Squaw Valley Academy is a small, private boarding school located in the United States, near Lake Tahoe, in Olympic Valley, California. Our college-preparatory school enrolls co-ed students in grades 9-12, who wish to attend for a full year, a single semester, or one or both sessions of summer school. Squaw Valley Academy also offers rolling enrollment and facilitates most students’ needs, while working with the student and the parents to find the best placement for the child. All of our graduates maintain 100% College Acceptance, and graduates averages three (3) acceptances each. Our academic support services and advancement courses are integral into the success of our students. They include: The Academic Learning Center, College Counseling, SAT Prep, Certified SAT Testing location, various levels of ESL, mandatory evening Study Halls, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses that earn students’ college credit. Squaw Valley Academy is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and follows the approved curriculum from the University of California.

While the primary focus of Squaw Valley Academy is rigorous academics, we understand that academics coupled with an enjoyment of lifelong mountain sports provides a strong foundation for every student. Sports give students a positive outlet for energy, as well as forming strong friendships, and providing a healthy environment to pursue competition. Students enjoy daily sports and activities that reinforce self-confidence, teamwork, adventure, respect, and fun. Twice during the academic year, students depart on a weeklong educational excursion to regional locations. The excursions couple a sense of adventure with project-based education. Past trips include: surfing in San Diego, California; mountain biking in Moab, Utah; rock climbing in Yosemite National Park, in California; river rafting on the Kern River, in southern California; and a ‘Living History Tour’ to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Due to our location, many sports are not available throughout the year. In the warmer months (May through October), students may enjoy a variety of sports from intramural sports like soccer and basketball, to recreational sports like golf and disc golf, to adventurous sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. Many outdoor sports such as hiking also include short educational presentations about local flora, geology, history, environmental impact, or environmental restoration. Students enjoy local activities as well as sports. Activities include supervised trips to movie theaters, restaurants, art and history museums, aquariums, theatrical productions and fine art performances, amusement parks, and local sports venues. The warmer months draw a high volume of tourists and residents alike, most of which are looking to experience why Lake Tahoe is called “The Gem of the Sierra.”

During the cooler months (November to April), students who meet or exceed Squaw Valley Academy’s academic standards may ski or snowboard daily at Squaw Valley USA Ski Resort, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Squaw Valley USA offers a multitude of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from novice to expert. The resort offers 6 mountain peaks, 30+ ski lifts, close to 4,000 acres of terrain, 2,850 feet of vertical ascent, 3 terrain parks and a Superpipe. The location of the campus in relation to the ski resort is premier as the ski resort is just 2 miles from the campus and offers students a world-renowned skiing or snowboarding destination that is quite literally “at their fingertips”. Due to a recent mountain-merger, customers who purchase a lift ticket or season pass at Squaw Valley USA also have access to the adjacent mountain resort, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. Students and customers alike may now enjoy two completely different, exciting mountain resorts less than ten minutes apart.  Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area truly is an “outdoor playground” and Squaw Valley Academy is a pristine location for students to live, learn, and enjoy themselves, in a safe, mountain community.