Dunn School

We couldn’t be happier as parents of two students at Dunn School. As parents, you hope to find an environment where your children will truly thrive—not just get by—and that’s exactly what we’ve found. Although our children are very different, each has found a strong sense of community and built meaningful friendships in a welcoming, inclusive environment. The school’s size and beautiful campus create a peaceful, safe setting where students can focus and enjoy their high school experience. They are challenged by a rigorous academic program without the intense, pressure-filled atmosphere often found at highly competitive schools. While the academic outcomes have been exceptional, what has impressed us most is the confidence, independence, and character our children have developed along the way.

As a parent, I couldn't be happier with my son's experience at Dunn. He has flourished both academically and personally. The academics are challenging and engaging, and he has found his passion in math, science, and the Innovation program. His teachers encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity while providing the individual support he needs to succeed.

The biggest difference has been the personal attention from the faculty. Every teacher truly knows my son, believes in him, and takes the time to help him grow. That mentorship has been life-changing, giving him confidence both in and out of the classroom.

He also loves the competitive athletic program and the balance between sports and rigorous academics. I highly recommend Dunn to families looking for a school where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Choosing Dunn for my daughter was one of the best decisions I could have made. She was challenged through advanced classes while also pursuing her passion for photography, design, and the visual arts. Her teachers encouraged her creativity, challenged her to do her best, and helped her develop both her artistic talent and academic confidence.

The college counseling program was exceptional. The guidance she received throughout the college search and application process was personalized, thoughtful, and incredibly effective. She earned admission to outstanding colleges and arrived on campus well prepared for the academic rigor and independence of college life.

Dunn gave my daughter the confidence, skills, and preparation to thrive. I highly recommend it to families looking for a school that truly prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Having children in both Dunn’s middle school and upper school has given our family a unique perspective on the strength of the program. What has impressed us most is how intentionally Dunn supports students at every stage of their development. The middle school balances academic rigor, mentorship, and opportunities for self-discovery, while the upper school encourages students to think critically, lead confidently, and prepare for life beyond graduation.

One of Dunn’s greatest strengths is its size. Students are truly known by their teachers, advisors, coaches, and dorm parents, and those relationships matter. Programs in experiential education, entrepreneurship, speech and debate, the arts, athletics, and innovation allow students to pursue their passions in meaningful ways.

As parents, we have watched our children grow academically and in confidence, character, and curiosity within a genuinely close-knit community.

My family has been extremely happy with our experience at Dunn School. My child has found the academic work challenging, but the faculty's support has been very strong. The beautiful location and focus on Whole Student Education have enriched the experience and provided a good sense of balance. The Entrepreneurship and Investing classes have been the highlight of our son's experience as well.

A half-hour drive from Santa Barbara, California, in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley on the Pacific coast, lies Dunn School, an excellent boarding high school. My child enrolled in the high school in 2016. During four years of study, the high quality of education allowed him to choose courses he loved, and the rich extracurricular activities helped him develop a positive, outgoing personality. The kind and friendly teachers always considered the students' best interests. All these efforts fully prepared him for university studies. We are grateful to Dunn School for his education and upbringing. Looking back today, it was such a correct decision for him to attend Dunn ten years ago.

As a parent who once lived in Shanghai with my child and later moved back to California, I wholeheartedly recommend Dunn School to families in China. When we moved back to California from Shanghai, my daughter joined Dunn School as a middle school student. Initially, we were a bit worried about whether she would adapt, but Dunn's warm, family-like community instantly dispelled our concerns. The teachers and students here are incredibly enthusiastic and inclusive; my daughter felt meticulous care and acceptance from day one, and very quickly integrated into this big family.
What impresses me most about Dunn School is their unwavering commitment to and pride in their "Whole Student Education" philosophy. At Dunn, academic excellence is just the foundation; the school is dedicated to shaping the child holistically. Under the school's careful guidance, my daughter not only achieved excellent academic results but also underwent comprehensive development and transformation in emotional wellness, physical readiness, social responsibility, and moral courage. She became more confident and independent here, developing a sound character.
During the crucial application season, the school's college counseling team provided highly targeted and meticulous professional support, helping her clarify her direction and discover her strengths. With the school's assistance, my daughter was successfully admitted to UC Irvine in 2020, graduated in 2024, and immediately secured a position at a globally leading investment company, embarking on a highly promising career.
My daughter's growth experience at Dunn School laid a solid and warm foundation for her entire life. If you are looking for a school that not only focuses on academics but also truly cares about a child's physical and mental well-being and helps them unlock their infinite potential, Dunn School is definitely the best choice. We hope our personal experience can provide a valuable reference for Chinese families planning overseas education!

We are parents of students currently attending Dunn School. Overall, we are very satisfied with the school.

