Located at 5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd in Los Olivos, CA, Midland School stands as a remarkable example of what an intentional community boarding school can achieve. More than a traditional academic environment, Midland is a living model of purpose, sustainability, and authentic connection—a place where students step into a world rooted in simplicity, responsibility, and meaningful engagement. 🌄📚
For generations, Midland has shaped young people through experiential learning, community collaboration, and a deep connection to the natural world. Its 2,860-acre ranch campus provides the perfect setting for an education centered not only on academic excellence but on character, leadership, and intentional living. 🌱💡
🌟 What Sets an Intentional Community School Apart?
Intentional community education means that the school isn’t just a place where students live—it’s a place where they actively contribute, collaborate, and take ownership of their shared environment. At Midland, this philosophy guides everything from academics to daily routines.
🔧 1. Students Help Run the Community
Every Midland student takes part in the responsibilities that keep the campus thriving. From chopping firewood to assisting in horse care, from farming to maintaining trails, daily jobs connect students to the land and to each other.
This shared labor builds confidence, teaches practical skills, and fosters an authentic sense of contribution. 💪🌾
🌍 2. Sustainability is Embedded in Daily Life
Midland’s commitment to environmental stewardship isn’t a curriculum topic—it is a campus-wide lifestyle. Students experience:
🌞 Solar-powered infrastructure
🥕 Food grown on campus
🔥 Wood-fired heating they help manage
🚰 Water conservation practices
♻️ Minimal-waste living
These daily habits cultivate a deep understanding of ecological responsibility and thoughtful living.
🤝 3. A Culture of Connection and Trust
Because Midland is small and community-driven, students build strong relationships with peers and faculty alike. Teachers live on campus, serving not just as instructors but as mentors, advisors, and guides.
This close-knit environment encourages communication, mutual respect, and personal accountability. ❤️
📚 Academic Excellence Fueled by Real-World Learning
Midland’s hands-on approach enhances every aspect of its academic program. The school’s rigorous curriculum challenges students to think critically while applying their knowledge in practical and meaningful ways.
📖 Humanities Rooted in Inquiry
Students dive into rich literature, thoughtful discussion, and analytical writing, exploring perspectives that broaden their worldview. Midland’s natural setting inspires reflection, creativity, and conversation.
🔬 Sciences Connected to the Landscape
Biology, chemistry, and environmental science come alive through field studies, ecological monitoring, and outdoor labs. Students learn directly from the ecosystem around them—the hills, oak woodlands, grasslands, and wildlife. 🌿🔍
🎨 Artistic Expression Encouraged
Art studios, ceramics, woodworking, and creative writing provide outlets for self-expression. With fewer digital distractions, imagination and creativity flourish naturally. 🎨✨
🌄 Daily Life at Midland: Simple, Purposeful, Connected
Midland’s lifestyle emphasizes balance, mindfulness, and adventure—elements that help students grow into capable, resilient young adults.
🥾 Outdoor Leadership & Adventure
Students participate in backpacking trips, wilderness exploration, and seasonal expeditions that challenge them physically and mentally. They develop leadership, teamwork, and self-reliance while exploring the surrounding mountains and valleys.
🔥 Building Self-Reliance
Midland students learn to do things many teens never experience:
Light their own wood stoves
Repair outdoor structures
Grow food
Care for animals
Maintain trails
These skills cultivate independence and pride in one’s work.
🗣️ Community Meetings & Shared Decision-Making
Weekly gatherings help students engage in leadership and communal responsibility. Everyone has a voice, and everyone is empowered to help shape the culture of the school.
🌱 Why Families Choose an Intentional Community Boarding School
Midland appeals to families who want their children to develop strong academic abilities alongside life skills that last long after graduation.
✔️ A Healthy Relationship with Technology
Midland uses technology with intention rather than excess, helping students build focus, presence, and balanced digital habits.
✔️ Values-Driven Education
Students learn integrity, hard work, responsibility, and respect through everyday life—not just through lessons.
✔️ Personal Growth Through Experience
From academic challenges to physical tasks, Midland students learn who they are and what they are capable of.
✔️ A Safe, Supportive Environment
The community’s structure ensures that students feel supported, connected, and guided.
📍 Visit Midland School and Discover Intentional Learning in Action
There is no substitute for experiencing Midland in person—walking the trails, meeting students, talking with teachers, and witnessing the harmony between academics, nature, and community.
If you are exploring a boarding school that offers purpose, clarity, connection, and challenge, Midland School welcomes you. 🌟
👉 Visit us online:
🔗 https://midland-school.org/
📞 Phone: 805-688-5114
📍 Address: 5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441, United States
Come experience a school where community, learning, and nature come together to create an education that truly matters. 🌿✨
