Our son is at Lake Tahoe Prep. The class size, teachers and overall experience has been really positive. The staff has been really supportive. Beautiful campus and surroundings. Great so far. read more

I came across SVA (Squaw Valley Acady) while researching for a boarding High School for my nephew in China. I also spent a day there. Students use lap tops during class with wifi access. A lot of emphases is placed on learning with a laptop. . (All wifi are turned off at 11pm at night.). Considering all standardize tests in the US are computerized (MCAT, LSAT) and most work environments in the US use electronic records exclusively, lap top in classroom is a good idea. Students come from all over the world with the goal of attending a college in the US. SVA has transformed itself in the past few years to focus on college prep for international students. Class sizes are small, usually less than 10 students per teacher. I noticed the students get alone with each other rather well. This is observed during lunch time. I see students from different countries sit next to each other. Dorm rooms are 1-4 students per room. Most of the ones I saw have 3 students in them. There is a microwave on each hall, fridge and safe in each room. Overall the rooms are larger than the one I used to live at UC Berkeley 20 years ago. (unit 1 Cheney) and much larger then the tiny rooms at Univ of Tennessee. Washers and dryers are free for students to use. At night, dorm exits have security alarms, hallways are video monitored SVA pride itself at offering a balance between academic and personal development. They encourage students to take advantage of it's location to learn many physical activities Tahoe has to offer - hiking, soccer, golfing, cycling, ski / snowboard. I think this makes SVA different from other college prep school. I have the opportunity to spoke to students there. Due to the many Saturday field trips student take, expect another $4000 or so in additional expenses. While the students like them, parents may be surprised at the bill. read more

See all

Our son is a freshman at Lake Tahoe Prep and we couldn't be happier with our decision to send him to LTP for boarding school. Although we come from a high-achieving & prestigious southern California school district, the large size and the lack of personalized instruction wasn't ideal for our son. For him to succeed at his highest level, he needed more personal attention & interaction from his teachers. And for him to enjoy life to the fullest outside of the classroom, he wanted to surround himself with likeminded peers and attend school in a mountainous area where he could stay active year-round. We found exactly that with LTP. The academics at LTP are top notch. Our son started the year in typical 9th grade courses: English, Spanish, History, Algebra and his elective, Jazz & Rock Band. After years of struggling in the public school arena, he is now finally beginning to achieve what he was capable of. And several months into the school year, he was even bumped up to an honors level course. I'm happy to say that he is once again enjoying school; he's loving the individualized learning environment; and he's able to clearly focus on the tasks ahead of him. With the small class sizes and newfound confidence in himself, he's been able to attain straight A's and has found a new enjoyment for school & what he can accomplish when given the right tools. Staying active outside of the classroom is another one of the many things my son loves about LTP. The daily activities are incredible, ranging from river rafting to mountain bike riding, from day-hikes in the mountains to trampoline parks in town, and from rock climbing to bouldering in the beautiful Sierras. He also plays on the soccer team and loves utilizing the gym on campus. Once winter rolls around, he is looking forward to skiing just about every day after school and is beyond excited to compete on the Big Mountain ski team at Squaw Valley. The staff & accommodations are wonderful as well. The dorms are fantastic. The classrooms are inviting. And the cafeteria is terrific. Our son says the food is excellent, which is high-praise coming from a high school boy. Overall, we've had a fabulous experience at LTP and are looking forward to the next 3 years for our son. We highly recommend Lake Tahoe Prep to anyone looking for a small high school with excellent academics and outstanding outdoor activities! read more

