Frequently Asked Questions

List of 15 frequently asked questions.

• What is Sage Hill School?

  In the mid-1990s, a small group of visionary community leaders and enthusiastic parents conceived the idea to build a nonprofit, non-denominational, independent secondary school in Orange County. Their intention was to develop a school that would inspire innovative thinking, nurture creative thought and embrace diversity. Today, a Sage Hill School education provides the best possible opportunity for students to not only prepare for college, but to reach their own greatest potential and have a positive influence on the world. 
  
  

  Read more about our School History >> 

• What does being an independent school mean?

  An independent school isn’t a free-wheeling place where anything goes; independence means that our school is a not-for-profit institution that is not run by either the government (like a public school) or a religious entity (like a parochial school). We are governed by a Board of Trustees that ensures our programs and practices uphold our mission. Ultimately, as an independent school, we are accountable to our students and their parents.
  
  Families choose Sage Hill because we offer an exciting high school journey that prepares our students for future success. As an independent school, we are able, within the framework of our mission, to implement ideas quickly. We are responsive to community input and can continuously evolve to best meet the needs of our students.
  

• Is Sage Hill accredited?

  Sage Hill School has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 2003. Sage Hill is also accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Accreditation acknowledges the excellence upon which the school is built: a clear and compelling mission; a rigorous college preparatory curriculum; excellence in teaching; a motivated and diverse student body; and a state-of-the-art learning environment. In addition, accreditation certifies — to colleges, to other schools and to the general public — that an institution is successfully accomplishing its mission; has met rigorous standards for planning, organization, curriculum, assessment and student support; is providing resources adequate to deliver the school’s programs; and is consistently seeking self-improvement.
  
  Read more about accreditation >>

• Can anyone apply?

  Sage Hill School seeks students of character and intelligence from diverse ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin in the administration of our policies and programs.
  
  Given our competitive admission process, we strongly recommend that students wishing to attend Sage Hill School for high school apply for ninth grade. Open spots for transfer students in 10th, 11th or 12th grades are extremely limited.
  
  If your child has not completed three (3) full years of schooling in the United States for the 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, one of the English proficiency tests will need to be taken and passed with our minimum score requirements as indicated by clicking here.  If your child has completed three full years of schooling in the United States for the years stated above, please submit a copy of report cards or transcripts for the last three years as soon as possible to verify the child's eligibility.

• How do you apply to Sage Hill?

  There are three main steps to the application process: (1) Submit an online application; (2) come to Sage Hill’s campus for an interview; and (3) register for and take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or SSAT.
  
  Our application process begins September 1.
  
  Read more about Sage Hill’s application process >>

• What is the curriculum like at Sage Hill?

  Our small, seminar-style classes create a supportive, student-centered learning environment, and with more than 30 AP, accelerated and post-AP courses, we offer ample opportunities for students to challenge themselves with college-level work. We also offer numerous electives such as Financial Literacy, Engineering, Principles of Business and Storytellers' Workshop. Review our Course Catalog to explore all of our offerings.
  
  Sage Hill’s curriculum not only emphasizes knowledge, but also integrates mastery of six key skills for success in college and in life: collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, character and cross-cultural competency.
  
  Read more about our academic program >>
  
  Learn why Sage Hill is a School where great teachers come to thrive >>

• How do most students perform academically?

  We offer our students a rich and dynamic curriculum that promotes critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. With personal attention and investment in the success of every student, Sage Hill students are poised to thrive academically.
  
  While success looks different for each student, our results on national standardized testing are one way to understand the benefits of a Sage Hill education. Between 2017 and 2021, Sage Hill had 25 finalists and 29 semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. In a recent academic year, our students took 836 AP tests in 28 subject areas, and 173 Sage Hill students who took AP exams qualified for the “AP Scholar” recognition program for passing at least three AP exams (score of 3 or higher), or for higher levels of recognition.
  
  Read more about the Sage Hill difference >>

• How does Sage Hill prepare students for college?

