As the 2025-2026 school year gets underway, Noozhawk’s Private & Independent School Guide is designed to help parents explore the many educational options available across Santa Barbara County.
This annual guide serves as a go-to resource for families looking for the right academic environment to support their child’s growth and success.
To provide families with meaningful insights, Noozhawk connected with representatives from local private and independent schools to share their perspectives, programs, and the latest updates from their campuses.
In this spotlight, Noozhawk spoke with Summer Foster, Admissions Director at Anacapa School to highlight what makes their school community unique.
Anacapa School
Question: What is the educational philosophy of your school?
Answer: Anacapa School’s philosophy centers on a holistic strengths-based approach that includes experiential and project-based learning with a focus on exploration, collaboration, reflection, and community engagement.
Q: Can you describe the unique aspects of your curriculum?
A: Anacapa’s curriculum is tailored to each student’s interests and strengths and features project-based assessments; immersive “Synthesis Units;” all-school outdoors expeditions; internships; an SEL-based Human Development program; and both active and art electives such as baking, sewing, surfing, hiking, and yoga. Like Maria Montessori, we believe that choice, self-direction, and physical movement are integral parts to students’ health and development.
In our middle school, we offer interdisciplinary “Unit classes” that are theme-based and combine reading and writing with social studies and science.
For example, this semester’s theme is “Mystery.” Students have been reading Sherlock Holmes, watching Alfred Hitchcock films, and engaging with projects such as learning about fingerprinting and DNA testing from the CSI unit of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Our middle school students just returned from a “Mystery Trip” to San Jose, where they visited the Winchester Mystery House and the Tech Interactive.
Our downtown Santa Barbara location allows us to offer students real-world engagement with local businesses, government offices, and nonprofits as part of our programming.
Q: What is the average class size, and how does it impact the learning experience?
A: Class sizes run from three students (our smallest academic class) to13 students (our largest academic class), which allows us to place students in the level that’s appropriate for them. Elective classes average 6-7 students per class. We work hard to create an environment where every learner has a voice, receives individualized attention, builds meaningful connections with teachers, and feels confident in taking risks.
Q: What are the qualifications and experience levels of your teaching staff?
A: Anacapa’s faculty members hold advanced degrees, teaching credentials, and bring decades of teaching experience, with specialists in areas such as creative writing, literacy and dyslexia support, middle school leadership, social and emotional learning, teaching gifted learners, ensuring a strong, diverse, and deeply supportive team of educators.
Q: What is your admissions process, and what qualities do you look for in prospective students?
A: The admissions process includes applications, shadow days, and family engagement, with first-round deadlines in early February and rolling admissions thereafter. The school seeks students who are curious, collaborative, and eager to thrive in a hands-on, close-knit learning environment.
Q: Can you explain the tuition and fees structure? Are there any scholarships or financial aid options available?
A: Tuition details are available directly from the school, but financial aid is offered based on both need and merit, with average awards covering about 60% of tuition, amounting to roughly $22,000.
Q: How does your school support students with special learning needs or exceptional talents?
A: The school employs a learning specialist for neurodivergent students, partners with educational psychologists, and provides personalized support through our Advisory Program. We also offer opportunities for advanced students to pursue their passions through project-based learning.
Q: What extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs are available to students?
A: Students can join outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and yoga, participate in athletics through the Condor League, explore electives in digital media and the arts, engage in community service, and take part in all-school outdoors trips. We also have vibrant D&D and chess clubs!
Q: How does your school incorporate technology into the learning environment?
A: We are a phone-free campus. Students’ phones live in our “phone hotel” during the academic day.
However, teachers use Google Classroom to keep track of assignments, and technology is integrated into student projects such as podcasts, blogs, and films, as well as in digital media and coding electives.
We ensure students develop strong technical and creative skills.
Q: What steps does your school take to foster a sense of community among students and families?
A: At Anacapa School, learning starts with community. We cultivate a strong sense of community through back-to-school and orientation activities, outdoor expeditions, family events such as our Welcome Potluck, and partnerships with local organizations for community service.
We have all school appreciation circles where students and staff share their appreciations. The school also hosts monthly parent coffees as well as Student Showcases three times a year. We love having parents on campus – some of them even volunteer their time and expertise to teach electives.
Q: How does your school ensure the safety and well-being of students on campus?
A: Student safety and well-being are our paramount concerns. We are continually upgrading our facilities to provide security and safety.
We nurture close personal relationships with our distinctive Advisory Program, our comprehensive social-emotional learning programming, and partnerships with local wellness organizations (such as Youthwell and Aha! to ensure every student is seen, supported, and empowered.
Q: Is there anything you would like to share that was not mentioned above?
A: It’s official! Anacapa School is adding 6th grade to its middle school beginning in the 2026–27 school year. We’re thrilled to welcome younger students into our community. Our middle school cohorts (grades 6–8 beginning in 2026–27) will remain multi-age, with each class capped at 10–12 students.
Accredited by WASC (the Western Association of School and Colleges), Anacapa School will continue to offer a curated learning environment, making it one of the most personalized schools in the region.
To learn more about Anacapa School click here!