I'm really torn as to how to rate SVA. A part of me hates it, a part of me loves it- but during the time that I went to school here my life was so out of whack, I don't know how accurately I can give a fair and level-headed review of my high school experience here. I went to SVA from 2001-2002 because of rebellious behavior as a teen, so my dad sent me off to this private boarding academy to "straighten up". As much as I hated it at first- I have fond memories of SVA, and looking back I now realize how truly privileged and lucky I was to attend this school nestled deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I mean, our physical education requirement was fulfilled by snowboarding half the day, 3 days a week. Thats right- every Mon, Wed and Fri the school day ended at 12, and off to Squaw mountain to play until 5. Pretty f'ing rad, I must say. The issues I have with Squaw have to do with the upper management and how the school was run throughout my attendance there. Most of the students at SVA (including me) were there because of behavioral issues, and because no other private academy would accept them, however there were a few students aspiring to go pro in skiing or snowboarding. SVA was going through a transitional period, with a new dean of students and many other new staff members. The way the school was being run was all over the board, kids were getting expelled left and right, and rules that were supposed to be implemented were not, such as random drug testing. I quit smoking weed for my whole sophomore year, only to NEVER be tested once! Also, I disagree with how many students were expelled from this school- for the most mundane and ridiculous reasons such as plagiarism and sneaking off campus to go to 7-11 at night. SVA knowingly accepted these students who had issues, but used them as grounds for expulsion the second they screwed up. Also, families who's kids were expelled at the very beginning of the school year didnt recieve any refund. Keep in mind, tuition here 'aint cheap- 30 grand, people. But the real reason I'm a bit bitter about SVA is due to my experience the second year I was there, my Junior year. It was totally different from the previous year- with an entirely new staff and new rules. I ended up getting expelled for failing a drug test (that they finally decided to impliment), on a false positive. Thats right, I didn't even smoke weed (or do any other drugs), but somehow the test came up positive. I'm convinced that SVA is just a scam to get people to pay 30K- just to lose it when their children get expelled for absurd and obscure reasons. All in all, I do not regret my experience there - I learned how to snowboard and developed a love for the mountains. I met a lot of people and learned a great deal through my experiences at SVA. I just don't agree with their shady ways of doing business. I will cut them some slack for going through a transitional period- but I've heard similar horror stories as mine from students who were there before AND after I was. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that SVA goes out of business or gets shut down for some reason - theres definitely something fishy going on there. read more

Lake Tahoe Preparatory School - Girls Dormatory - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Olympic Valley, California

I am reviewing this from a parent's perspective. I enrolled my son at SVA with the idea that he would get what he needed at this school: a great education, wonderful setting, great male role models, snow boarding daily and prepping for college. I was also very honest with those on the staff about some of the challenges my son had with regard to ADHD as well as his past difficulty in the classroom. I asked many questions concerning Squaws ability and desire to help him be successful including making sure he was given his medication, giving him the support he would need being away from home being fairly young still (14) and helping him learn how to study as this had been difficult for him. I was very honest about what I thought would be most helpful to Kai. They said they could/would do all of these things. It did not happen. My son did not get the support that Squaw said they would provide so he started failing his classes. The headmaster called me and started yelling at me (even though I am the one who wrote the $38K check) telling me my son was just not going to make it. He talked down to me and would cut me off when I tried to speak. Finally I was able to have a dialogue that was somewhat rational during which time this headmaster told me he would see about my getting some of my money back. Which is completely up to him to decide. He did not live up to this statement but instead referred me to the school policy handbook after my son was "removed" from the school. I think this school might work if your child is very mature and self-motivated. What has given me a sour taste is the disorganization and the lies that were told me by some of the staff. They accepted my son knowing that he had some issues that he needed help with, as I was very honest about these from the beginning. They touted themselves as folks that were eager to help him. I believe there were two other families that had to remove their children from the school as well. I wonder if they recovered any of their money, I doubt it. Also note that it is my understanding that there has been high turnover with respect to the dean position because of issues with the headmaster who is not a nice man. read more

My son is currently in his second year at Squaw Valley Academy and is a senior. Prior to coming to SVA he attended a large public school in California, putting in very little effort and earning decent grades. He says now that he didn't really know how to study. Small classes, individualized attention, clear expectations, and most importantly, mandatory 2-hour study hall resulted in a near perfect GPA after only his first semester at SVA. He's more mature, has gained confidence, and in general seems much happier with his newfound success. Thankfully, he is much more interested in actively defining his future. With the help of his teachers and SVA staff, he applied to several colleges and is very excited about his upcoming Freshman year. We are very proud of our son and are looking forward to seeing his bright future unfold with its many choices. He would certainly not be in this position had he not left the public school in which he was merely average, and attended SVA where he learned to EXCEL! He has learned lessons about himself in the last two years that will stay with him forever. Finally, after taking one semester of SAT prep at SVA, my son's SAT score improved by nearly 200 points (and it was pretty good to start)! That's real and measurable success! read more

My son attended a summer session at Squaw Valley Academy primarily for the great location and fun summer activities and had such a positive experience that he asked to go there full time as a boarding student. Prior to attending SVA my son attended a great high school in Marin County and was excelling in all areas and has a very strong network of friends. SVA has provided an environment where my son has become more confident, better disciplined, happier, and more mature. SVA provides an outstanding physical environment but also teachers and other faculty members who are engaged in his development and have set standards for his behavior that facilitate growth. School Leadership: Excellent communication with parents and teachers. Teaching Staff: SVA provides great combination short and long tenure teachers with common element of energy, competency, and high levels of personal interaction with students. Curriculum: Emphasis placed on fundamentals that are the building blocks to continuous learning beyond college. Surprisingly diverse elective subjects as well. School Facilities: The SVA Dorms are excellent as they provide a safe and secure residence in a beautiful and secure location. The dorms and classrooms are thoughtfully arranged to promote a high degree of community amongst the students and staff. Nutrition is a high priority demonstrated by the amazing school cafeteria that provides high quality nutritional meals. The location in Squaw Valley is perfect. read more