The school's teachers are highly professional and responsible; not only do they have excellent teaching skills, but they also genuinely care about the students' lives and growth. The curriculum is well-designed, and homework is assigned appropriately, effectively helping students consolidate knowledge without overburdening them. The school's daily management is well-organized, the campus atmosphere is positive and safe, and students have harmonious relationships, fostering a strong sense of community.

The only area we hope the school can improve is the variety of food options in the cafeteria. Currently, there are very few Asian cuisine choices, which can be a challenge for Chinese children. It would be much better if the selection were richer and more diverse.

In summary, Dunn School is an institution with solid teaching quality and management standards. With dedicated teachers and a safe environment, it is highly suitable for families who wish for their children to receive a high-quality secondary education in the United States.

The school management is very good, very friendly to international students, teachers are very responsible, and classmates get along very well.

Dunn School

1. The school was founded in 1957, located in Los Olivos, California, a 30-minute drive from Santa Barbara, a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles, 20 minutes from the beach, and surrounded by 2 million acres of forest.
2. Featured Programs: Leadership Program, Outdoor Education, Enrichment Program, Mini-Term Program, Entrepreneurship Program.
3. The school designates one week each year as a "mini-term," allowing students to participate in themed activities such as hiking, ski trips, and volunteer teaching.
4. Enrichment Program: Aims to help students challenge themselves and provide them with ample opportunities to develop new skills. The program lasts approximately 5 weeks, with each class being one and a half hours long. It includes creative writing, robotics, photography and graphic design, genome sequencing, and more.
5. Entrepreneurship Program: Aims to provide students with opportunities to improve their business, communication, and leadership skills. Students manage the Earwi coffee shop, research different investment opportunities, and manage and invest profits.
6. Chinese students have graduated from institutions such as the University of California, Irvine; University of California, San Diego; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and others.

Each tutor is responsible for 6 students, meeting with them weekly. At Dunn Middle School, every student's life is fulfilling and enriching, with a wide array of colorful club activities available for students to participate in after their busy academic life. Additionally, all students are required to participate in non-competitive sports activities and arts and cultural activities.

Dunn School was founded in 1957, offering grades 6-12, with boarding available for grades 8-12. The school is located in Southern California, near Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
• A distinctive program at the school is its Outdoor Education program: utilizing California's wilderness and coastal advantages for outdoor teaching.
• Leadership Program: Each student is paired with an advisor for leadership development courses.
• Entrepreneurship Program: Students independently operate the campus coffee shop, Earwig Café, managing profits and investment portfolios. Dunn's Entrepreneurship Program is highly successful; the student-run Earwig Café generates over $10,000 in annual profits. Students won the Santa Barbara Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Competition through this project. This program provides students with a great sense of accomplishment and fuels their passion for becoming future entrepreneurs.

Dunn School is a boarding school located in California, approximately a 30-minute drive from Santa Barbara, spanning 55 acres. The school is 20 minutes from the beach and surrounded by 2 million acres of forest. Academically, this school is considered upper-middle tier, with 9th-grade application requirements of TOEFL 85+ and SSAT 2000+.

School Features:

1. Featured sports programs include: Swimming, Surfing

2. Signature programs include: Leadership Program, Entrepreneurship Program, Outdoor Education Program, STEM

3. Academic support: Provides 1-on-1 personalized academic tutoring programs

4. Advanced sports facilities include 6 tennis courts and 4 sports fields; the school's fencing team has won the Central Coast High School Fencing Championship for two consecutive years.

5. Entrepreneurship Program: Students independently operate the campus coffee shop and manage profits and investment portfolios.

6. Outdoor Education Program: Utilizes California's wilderness and coastal advantages for outdoor instruction.

• 【Geographic Location】Southern California, independent boarding school, near Santa Barbara and Los Angeles
• 【College Admissions】100% acceptance to four-year universities
• 【Arts Programs】Music, art, dance, drama
• 【Sports Programs】Featured sports programs include: swimming, surfing, fencing
• 【Special Programs】Leadership, entrepreneurship program, outdoor education, STEM
• 【Academic Support】Offers 1-on-1 personalized academic tutoring program

The teaching system is very suitable for international students. In the first semester, the school will focus on cultivating students' English proficiency to ensure that students do not encounter language problems in their subsequent studies. A well-rounded school with excellent STEM courses and humanities programs. Students face relatively high academic pressure, and the curriculum is quite intensive. A traditional powerhouse in arts, offering a wide variety of art courses for students to choose from. Music is a popular art course at the school. The school is filled with various harmonious musical sounds, creating a very rich musical atmosphere. Not only does it emphasize the school's stage performance abilities, but it also has very high requirements for students' basic music theory, offering extensive music theory courses. A traditional sports powerhouse with very rich and professional sports hardware facilities. Swimming, surfing, fencing, and tennis are popular sports courses at the school. Offers a wide range of outdoor sports activities, such as mountain biking and rock climbing.