1. York is small, but we think it’s the perfect size—and we keep it that way on purpose.

We focus on individuals—their strengths, their goals, how they learn, where and when they need extra support or extra challenge. Our size allows us to know and care about every one of our 225 students. And with small classes and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, there’s a lot of personal attention and interaction with teachers. In a culture that pressures students to fit in, we help them stand out.

2. We don’t put kids in boxes.

Unlike bigger schools where students can get typecast (think athlete vs. artist vs. actor, etc.), at York you can be all those things and hang out with all those groups if you want to. You don’t get lumped with just the kids from your grade—you can interact with everybody on campus and that makes the school feel much larger and more inclusive.

3. York is not a boarding school.

We are 100% here for students who live locally across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. We welcome a diverse group of students—racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic diversity has been part of our mission at York since its beginning in 1959. And we’re convinced that the diversity on our campus benefits everyone and is a powerful element of a global education. At York, it’s not about what car you drive, what jeans you wear, or what purse you carry. We’re focused on minds, hearts, and futures.

4. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a brainiac to thrive at York.

While we are proud of the academic success of our students, it’s not a 4.0 GPA-required kind of place. We are looking for kids who are motivated academically, who want to learn things, and enjoy a mental challenge. And we want kids who like art, and music, and athletics, and politics, and the environment, and lots of other things too. According to Chuck Harmon, our head of school, “It’s not the horsepower, it’s the driver.” A desire to learn, grow, and be involved takes you farther than raw brains alone, and our teachers are here to help you discover something you can be passionate about, or develop further in an area you already love.

5. We have lots of sports and we’re competitive.

Our open participation athletics program means no cuts—we want you to be part of the team, whether you are a pro or new at the game. So if you are interested in playing ____(fill in the blank: soccer, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, cross country, swimming/diving, basketball, softball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, track & field, golf), you’ll have a place. York helps develop athletes: learning how to function as a team, to be a good sport, and to play with passion are all valuable parts of the process. And if your favorite sport is off-campus—dance, local swim team, club soccer, equestrian, etc.—you can pursue it through our independent activity program.

6. It might surprise you to know that York students like to do a lot more things than study.

85% of our students participate in team sports, 23% in vocal or instrumental ensembles, 25% in theatrical productions, and most are in one or more clubs. They have dances, do community service, create new clubs driven by their interests, run for student government positions, and find amazingly creative ways to participate in and enrich their school experience.

7. We have great teachers who make the whole learning experience a lot more fun.

They bring their excitement into the classroom. It’s not about lectures and multiple choice tests: it’s about intellectual engagement. Students are motivated to try hard, take on new opportunities, and discover who they are and what interests them. Students have a voice here, they’re encouraged to use it, and they learn how to talk to and work with teachers outside the classroom. That’s just one more piece of what college preparation is all about.

8. If you think students automatically get better grades at less challenging schools, think again.

York students benefit from a supportive learning environment where they are surrounded by people who care about academic success. It’s one time when peer pressure is a positive force—the bar is set higher and students rise to meet it. With a lower bar, all too often performance is lower, too. If you’re concerned about the numbers-driven UC system, look at these numbers: York graduation requirements meet or exceed all UC requirements, York seniors are 40% more likely to gain acceptance to UCs than the California average, and every year York students are accepted at the most selective UC schools. Our students’ SAT/ACT scores are significantly higher than the average for students admitted to the most selective UCs.

9. Speaking of college, York students are admitted to top colleges and universities all around the country.

We help them find schools that are a good match for their skills and interests; 100% of them are headed to four year colleges. Our graduates consistently return to tell us that they were well prepared and hit the ground running as college freshmen. Compare that to the 30+% of UC freshman who require remedial instruction. Not only do our students “get into” college, but they also graduate: 98% of York alums earn their college degrees within six years or less vs. 45% of high school graduates in California.

10. We have a strong commitment to financial aid.

In 2008-09, 36% of our students received financial assistance, twice the national average for independent schools. Donor and foundation support allows us to offer nearly $1 million in aid, making a York education possible for talented students through our broad geographical area, which typically includes students from 35-40 different middle school, home school and charter school programs. The diversity on campus makes it an interesting place to exchange ideas, learn about the world, and prepare to take on the future.

Find out for yourself what a diverse group of creative individuals can achieve. Visit. Learn more by clicking here.