SVA has a beautiful campus in close proximity to many outdoor recreational opportunities for the students. The skiing is fabulous The academics are rigorous and prepare the students well for college. As parents, we are very impressed with the administration and the support they offer students and families. read more

I was a bit skeptical of SVA at first. Having been a long time resident in the Truckee-Tahoe area, for decades I'd heard and read many a mixed report. My wife and I are involved in the local public school district and know many of the teachers in the area. Several of these teachers have at one time or another been employed at SVA. So when it was suggested that our son attend SVA I was a bit skeptical. The school now has a new staff headed by longtime and experienced administrators. They have really turned SVA around. Academically it is very good. There is a great deal of individualized attention and supervision. All the teachers and staff seem to be of the highest order. After some resistance and a tough few first weeks, our son is thriving both in his classes and with his peers. There are a few downsides which have kept me from offering five stars. The student body is exceedingly small. Around 80 I believe. Many of the students have English as a second language. There is a high turn over of foreign students. So the ability to make and maintain good friends is somewhat limited. Also, other than snow sports, there seems to be a lack of weekend activities. The up side is that if your son or daughter loves snow sports, there is hardly a better place to be. World class -1960 Olympics - Squaw Valley is just down the road. Then there is Lake Tahoe, only about fifteen minutes drive away. Plus countless mountains and wilderness in every direction. Sports aside, SVA has a 100% college placement for it's students. Alumni have attended some of the top colleges in the country. Yes, I would recommend SVA. read more

LOVED SVA for the following reasons: - teaching is good, I went on to graduate at a good college, gpa 3.4. - my biology teacher taught me how to ski the black diamonds. - my AP history teacher traveled abroad with us (best time of my life). - primary sports include skiing/snowboarding and soccer - what you could expect from a school with less than 100 students in the Tahoe area. Venues for these sports are fine (world class for skiing/snowboarding). My ski teachers were professionally certified. My soccer coach took us to the finals. Food was not bad -it's cafeteria food (duuuhhhh!) - students include world-class snowboarder and skiers, and a mix of students who left other schools for 'something different' and some international students who I really enjoyed getting to know. All and all, I loved the experience. read more

Living in New England we are fortunate to have many boarding opportunities, none of them captured the spirit and soul of our son as Squaw Valley Academy has. After receiving several requests to travel across the country to visit the campus, I reluctantly agreed. As open minded parents, we were looking for an experience that would hold our sons attention and motivate him to meet his potential and I can say with enthusiasm, Squaw Valley Academy has exceeded our expectations. The administration and faculty work tirelessly to accomplish the goals they promise in their mission statement for all students. What speaks to us most about the school is the willingness to reach out to the students to find out what their interests are and make it happen, whether a horseback riding excursion, establishing a ice hockey team, or creating a band, just to name a few. Students are held accountable for meeting grade, faculty are always willing to offer guidance and additional tutoring support if needed. As a result, our son has consistently made honor roll which is a great source of pride for him. He is gaining confidence and learning to challenge himself as a direct result of the dedicated faculty and administration. I am happy to say that my son has gone from not wanting to unpack his bags last fall, to staying packed during a visit home because he can't wait to return! My husband and I are very happy we found Squaw Valley Academy and would highly recommend the school to anyone looking for a safe, positive and motivating experience for their child(ren). read more

We are a mexican family and our son is currently in his second year at Lake Tahoe Preparatory School. Since the first phone call and then skype interview the staff was incredibly supportive and made us feel welcome from day one. We then went to visit and found exactly what we had suspected from the call, an incredible staff, amazing place and setting and impressive understanding of teenage behaviours and wonderful classrooms and academic programs. Our son has been extremely happy there, when we talk to him he tells us about different activities and he absolutely loves the skiing program. We, as parents, have always felt that our son is safe there and the rules are always clear and it makes it easier for our son because he knows what the school expects from him. The study halls are a good tool for our son and the help in all the academic subjects is always available which helps him thrive in his grades. The setting of the school is beautiful, right there on the mountain and the dorms are cozy. I totally recommend this school to any parent that is looking for a small personalized education for his son or daughter. We have seen our son grow with a sense of who he is and at the same time feeling accepted and loved by friends and staff members. Ana Guerra read more

