Learning at Midland

By Ellie Moore, Dean of Academics

College prep in high school equips students with the skills, knowledge, and readiness for college success. Beyond academics, this preparation shapes students into self-sufficient, confident learners. Schools integrate college prep through rigorous courses, structured guidance, and support systems to develop independent, resilient young adults.

What Does College Prep Mean?

The term “college prep,” short for “college preparatory,” encompasses the courses, guidance, and extracurricular experiences that prepare students academically and personally for college. At Midland School, college prep is both a practice and a purpose: students learn through hands-on projects, real-world problem-solving, and a curriculum geared toward college-level thinking.

What Makes College Prep Boarding Schools Different?

As compared to day schools, college prep boarding schools offer an immersive experience, creating a community where learning and personal growth happen 24/7. Unlike traditional schools, they provide a comprehensive setting that combines academics, personal development, and community living, instilling self-discipline and independence. Studies show that when students learn through authentic hands-on experiences, and see how their subject learning is relevant to their lives and the world around them, they are more likely to be bought in, inspired, and curious – which leads to lifelong learners!

Benefits of High School College Prep Programs

High school college prep programs offer numerous advantages that extend into future academic and career success. A strong high school college prep program like Midland’s doesn’t just push rote memorization and regurgitation of content, but instead trains students in core skills that transfer between subjects like Craftsmanship, Literacy & Voice, and Connection to Place and Environment. Teaching from a skills-based perspective challenges students not simply through “more work” but by activating higher level thinking skills like analysis, evaluation, and creation. These skills are the same ones they will need to use to be successful in college, and in their future careers, as they are not rooted in any one specific subject. So much of what a Midland student takes away from their high school experience is a strong foundation of transferable skills. 

Greater Academic Opportunities

Courses focused on college readiness enable students to build a strong transcript to stand out to colleges not just through the opportunity to achieve high grades in rigorous Honors-level classes, but also through sparking genuine interest through advanced courses in small class sizes that are centered around the core transferable skills that will set students up to be successful not just in college but in their lives beyond. As part of the academic program, all Midland students complete an individual senior thesis or project, further allowing them to pursue an area of interest at a deeper level than a simple set of course options would allow. 

Time Management and Independence

At college prep schools (particularly boarding schools like Midland), students learn to manage their time, balancing responsibilities that prepare them for the self-driven nature of college life. For example, at Midland students gain the skills necessary to balance rigorous academics, with the responsibilities of their on campus job, as well as challenging athletics, student-led clubs and affinity groups, and many other leadership roles. It’s a lot! But they see how much they can accomplish when they are driving their own lives.

Tailored Educational Atmosphere

With smaller classes and a favorable student-to-teacher ratio, college prep boarding schools offer individualized instruction, hands-on experiences, and direct support for each student. At Midland, more than half of our student body is involved in peer tutoring – often acting as both a peer tutor in one subject, and receiving tutoring in another. This speaks to the powerful growth mindset our community supports at Midland, recognizing that our learning goals are always progress, not perfection, and there are many roads to success. We also have learning support faculty who work with students one-on-one around executive functioning and time management skills-building, though we expect all Midland students to have a minimum level of agency to take advantage of all the resources available to them. 

What Does College Prep Look Like at Midland?

College prep integrates critical thinking, resourceful living, and an environment that emphasizes self-reliance. Courses like Midland 101 and college counseling programs provide a holistic foundation for higher education and beyond. Special workshops for students and parents help families navigate preparation for college and life beyond high school. Director of College Counseling, Leah Hebie, works one-on-one with students to focus their study plans and explore different career paths. Leah’s approach to college readiness focuses not just on the academic year but also on encouraging students to take advantage of summer opportunities: “At Midland, we pride ourselves in learning by doing and we make the most of living in Santa Barbara County. While it may feel tempting for students to kick up their feet in the summertime, College Admissions Directors share that it’s a prime moment to take an avenue otherwise unavailable during the demands of the academic year. Our students are taking note, and applying for competitive and free programs that help chart the path after graduation here. Exposure to an unfamiliar field such as actuarial science or bioresource engineering can open up our students’ thinking about what kind of careers could be a good fit before specializing with a degree.”

Get Started at a College Prep Boarding School in California

Ready to embark on an educational journey that prepares you for college and beyond? Contact our Admissions team to learn more about our application process and see how college prep at Midland can set you on the path to success.