About

Athenian at a Glance




What We Offer

The Athenian School believes the best way to master academic subjects is to experience their application first hand. In our rigorous academic program, you and other talented students from the East Bay and around the world will immerse yourselves deeply in coursework, inspiring each other to think critically and collaborate as global citizens.

Athenian faculty are noted for expertise in their subjects, enthusiasm for teaching, dynamic classes, multiple roles on campus, and strong connection with students. Many have advanced degrees and bring a wealth of real-life experience to the classroom. Athenian faculty are published authors, Peace Corps volunteers, lab scientist, marathon runners, conference presenters, wilderness first responders, business owners, and former college professors. 

Athenian offers a beautiful and well-equipped 75-acre campus of oak-covered hills at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, just 32 miles east of San Francisco. The Athenian School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools. 

Athenian buses transport students to and from many East Bay communities (from Berkeley/Oakland to Pleasanton/ Livermore), meeting the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) at four stations. 

The Admission Committee seeks students who bring a strong academic record, show readiness for Athenian’s rigorous curriculum, embrace our mission and programs, and contribute positively to our community of learners. The Committee considers the whole student, including grades, writing, student statements, a parent questionnaire, teacher recommendations, and a student visit.




Distinctive Features

  • Middle School Focus Days energize learning with challenging and engaging projects and activities. 

  • The Athenian experience is international, with students enrolled from around the world and opportunities to spend time outside the United States through exchanges, community service projects, and conferences. 

  • Athenian practices democracy as students share their ideas and are involved in the decisions which affect them. 

  • Every student has an opportunity to learn design and engineering in our Carter Innovation Studio (engineering and design classes, robotics, programming, and more). 

  • The Athenian Wilderness Experience, required in grade 11, builds teamwork and confidence for college and life. 



Our Student Body

List of 3 items.

  • Boarding Students

       • 58 Boarding Students from around the country and the world attend Athenian

       • International and domestic students join in a cross-cultural boarding experience.

       • Recent international students have represented more than 13 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong (China SAR), Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Korea, and Taiwan.

       • Recent domestic boarding students have attended from throughout the Bay Area, California and the United States (typically from the West).

  • Day Students

    477 day students come from throughout the East Bay to attend Athenian.

       • 46% from the local area (Alamo, Danville, Diablo and San Ramon)
       • 13% from Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda
       • 12% from Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore
       • 10% from Oakland, Berkeley, and Castro Valley
       • 9% from Walnut Creek and Concord
       • 10% from other Bay Area communities
     
    Note: A greater number of students attend the Upper School from the Oakland/Berkeley area.

  • Diversity

    The Athenian student body exhibits a rich variety of ethnic, cultural, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

       • 64% of the student body are students of color: Black, Asian, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino, Indian/Native American, Indian or Middle Eastern, or multiracial.

       • A $4.2 million budget allows 26% of the student body to pay less than maximum tuition ensuring socioeconomic diversity.



List of 4 items.

  • 13

    13 countries are represented in our international student body. 



  • 26%

    We are committed to making The Athenian School as accessible as possible to a wide range of families. Currently, 26 percent of Athenian students pay less than the maximum tuition.

  • 535

    Athenian's student body is comprised of 170 Middle School students and 365 Upper School students. 

  • 64%

    Sixty-four percent of the current student body self-identify as other than White: African, African-American, Asian, Asian-American, South Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Indian/Native American, Middle Eastern, or multiracial. 
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