Academics

The pillars of Anacapa’s Academic Program, direct experience, community engagement, exploration, collaboration, reflection, analysis, and experimentation, are beneficial for all types of learners. Our academic class offerings are intended to foster deep subject-matter exploration, encourage student involvement and position students for college success. Anacapa’s teachers develop and implement an inspiring, relevant and engaging curriculum including honors level courses at every high school grade level.  Our curriculum is designed to support academically engaged students at various levels of proficiency and we encourage students to maximize their intellectual and emotional potential. 

Learning through Academics

Anacapa’s teachers provide an inspiring, relevant, and robust curriculum. With a focus on our global interconnectedness, Anacapa’s curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and connect learning across disciplines.

Our program is built on a simple belief: every student has strengths worth noticing, developing, and celebrating. Using a strengths-based approach to gifted education, we offer learning experiences that challenge and inspire all students through inquiry-driven, project-based learning. Students ask big questions, dig into real-world problems, collaborate, create, and share their thinking—building both academic skills and confidence along the way.

Just as important, we prioritize social and emotional well-being as part of the learning process, not an add-on. Through process-focused reflection, supportive teacher coaching, and weekly Appreciation Circles, our community intentionally highlights the strengths and contributions of every student and staff member. The result is a learning environment where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow—academically, socially, and as thoughtful citizens of their world.

Through integrated, project-based units like our Mystery Unit, students explore literature, science, history, and global studies in ways that make learning meaningful and relevant. This approach not only challenges academic skills but also deepens students’ understanding of how human stories, scientific discoveries, and cultural heritage connect across the globe.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio 5:1

Our 5-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio is the best of any secondary school in Santa Barbara County and ranks best in class nationally. With an intentionally small student body, Anacapa offers personalized attention, enabling students to explore their academic passions in depth under the guidance of deeply committed experts. We provide differentiated instruction and targeted support for gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners, including executive functioning strategies and advanced enrichment opportunities. Math is offered by level rather than grade, with tailored guidance from our Learning Specialist, Keri Hope, ensuring every student reaches their full potential. 

Faculty Advisor for Every Student

From their first week at Anacapa School, every student is partnered with a dedicated Faculty Advisor. We are proud to have a Faculty Advisor assigned to each student, ensuring they feel supported and encouraged in their academics. The advisor relationship extends far beyond academic guidance—our faculty members connect meaningfully with their advisees throughout the school year. They meet regularly and collaborate on coursework, personal passions, community involvement, and college preparation. Students benefit from added education in areas such as goal setting, time management, communication, and strategy. Our faculty, in turn, value the opportunity to truly know their students, and they meet weekly as a team to ensure that all students are staying on track and achieving their educational and personal goals.