Sonoma Academy

2500 Farmers Lane

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 04, 2019

This is the finest high school imaginable. They integrate the latest research in effective learning, have amazing teachers, and a peaceful environment with a heterodoxical approach (differences of opinion are acceptable).
Submitted by other on October 23, 2015

This school is amazing! I love the staff, families, and kids. I am feeling blessed to be a part of such an incredible community!
Submitted by other on June 30, 2015

I loved my experience at Sonoma Academy. I am currently a sophomore in college and look back at my high school experience feeling very greatful to have gone to such a great school. I think one of Sonoma Academy's greatest strengths as a school is in its teachers. They are all love their job and have the chance to bring in their own experience and creativity to their classes that some public school curriculums restrict. It was overall an excellent high school experience.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2015

Sonoma Academy has been our daughter's school for 3 years and it just keeps getting better. The school is guided by wise and caring adults who treasure their work. They seek to create a safe and challenging environment for any teenager to grow into the young adult they are meant to become. The curriculum is thoughtfully developed to meet and take students to their highest intellectual capacity without expecting a lot of busy work. On a social level, the school provides an inclusive, tolerant and non-judgemental culture. We are about to send our second daughter there in the fall. Even though our girls are very different types of students, we know SA can meet the needs of both while guiding them socially, and emotionally. Sonoma Academy does cost a pretty penny but your child will very likely have an experience that will deeply shape the rest of his or her life.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2014

Sonoma Academy has been the perfect fit for my sophomore daughter. She was fortunate to have a positive K-8 experience in a local charter Waldorf school, but by the end of her time there she was chafing for more depth and breadth in curriculum, a more diverse peer group, and more complete extracurricular offerings. Sonoma Academy has challenged, stimulated, supported, and stretched her beyond anything I could have imagined. The top-notch faculty bring out the best in her. I love the person she is becoming in the close-knit SA community. Best of all, I think she feels the same way.
Submitted by student on September 17, 2014

This school is spectacular. The teachers are engaging and interesting. The entire staff is welcoming. This school is more than just a couple of classes every day--it's a thriving community. Definitely reccomend.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2014

This is a good school, but only for certain kids. If your child is a serious student who wants to get into the best college they can, then SA is great place for them. If you have a gifted child who gets bored with the standard curriculum, look elsewhere. The latter is not a challenge this school will embrace.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2014

Contrary to what they want to believe, this school is in fact for the wealthy. There is a divide amongst middle income and above, especially in this area. Trying to come up with 20k per kid per year (this is half price tuition) and advertising that they give help to half of their students is misleading. Most middle income folks can't afford over 1k/month per kid for a great education.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

SA is the best college prep high school in the North Bay. We've experienced Catholic, public, MA/Branson... Last is currently at SA. SA college placement results are incredible. Compare SA with Newman in terms of 4 year college placement success, average SAT scores, improvement from SSAT to PSAT to SAT, college financial aid awards, etc. SA's campus is new and beautiful! SA has very small class sizes and highly accessible teachers. Kids make great peer and mentor relationships. SA's support system is wonderful. On site tutoring is available. Curriculum integrates college prep academics, extensive fine arts, and top athletics. Courses include Honors/AP, but also unique exploratory classes (2 per quarter) where kids get to experience something new in a not for grade setting. SA also has a 2 week Winter term that includes US and international travel. Very cool. Our son will be able to take 4 years of music, all the college prep courses, and play his sports. That can't happen at most schools. SA uses a flex tuition model so we pay what we can. SA doesn't have football. But if your child wants a great high school experience and go to a top 4 year college, SA is for them.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

Sonoma Academy is a school where young adults are respected, nurtured and inspired. Our daughter is thrilled with her teachers and the community of students. She wants to go to school each day. Our daughter has an insatiable desire to learn and this desire is met by teachers who challenge her and encourage her to explore new frontiers. She also participates in sports and has meet a group of respectful and responsible young women. My husband and I are thankful that we have met other parents who are interested and invested in the well rounded education of our children. Communication from the school to parents is excellent and professional. The administrative team at Sonoma Academy is outstanding.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2013

It is truly a pleasure to see our daughter leave each morning for SA motivated, happy to be going, and enjoying every aspect of her experience there. The top quality teaching and nurturing that goes on there is matched by the quality of the physical resources made available to the students. We recommend the school highly.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