It's nice to see nothings changed. I went there a long time ago, 1987. So I don't want to sound bitter and I realize things have changed over time, or maybe not, but for what it's worth here's my quick take on the school. I admit I was 'troubled' at the time, which is why my parents sent me there. However if I thought I had a problem with drugs before I went to OVS it because clear shortly after I got there that the problem was I didn't have access to the good stuff. At OVS I had a lot of access. I kid you not, everybody was getting high at this school. There was also a lot of acid going around (hey, it was the eighties) and a lot of cocaine. I know this because I used to buy it from my science teacher. I was kicked out after the first year for selling drugs but while they wouldn't return the unused portion of my parents tuition they were kind enough to envite me back the following year. The following year I got into a fight and had my nose broken, and the kid who did it admitted to it but they didn't even make him sit in a corner. Just told us to keep away from each other. I was kicked out the second year as well for stealing. I'm not the same person I was back then, but the lessons I'd give to anybody thinking about sending their kids to this or any boarding school is that you'll be putting you kid in an environment that will only foster their problems. OVS was great, parties every night, skiing all day. Lost my virginity there. Made a lot of friends. At the same time I also learned what real drugs were, and they were abundant there. My behaviors that made my parents worry enough to put me in there only became amplified in that environment. If your child is having troubles, shipping him off to a boarding school that 'focuses' on growth isn't going to help. It's only going to place the kid in an environment with similar kids and they're actions and attitudes are going to feed off each other. Yes, I loved the time at OVS, but I can't say it straightened me out or tat my parents got their monies worth. I'd say try homeschooling. read more

I don't normally sit around writing reviews, reading others' review, so on. But I would have really benefited by reading Genevieve M.'s review before sending my son to SVA. So, following are my thoughts. My son, 14 yrs old at the time, attended SVA for half of last year. Here's my appraisal. What SVA does well: Market itself. What it doesn't do so well: Deliver on those promises. Don't get me wrong, I met several good teachers and staff there. And there's no denying the upside to kids' being able to snowboard most days in the winter. Having said that, SVA's administration and ownership appear to be deeply disconnected from the educational and housing staff. Students and parents both seem to share this view. This seeming disinterest by administration was even acknowledged by staff I spoke with. My son went to SVA without drug, alcohol or smoking problems. I was impressed by the school's stated policies of no-tolerance for these things. As it turned out, my son was among a small minority of students who didn't smoke, and the prevailing culture of drug use really surprised me. In my opinion, these characteristics were worse than in the public schools I've known. SVA academics were generally mediocre. Most teachers were very young, several just out of school themselves, and while some were enthusiastic, they were poorly paid and were clearly at SVA so that they could be in the mountains themselves. Turnover was incredibly high. Bottom line is that SVA was a very expensive experiment that provided some good opportunities for my son; but, as a generally rule, SVA was an overpriced, over-promised, poorly run institution that I would guess will close down before long. Buyer (parent) beware. Just my humble opinion. Jim Elias read more

My son attended high school at SVA and studied science, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. He played competitive soccer and skied almost everyday in the winter with his classmates. He made many friends from around the world at SVA, and went on to earn an electrical engineering degree at University of San Diego. He currently has a successful software engineering career in San Francisco and visits Squaw Valley regularly. SVA is a wonderful school and the teachers and staff go out of their way to help students excel in academics and in life. read more

Save your money, there are better private schools out there. I attended this school in the 80's and it is mind boggling that they are allowed to be in business. Please read the hidden comments for the real scoop on this school. read more

I am currently a student at SVA, and have been going there for about six months. I have my issues with the place, such as a suspicion that people may get expelled if they don't get accepted to a four-year college so that the school can keep its 100% acceptance rate. All of my other problems with the school are probably simply from the stand point of me being a student and minor. Teenage need to dissent and what-not. That being said, I have good grades due to the structure and mandatory study hall each night (excepting weekends) that keep me from being purely lazy. The academics aside, I also love the outdoor adventures we get living in one of the most picturesque places in the world. The fact that so many different cultures, languages, and races are brought into a very close environment has taught me a lot. I've even learned a bit of Chinese, German, and Russian. The school has changed up its administrators over the last couple years and is working very hard to change their domestic image. The bad reputation SVA has gotten is undeserved at this point. I cannot speak to the time before I went there. SVA has helped me tremendously, and I have never regretted going there. read more