixing, leading, and learning responsibility every step of the way.
As one Bay Area student said: "I didn't even do my laundry at home—now I
lead work crews." Real growth happens through real responsibility.
2,860 Acres of Classroom
Four hours south of San Francisco's concrete and tech campuses, your child will track watersheds, build trails, and lead wilderness expeditions. They'll learn
that problem-solving doesn't require an app—just grit, teamwork, and connection
to the land. Science happens in nature, not just on screens.
Farm-to-Table, Student-Grown
Students grow over half their own food on the 10-acre organic farm. Your child gains firsthand experience in sustainability, joins harvest days, and sees how caring for the land connects to caring for community.
85 Students, 30 Faculty — All on Campus
Your child won't get lost in the crowd. With faculty living alongside students, mentorship happens naturally — "surfing together on Saturday, better feedback on essays Monday."
Proven Path to College & Life Success
For more than 90 years, Midland graduates have thrived at Williams, Whitman, MIT, Stanford, and beyond. Colleges recognize the independence, resilience, and initiative students build here—and so do employers!
What others are saying
"Son finds himself constantly engaged"
We have a teenager who thrives on active education. Too much of typical high school looks like the same old classroom that students have been entering for years. Not Midland. With half of its classrooms open to the outdoors, a farm, an outdoor leadership, experiential learning, and a jobs program that hands students responsibility for their own campus maintenance, our son finds himself constantly engaged. As a boarding school, Midland provides the independence which many young people crave, guided by adults who know them well.
- Current Parent
"Well worth it"
I went to Midland, my daughter graduated from there, and my son is a senior. The biggest noticeable difference? A Midland grad emerges as a young adult, not dependent on mom and dad for every day life decisions. Well worth it, and amazingly affordable.
- Current Parent
"One-of-a kind high school experience"
I appreciate Midland's approach to teaching self-reliance. The jobs program and other group responsibilities teach lessons about what it means to be of service to a community. That in conjunction with the farm, ranch, and outdoor program make Midland a one-of-a kind high school experience.
- Current Parent
Remarkable College Placements, Right-Fit Matches
Yes, chopping wood leads to Williams College.
At Midland, we don't just prepare students for college admissions — we prepare them to thrive when they get there. Our graduates arrive at universities knowing how to manage their time, advocate for themselves, and take genuine ownership of their education.
The Midland difference in college readiness: Students who've led wilderness expeditions don't get overwhelmed by freshman year. Those who've managed farm crews know how to collaborate on group projects. Kids who've presented senior thesis projects to the entire community aren't intimidated by college seminars.
Recent graduates have gone on to: Williams • Whitman • UC Berkeley • University of British Columbia • Emerson • MIT • Stanford • Colorado College • Brown • UCLA
College counseling at Midland begins on day one. Over four years, we help your child discover their strengths and passions so they can step into a college that is the right match for who they are and who they’re becoming.
Place-Based & Experiential Education
Midland’s competency-based, place-driven curriculum prepares students for both college and life. These skills—ranging from craftsmanship to creating a connection to place and environment—are woven through every part of campus life, from academics to student-led activities.
Schedule a call with our Director of Admission to see if Midland School is right for your child.
“Midland has been a place to be human; to make mistakes, to grow, to develop valuable connections, and to give me the skills and experiences I need to lead a successful and impactful life."
— Tate Ewing '17, Colby College '21 BA Computer Science, Software Engineer in Seattle, WA
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT
