Dunn School

Posted: May 8, 2025

My child is thriving at this school and I can't say enough positive things about it. What a truly special environment to explore your passions, be exposed to a world-class curriculum by caring and dedicated teachers, and have the college outcomes to show for all the hard work.

Posted: May 8, 2025

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Posted: January 24, 2025

In my opinion, Dunn School is not a good place to send your student. Having worked at the school and having my child enrolled as well, I can speak from various points of view. The leadership is terrible, the culture within the staff/faculty is the worst I've ever experienced. Most of the students are great, but there are a lot of students, teachers and admin staff who are "more equal" than others. The place is full of nepotistic hiring, teachers with no training or credentials, poor curriculum and tons of preferential treatment. If you happen to be the child of a rich alumni, you will get away with everything and have it great, but if Dunn doesn't see a long game with getting money and future donations from your family, you have no value to them. Dunn is located in a very rural area and it's challenging to attract good, talented faculty. The pay is relatively low and the demands on your time are high.

There is no security on campus for your kids. The students constantly sneak off the grounds without the staff knowing, especially at night, drugs and alcohol are almost always involved. The staff seems clueless around the amount of substance abuse that goes on daily in the dorms and even in class. This is not hearsay, this comes directly from the students who go there. There have been many episodes of poor judgement around student interactions with faculty, from an emotional, mental and even physical nature. Dunn has it's fair share of dirty laundry.

If you play boys soccer, baseball or basketball, you're in luck, since that's where any athletic money goes. If you have any other sport or interest, no money is put into it. The facilities are old and in disrepair, the programs are not impressive. Their 2 big draws are innovation and entrepreneurship. Both are taught by faculty that are neither innovative or entrepreneurs. No one in the entrepreneur program has ever run or started their own business, and innovation is "Makers-Space" with low-end robotic kits. Nothing innovative about it. Both of those programs were started to attract more enrollment, because that's where they get most of their money. They have a very small endowment and depend primarily on enrollment $'s and donations to stay afloat. They cater to wealthy families that will donate $'s.

The board should replace most of the leadership, starting from the top. They are not good stewards of the school. The enrollment numbers have been declining every year. Not sure they will survive for long.

Posted: January 24, 2025

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Posted: October 16, 2020

No school is without faults or tradeoffs but if what you want is a safe place for your teenagers to blossom and discover their potential and discover the world, Dunn is a great place for this.

Posted: October 16, 2020

The school is small enough for teachers to monitor workload. Study hall hours for boarding students.

Posted: October 16, 2020

Middle school teachers are incredibly dedicated and meet students where they are. If by effective you mean helping kids get perfect SAT scores then this is not your school, but if it's effective as in developing a love for learning and getting students to think, then yes absolutely.

Posted: October 16, 2020

These are part of the school's core values. There are plenty of opportunities for students to learn and exercise and even teach these traits.

Posted: October 16, 2020

Posted: October 16, 2020

The Learning Strategies Program does an incredible job of integrating and including students with cognitive and learning differences.

Posted: October 16, 2020

Posted: December 14, 2019

Homework hours are mandatory...but the kids play video games and switch screens. No one notices.

Posted: December 14, 2019

If you survive this school you have amazing grit and perseverance.

Posted: December 14, 2019

The headmaster is unaware of the goings on in this school. He lives in a world which is not reality.

Posted: December 14, 2019

There is a learning center. I am not familiar with it.

Posted: December 14, 2019

Teachers, administration....they really are unaware of the difficulties going on in campus.

Posted: December 14, 2019

Terrible. There's no supervision. The children that lie with the most conviction are the ones that skate through this school. Your child will learn to lie and manipulate. If they don't know how to lie and manipulate now they will learn from the best.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Bullying just doesn't exist on campus. They teach it, they recognize it, and they catch it very early on. I had the pleasure to attend a student government meeting once where the student leaders were discussing the student climate in the classrooms and in the dorms. They were so deeply in tune with any emerging challenges and so eager to address them.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Excellent. I have three children that currently attend. All of them have been enrolled since sixth grade. While my wife and I would love to take credit for our children's solid development, much of that credit must be shared with Dunn. It is so easy to instill household values when those values are mirrored and reinforced by the school that they attend. We are very lucky to have had the Dunn partnership. My son is currently applying for college and his college list is exactly what I would have hoped to see when he began attending Dunn in 6th grade. Any one of the schools on this list will be an extension of the loving, caring, supportive, and challenging environment that he experienced at Dunn. We are very, very thankful for Dunn School.

Posted: November 15, 2019

All student homework and assessments are directly tied to student growth initiatives and most are experiential and project-based. There is no busy work at Dunn.

Posted: November 15, 2019

The care and support demonstrated by the faculty and staff is genuine and effective. My children (three attend Dunn) all have deep, meaningful relationships with many of the faculty/staff.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Whole child education is not just a talking point at Dunn. They live the core values.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Dunn's core values of Physical Readiness, Emotional Wellness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility and Moral Courage help build the foundation for the school's focus on attending to the whole child. These values and expectations are set from the top (Mike Beck and Simon Sweeney) and trickle down through all the faculty and staff.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Dunn's Learning Strategies program is one of the top in the nation. Dunn has been committed to helping every child succeed since its inception.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Overall our daughter is thriving at Dunn. She is being appropriately challenged and is growing in significant and important ways. Teachers and staff are highly invested and bring an energy to their work which is infectious.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Teachers genuinely care about student growth and are invested both in and out of the classroom in their development not only as students but also as a human beings.

Posted: November 15, 2019

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Posted: November 14, 2019

As a parent, I have been thrilled with my son's growth, and I credit it in largest part to the relationships he's developed with his teachers and his peers.

Posted: November 14, 2019

Homework is never busy work. Students engage in a meaningful continuation of their learning experience.

Posted: November 14, 2019

Relationships are at the center of the learning experience for Fun students. Students really get to know their teachers, and teachers really get to know their students.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The school is committed to whole student education based on it's core values: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility, and Moral Courage.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The decision making process is grounded in the core values of the school and strives to maintain integrity and transparency.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The school has a strong Learning Strategies Program and understands that all students learn differently.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The school is proactive in educating students about being respectful and not tolerating mean behavior. And, the school is reactive always if billing does occur.

Posted: November 14, 2019

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Posted: November 14, 2019

We’ve had a wonderful experience with Dunn that far exceeded our expectations.

Posted: November 14, 2019

We feel like we are watching our daughter thrive in a time that might otherwise be really challenging.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The homework load varies for my daughter. Some projects require more time but I am happy with the usual amount of time, she is able to balance her personal life well.

Posted: November 14, 2019

Teachers are enthusiastic and passionate about their subjects.

Posted: November 14, 2019

The handbook outlines expectations for students mostly in regards to doing their best in all aspects of their life. We recently had conferences and they keep the students on track encouraging growth mindset.

Posted: November 14, 2019

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Posted: November 14, 2019

Both of our boys attend Dunn. Both started in the middle school and continued on to the upper school. We have loved being a part of the Dunn family. We have been pleased with the entire experience...the commitment to experiential education and whole student education, the small class sizes, incredible faculty and staff members, and the supportive/caring community. The environment has been wonderful for both of my children. They are in their fourth year at the school, and we are looking forward to a few more wonderful years at this special place!

Posted: November 14, 2019

Posted: November 14, 2019

Teachers care deeply about the intellectual growth of students at the upper and middle school.

Posted: November 14, 2019

We appreciate Dunn's core values and the commitment of faculty and staff to whole student education.

Posted: November 14, 2019

Posted: November 14, 2019

Dunn has an entire department devoted to students in need of learning support.

Posted: November 14, 2019

Dunn has zero tolerance for bullying. Students who step out of line are dealt with quickly by the Dean of Students, Head of School, and Associate Head.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Our son struggled all three years at DMS in language arts, teachers stated "he wasn't putting in enough effort". Less than one week into attending his new school, his English teacher called stating she thinks he has a learning disability. He was tested and sure enough he does have a learning disability. Not once did Dunn even suggest that.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Our son was bullied, and nothing was done.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Absolutely awful! Dunn refused to returning any of our tuition, after our son only attended for one day due to bullying. We only requested half of our tuition be refunded,

Posted: May 2, 2019

Student are allowed to bully of student and nothing is done.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Our son was bullied in 8th grade at DMS, we were promised that it was taken care of. His first day of High School the same students bullied him again. Our son never returned to Dunn, and Dunn refused refund any part of his tuition, which we had paid in full. He is thriving at his new school.

Posted: November 15, 2016

The board needs to wake up and look carefully at the leader of the school and the mostly male administration that he has put into place.

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

The Learning Resource Center is the only redeeming aspect of the school.

Posted: November 15, 2016

The head continues to weave a facade of deceit and the majority of the Board allows it to continue. The Head of School needs to leave or retire and his predominately male administration needs to be disbanded. In the last 10 years, 85% of the established faculty have left or been counseled out because the Head wants complete and ultimate control with no competition

Posted: March 23, 2016

Posted: January 10, 2016

I am not happy with the Dunn School at all I have been here for three years and every year it has been getting worse! I would not recommend this school for anyone! They are very cheap and won't spend a nickel unless they absolutely have to. The student leadership positions only go to the students whose parents have money and the kids with money can get away of anything they want.

Posted: October 7, 2015

I'm a proud alumni of Dunn School. I was lucky to be a boarding student in a very diverse environment in a beautiful valley with students from different countries- even from Sudan, Ghana, India, Germany, and so on. I loved how teachers are passionate and genuinely care about students and their success. Teachers live on campus and I was able to go get help with work anytime. I received academic honors every year and was accepted into a university I wanted to attend. There was so many leadership opportunities- I gained my confidence being a leader of several organizations on campus. I am from Japan but Dunn is my forever family- the people I met there and the experience Dunn gave me are truly amazing. If you are considering going to Dunn- that is a great choice! 100% recommended.

Posted: October 7, 2015

For our family, Dunn's faculty and staff are the "golden triangle" of schools, meaning the perfect balance. The teachers have a lot of energy and are very inspiring. They are involved during classroom, enjoy eating in the cafeteria at lunch/dinner, and most are assigned to dorms with the boarding students. This provides students the opportunity to get to know their teachers.

My son is a Sophomore at Dunn High School, and is thoroughly enjoying school again. We have been part of the Dunn community since 7th grade. He is confident with his studies, and enjoying getting fit in pre-season baseball training.
At the beginning of every morning, students check in with their assigned advisors, who are instructors at the school. The advisors assist the students in keeping track of homework, and any assistance they may need. This is very helpful for the parents, as students initiate doing their homework. Teachers are available to the students during evening hours via email.

We enjoy Dunn's smaller classroom size, which gives more time to teach to the student vs. staying on a pre-programmed academic schedule. This gives the students the opportunity to speak their views and ideas, whether it be solo or in a team. The interactive classroom setting is interesting and instills creativity. Otherwise students become bored if they just sit and listen to lectures.

Dunn would not be possible for a lot of wonderful families if it weren't for the financial aid that is offered. It is based on income, and the online application is processed through a vendor, confidentially.

Dunn has zero tolerance for bullying, and responds immediately if something is reported.

Dunn High School has a very talented team for college counseling and preparing/assisting students with the enormous college application process. I am confident, as a parent, that my son will be guided successfully towards developing his future goals, and making it happen.
Thank you Dunn, for all you do.
Parent, Dunn School

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

They have lots of homework, but ample support from their teachers as well as other students.

Posted: October 6, 2015

Morals and values are a huge part of the Dunn School education goals. Independent thinking, integrity and social awareness are not just taught, but modeled.

Posted: October 6, 2015

Reading the poor review from last December (by a teacher?), I have trouble even considering that they were talking about Dunn School. We have had an incredible experience for both our kids. My husband and I both attended independent schools and my older son, now a senior spent his first two years at another independent school. In our experience at Dunn I have seen nothing but a high level of education and caring given by both the faculty and the staff. My kids will be well prepared for college, but even more importantly, they will be prepared for life. The school ideals that are taught are ones that my children will utilize throughout their lives. I cannot say enough about how pleased we are. I just must assume the angry reviewer has issues of their own, not really issues with Dunn. I find Dunn school a vibrant, exciting and dynamic institution that gives us everything we wanted in a small independent school.

Posted: December 11, 2014

Dunn School is a dying institution. Its former glory has been tainted in favor of being as cheap as possible in anticipation of a country-wide drop in school-aged children in the 2020s. Faculty and staff are radically overloaded as the school refuses to hire adequately, and a massive discrepancy between educational staff experience exists. Dunn School has a large annual churn rate of around 8 to 10 staff and faculty, which speaks poorly for Dunn's investment in their employees. Students are subjected to a one-size-fits-all model. A school of former diversity is now nothing more than an overseas boarding school for East Asian students.

Posted: January 29, 2014

Dunn Middle School is the best middle school in the Santa Ynez Valley. The school has an amazing staff so in tune with every child's needs. I feel as if my daughter's education is custom tailored to her needs. She is challenged in all ways every day and enjoys going to school each and every day. The enrichment program has a variety of classes which is not offered anywhere else in the valley. I am constantly impressed by what my child is learning in class everyday and the way in which she is learning. The school has surpassed my expectations.

Posted: January 29, 2014

Dunn is so tranquil and caring, I literally wish I could have gone to a school like this. My son's teachers are outstanding. I get weekly updates from his advisor, so I feel like I know how he's doing without needing to be overly involved. The transportation the school now offers for Santa Barbara families makes it absolutely work for our family. The setting is calm and safe with many trees and amazing mountain views, and open space for athletic fields. Compared to his former LA school there is no comparsion. If you want a high quality college prep education that will give your child individual attention and not compromise on enrichments, arts and athletics, with great teachers and a beautiful setting, I highly recommend Dunn.