  College Counseling at Sage Hill is a unique program that begins in ninth grade. It is designed to ensure that students engage in academic and co-curricular pursuits that best prepare them for college, as well as assist them in determining their ideal college fit. Our 34:1 student-to-counselor ratio, among the lowest of any Orange County high school, provides students with ample attention through every phase of the college application process. As a result, Sage Hill students attend leading colleges and universities throughout the United States; more importantly, they attend the schools that best serve their unique strengths, educational interests and future goals.
  
  Read more about Sage Hill’s College Counseling program >>
  

• What is the social atmosphere like at Sage Hill?

  A sense of community permeates everything that happens on the Sage Hill campus. Each week begins with Town Meeting, when the student body assembles in Wilkins Town Square for announcements, student performances and inspirations. Twice a year, pep rallies are held in the Peter V. Ueberroth Gymnasium with spirit competitions in which each grade vies to win the “Class Cup.” Sage Hill students also participate in more than 80 clubs each year.
  
  

  Sage Hill School sponsors a variety of Academic Teams that engage in competitions with other high schools around Orange County and, in some cases, statewide or nationwide.
  
  

  Finally, there are numerous leadership positions on campus, including Student Council, Honor Committee, Student Ambassadors, Peer Counselors, Peer Tutors and Sage Advocates for Multicultural Education.
  
  Read more about campus life at Sage Hill >>

• What is Sage Hill's athletics program like?

  The Lightning Athletics program is both rigorous and competitive. Our teams and individual athletes have achieved success at the league, division and state levels. Sage Hill’s coaches and instructors, many of whom are former college and professional athletes, use their expertise and passion to help students reach their potential. Teams compete in one of three seasons: fall, winter and spring. Most sports practice daily, immediately after school, at our beautiful campus athletics facilities (including the Brett Connor Jordan & Family Tennis Center and the Aquatics Center). Games and meets typically take place after school or on Saturdays.
  
  Read more about Sage Hill’s Athletics program >>

• What is Sage Hill's arts program like?

  Sage Hill’s comprehensive arts program celebrates the natural artist in each of our students. Students begin in ninth grade with an Arts Survey class that covers a variety of arts disciplines, and then have opportunities to participate in more than 20 different performing and visual arts courses in our beautiful 30,000-square-foot Studio at Sage Hill. We feature frequent student performances and exhibitions, as well as professional productions and master classes.
  
  Read more about Sage Hill’s Arts program >>

• What is Spring at Sage?

  Spring at Sage empowers students to become agents of change by engaging in cultural immersion through travel or seminar experiences. 
  
  Immediately following spring final exams, all students and faculty spend a week participating in an intensive seminar or a group travel program. Spring at Sage also gives students in all grades the opportunity to interact with one another, and with the faculty and staff who teach the seminars or chaperone the excursions. 
  
  

  Read more about our Spring at Sage programming >>

• What is Service Learning?

  Service Learning empowers students to become agents of change by cultivating ongoing relationships with local community partners and finding mutual value in service-based experiences.
  
  Through community partnerships, our students are encouraged to develop and/or seek out service needs in the local and global communities that match their educational, personal and social interests. Service Learning takes place on six Sage Center Days throughout the year.
  
  Read more about our Service Learning program >> 

• How much is tuition?

  Tuition is $53,770 for the 2024-2025 school year, with an enrollment deposit of $5,377. This deposit is non-refundable and credited toward the first tuition payment.
  

• What is Flexible Tuition?

  Flexible Tuition is Sage Hill's need-based financial assistance program that allows families to qualify for reduced tuition based on their unique financial circumstances. The program is comprehensive and applies to tuition and as well as other student fees. On average, Sage Hill allocates more than $4 million toward the Flexible Tuition program with 14% of our students participating. The School has a continued commitment to increase both the percentage of students receiving reduced tuition, as well as the funding of the Flexible Tuition program.
  
  Learn more about affording Sage Hill >>