Midland School

Midland School is a small coeducational boarding high school in Los Olivos, California, set on a 2,860-acre ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. With fewer than 100 students, it is one of the most intentionally small boarding schools in the country. The college preparatory program is built around study, work, and outdoor life — students chop their own firewood, care for livestock, and maintain the campus alongside their academic load.

Teaching at Midland School looks different from a typical independent school post. Faculty live on the ranch, advise students, and share in the work program that defines daily life. Class sizes are tiny, which means teachers design courses around the students in front of them rather than around a standardized syllabus. Spanish is the language offered, and humanities, sciences, math, and arts faculty round out the academic program.

Compensation includes on-campus housing, meals during the school term, and a benefits package typical of established boarding schools. Housing on a working ranch in Santa Barbara County carries real value in a region where rental costs are steep. The school reported roughly $8.3 million in revenue and $30.7 million in net assets in 2023, with fundraising growth above 30 percent — signs of a stable financial base.

Midland School hires teaching faculty, dorm and outdoor program staff, ranch and facilities crew, and admissions and advancement roles. Candidates drawn to environmental stewardship, simplicity, and close mentorship will find the setting unusually aligned with their values.