We are a new family to Sonoma Academy, and we are so grateful for the individual attention our (freshman) daughter receives from her teachers. The classes are small, the teachers are invigorated and inspiring; they love to teach and it shows. They truly see each child as a valued individual and tailor the instruction and guidance toward that particular child, whatever she may need. If your child has a special interest or talent, teachers try to incorporate it into lessons and allow the child to express it. The strong emphasis on fine and performing arts is one of the reasons we chose SA, as well as their focus on international culture. Our daughter has not always loved school and she did not have perfect grades before coming to SA, so don't let that stop you from applying - they will see the special qualities that make your child an outstanding overall individual and they foster those strengths while helping to develop other areas. Our daughter loves school and she is getting great grades. I thank the teachers and the supportive administration for that. We couldn't be happier that we chose SA.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

Sonoma Academy looks at the whole child when it comes to education. The teachers are so excited to be there, that it overflows onto the students as well. It combines high academic college prep, with whole child, holistic education! The best of both to educate our future leaders, sending our kids out to be prepared for their next stage in life. I could not be more pleased, each day it only gets better and better not only for our child, but for the whole family!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

My son is a senior at SA, and it has exceeded my expectations on every level, starting with a superb, committed faculty, continuing with an outstanding head of school, amazing enrichment programs--including a 2-week mid-year break called Intersession--grade level retreats, the best performance arts program in the county and a terrific sports program for all levels of player. I absolutely love this school and believe it has helped my son become the very best he can be, ready for college (excellent, one-on-one college counseling in junior/senior year). The negative comments do not seem to ring true...the only reason not to go to this school is if your child wants a larger school experience with football games, etc.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

SA is a wonderful alternative to the rat race of our local public schools. I have one child who graduated from the school, and another who is a senior this year. The teachers are inspiring, and the school's community is a very important part of the experience. Some of the teachers and some of the kids are incredibly creative and talented, and it rubs off on everyone else. While the academic workload is much less than that in our local public high school, the level of instruction is at least as high, and the focus on quality rather than quantity of work allows the students more time to explore other interests. The administration communicates well and often, and is always available for discussion. Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful. Another aspect of the school that I don't see in any other reviews is the college admission counseling program. David Rion, who directs this program, is outstanding. He helps the students optimize their chances of getting into schools that will be a good fit, while making sure they keep the whole process in perspective.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2013

Sonoma Academy. We had very high expectations before our daughter started at SA and we have not been disappointed in any way. SA has the best academics and the best learning environment! The teachers at SA simply are amazing!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Extraordinary. My (now Junior) student is inspired by his teachers. He doesn't like the feeling of slogging through class, so shuts off media at 10 pm. The teachers write detailed evaluations of the students. It's not appropriate to share excerpts here, but it is clear they all have granular insight into what comes easily to a student (and thus should be nudged) and what is difficult (and thus should attended). Sonoma Academy is serious about preparing this generation to be effective in the world; but only because they pay very close attention to all that students navigate during their hormone-filled / where-do-I-belong? years.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2013

My son was in the 2103 graduating class at SA and was a four-year attendee. We are a first generation prep school family and the decision to send him there dis not come easy (he did not have a scholarship). I was blown away at the open house we went to and was "sold" by the emphasis on the output of the school, the students. Existing students were heavily involved in the open house and they were all solid young adults that were easy to speak with. My fondness and respect for the school only grew thereafter. The kids are encouraged to try new sports, get involved in the arts, and break out of their adolescent shells. The great thing about this school is they all do. The teachers are amazing and the facilities are state of the art. The students also have many advocates along the way that help ensure they progress to their potential. In my opinion, the true difference with SA is ALL the kids that graduate are solid citizens ready for college. Our son is currently in a competitive program at a great University and is doing very well, thanks in large part to his SA experience.
Submitted by student on October 22, 2013

I had a terrible experience with this school. Much time is spent talking about your feelings and "self-improvement". The staff is nice when you are a prospective student, but change their attitude once you actually go there. The teachers are very nice but almost too much, they try too hard to appease the parents and let chaos reign in the classroom. The humanities department is not very educational, many of the teachers do not have the slightest idea of what they are teaching and you can tell. The difficulty level is laughably low, which is good if you are someone who struggles but not so good if you actually want to learn something. The students are nice in general, but very cliquey. I transferred to a public school and was shocked at the pace they moved at, very different than at SA where it was so easy it was almost boring. This school is run by people who are more interested in making a profit than education. Nevertheless the teachers are very nice, the campus is state-of-the-art, and the view is fantastic, so it isn't all bad. But I definitely say save your money and go to a different school unless you can get a scholarship here. I did not like the way it was run.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2011

Sonoma Academy is a special place. They provide the college prep education that is so vital today, but that is only one important aspect of this school. What I feel really makes it special is the welcoming atmosphere shown to every student and family. Differences are celebrated, glimmers of creativity are nurtured, and students are free to be themselves and try new things each and every day. We are so very happy that we chose Sonoma Academy for our daughter, and that we are part of this vibrant community!