Our Tour Guides

Our students are true Thacher experts. Here, this year's head tour guides discuss favorite classes, boarding school life, and what to know before joining Thacher’s unique community.

    • Sienna '27

    • Henry '27

    • Erin '27

Meet Sienna

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Where are you from?

    I’m from Mill Valley, CA, just north of San Francisco in the Bay Area. I grew up surrounded by redwoods, hiking trails, and the ocean, so moving to Ojai was similar in some ways, filled with natural beauty, and different in others. Even though I miss home at times, Thacher has become a second home for me.

  • Favorite class and why?

    My favorite class is my math class because my teacher is incredibly supportive and always makes sure everyone feels comfortable asking questions. The class has a really fun dynamic, and there’s a great balance between working hard and enjoying being together. It’s one of the classes that I genuinely look forward to attending.

  • What has surprised you most about Thacher? 

    What surprised me most about Thacher is that EDTs (extra day trips) are actually really fun! Before coming here, I honestly thought they would be something everyone just had to do, but they ended up being some of my most memorable experiences at school. If you go into them with a good attitude, they’re a great way to challenge yourself, try new things, and make friendships with people you might not normally spend much time with.

  • Favorite place on campus?

    My favorite place on campus is the gym after community dinners. The whole student body gathers there dressed up, and the space fills with energy, laughter, and school spirit and we come together to support whatever team is competing. It’s one of those moments that reminds me how connected the Thacher community is and how special it feels to be part of it.

  • What would you tell your 8th grade self thinking about going to Thacher?

    I would tell my 8th-grade self to slow down and appreciate how magical freshman year is. The horse program, especially, creates experiences and friendships that become some of your favorite memories. I would also tell her not to worry so much about fitting in because the people around her will quickly become like family.

Meet Henry

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Where are you from?

    I’m originally from Chicago, IL, but since coming to Thacher, my family has moved to Santa Barbara, CA.

  • Favorite class and why?

    My favorite class is English IIIH. It’s an English class you take in junior year, which explores the different time periods of American literature. Although this course is very difficult due to high standards, I left the class feeling a lot more confident in my writing than when I started.

  • What has surprised you most about Thacher?

    During the admission process, you will definitely hear about the genuineness of the community and the culture here on campus, and what surprised me most is how accurate those statements really are. Every single aspect of the school is designed to create the best possible community, and it’s truly special to see how kind and genuine everyone who attends Thacher is.

  • Favorite place on campus?

    Anyone who knows me well may say this is a boring answer, but I love the baseball field. I spend a lot of time down there enjoying the beautiful Ojai weather year-round and practicing surrounded by mountains and a view of the valley.

  • What would you tell your 8th-grade self, thinking about going to Thacher?

    I would tell myself that it is all going to work out. After I committed to enrolling at Thacher, I second-guessed my decision for the whole summer leading up to my freshman year. However, within the first 15 minutes of arriving on campus and meeting my classmates, I quickly found that worry was unnecessary.

Meet Erin

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, California, 93023
Tel: 805-646-4377 Fax: 805-646-9490 Email: info@thacher.org 
Thacher is committed to maintaining an atmosphere of respect and dignity free from harassment. Our school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or any other characteristics protected by state or federal law in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance, and athletic and other school-administered programs, or any other basis in law.