High school in Pasadena

EF Academy's private day and boarding school in California

Where tradition meets innovation

All parents want their children to be happy and successful. That’s what we want too. So we started a new kind of high school in Pasadena. This allowed us to take the best of the past and fuse it with the best of the future. At its core is total immersion. We’ve redesigned every aspect of the high school experience so that learning is highly individualized, totally hands-on, and in a global community of 30+ nationalities–the EF Academy difference.

Spectacular campus setting a new standard in immersion learning

Our new $200 million high school campus in sunny California is purpose-built for immersion, with state-of-the-art academic facilities, spaces for creativity and collaboration, an impressive range of leisure facilities, and full-service student residences.

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A truly global high school in California: with classmates from 30+ countries

Few other schools can match the “mini-UN” vibe of the EF Academy high school in Pasadena. Virtually every class, activity, and event becomes “global studies.” You’re constantly expanding your worldview with multiple perspectives while sharing your own culture and traditions.

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Personalized education—one size never fits all

Every student is unique—that’s why every learning journey at our private school in Pasadena must be unique. We craft a custom pathway just for you, based on your talents and and strengths. We help you set personalized growth goals with your advisors and develop a plan for achieving them with courses and co-curricular activities you actually care about.

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Cash found personalized time with his teachers...

Mastery of skills, not memorization of facts

Here you learn how to think—the real secret to success. All your courses are designed around the skills and knowledge you will need to flourish in life, not just facts and figures to pass the next test. Because it’s not the knowledge itself that’s important—it’s how you use it.

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Our Academics

Expand your perspective in a multicultural environment while getting your hands dirty with real-world challenges.

Learn how Karoline is doing real-life learning...

Teachers who are experts

A great education always starts with great teachers. Over 90% of our faculty members have advanced degrees.

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Customized counseling

Applying to university can be overwhelming. One-to-one advising with a professional counselor helps you get into your dream school.

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Learning beyond textbooks

The best way to learn is to roll up your sleeves and make your own discoveriesin and outside the classroom.

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Innovation & Impact program

All EF Academy students in Pasadena work in multi-cultural teams to solve real-world problems in our signature Innovation & Impact Program. During your time at our boarding school, you design meaningful, community-driven solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Study fewer subjects at a time

We’ve reimagined the school schedule to prioritize time for real-life learning and field study.

Meet our Advisory Council

An esteemed group of visionary educators helping us build a great school for today's world.

Dr. Fernando Reimers

Professor of International Education, Harvard University
Author educating students to improve the world

Dr. Mukul Kumar

Chief Innovation Officer
Hult International Business School
Professor, Harvard University
Former President, United World College

Dr. Laurie Santos

Professor of Psychology at Yale University
“The Science of Well-being”
Host of The Happiness Lab podcast

Daily mentorship & 24/7 support

House Parents, advisors, and teachers work as one team to ensure your well-being and success. You also join an advisory group led by your Advisor multiple times per week.

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Where you can be you

Our welcoming campus community empowers you to come as you are and become who you want to be. Together, we create an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

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Ready to take the next step?

Request a brochure

Receive a brochure for an in-depth look at our programs and campuses

Request a consultation

Our Enrollment Advisors are ready to answer your questions

Start your application

Apply now for the spring or fall start dates for our most popular programs

Bertil Hult founded EF in 1965 with the belief that people learn best through immersion and hands-on experiences. He struggled with traditional classroom learning as a high school student with dyslexia in Sweden, and he realized during a summer job in England that he was picking up English effortlessly by living the language, not studying it. This led him to become one of the early founders of immersion learning.

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FAQ – High schools in Pasadena

Accreditations & memberships