Posted: December 3, 2013

The Dunn School has an outstanding Learning Strategies Program that sets it apart from the other college prep schools. Our student entered Dunn after having a rough time in middle school. He has ADHD and, at that time, he was not able to get control of his ADHD and succeed in school. At Dunn he met with his Learning Strategies adviser every day and learned about himself as well as strategies for getting his work done and getting good grades. The same adviser worked with him all three years and nurtured his growth as a person and a student. In addition, Dunn also has excellent teachers and coaches that encouraged his participation in the many activities of the school. He played sports and developed leadership skills that have helped him gain confidence and relate well to his peers. Now that he is in college, I can fully appreciate the way that Dunn prepared him for for this important step in his life.

Posted: November 20, 2013

This was the best place for my son to go to middle and high school -- he found exactly what he was looking for... a fabulous supportive community of teachers and students, collaboration, creativity, and academic challenge. Be aware though, that becoming part of Dunn School is a life choice for your child. Whether they are boarders or are a day student, Dunn requires a great portion of their day, sometimes well into the evening for school activities and even some weekends. Dunn becomes a way of life and is as demanding and rigorous as it needs to be to support its students' endeavors to be they best that they can be. My son earned a tremendous education and created a life long family among both students and teachers. I am forever grateful to the staff for the love and support and encouragement they gave my son. He is a better man as a result of their kindness and care.

Posted: November 13, 2013

Our family has had such a great experience with Dunn School. Our son attended the middle school for two years and absolutely thrived. He learned to try new things without fear of failing. He gained confidence, enjoyed his classes and loved getting to experience surfing, camping, rock climbing, even Italian and language arts festivals, with his classmates. He found a solid group of friends and discovered so much about himself. His middle school experience was close to perfect. Our daughter now goes to the middle school and our son is at the high school. Both of them are doing well in their classes, love their teachers and are happy to go to school every day. I'm so glad we decided to send our kids to Dunn.

Posted: October 6, 2013

Are you kidding me. The new head of school is a power hungry, arrogant, napoleon. He has placed many of the top administrators as men. He is afraid of woman and what they can do like have great input and ideas. If you are looking for a great school ha, this isn't it. You are better off going to Midland, Cate, or Thatch

Posted: September 26, 2013

Dunn Middle School is a unique learning environment, offering an ideal situation for serious, high-achieving students who are motivated and able and think outside or beyond the box. Dunn brings a hands-on approach to academic, athletics, and outdoor education. Good volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming, and bike programs. Students are able to learn at their own pace and not held back. Age-appropriate innocence, kindness, encouragement to try new things, and high academic excellence is emphasized and nurtured. 6th -8th graders establish academic and personal goals, are encouraged to develop their unique strengths, are held accountable to high standards. Ample parent involvement and community events. With class sizes averaging 6-12 students, teachers engage and get to know each student personally and focus on individual student achievement based on goals specific to that child. New headmaster (as of 2012) is excellent. Many DMS students continue onto the high school, which speaks volumes for the quality of the entire Dunn educational community as a whole. We scouted many schools before choosing Dunn for our kids. We have been happy with the high caliber of this school.

Posted: March 25, 2013

Administration does not value or respect the contribution of the day student families and students' obligations to their families and local community. School has little to no connection to local community. While there are stellar, experienced teachers, there are also inexperienced teachers. Teachers are passionate, caring and involved but are severely overextended affecting overall quality. Certain departments stronger than others. Huge annual turnover of faculty. The school's "one size fits all" program and daily schedule from 7:50 am - 5:30 pm stifles ingenuity, creativity & spark. Very weak athletics program except for Baseball. Beautiful, safe campus setting.

Posted: February 18, 2013

Dunn School continues to be managed by a subpar administration. The headmaster has made many changes, mostly promoting men into positions of administration. Many of the established, tenured teachers have been pushed out or placed into "supportive" roles. The board guides the headmaster, but seems to follow his decisions blindly and disregards parent, alumnae and faculty unrest. Many of the "old" faculty have been pushed out or have left for other private school positions.

Posted: June 23, 2012

Dunn School is an outstanding school with excellent leadership and stellar teachers. The outdoor education program is alive and well and under new leadership. We are highly satified with the changes. Our child returned from a camping trip this past spring and loved it. Dunn School is going in the right direction, with an emphasis on academics, preparing children for four year colleges, leadership, community service, the arts, competitive sports and outdoor education. I believe that the Headmaster makes excellent and well thought decisions regarding staffing with the safety and well being of all students in mind and the long term health of the school. Dunn School is a gem in our community. We are thankful to to all the caring teachers and staff.

Posted: February 2, 2012

Dunn School is a "turnaround school". It is capable of taking a student who is floundering or has had a trauma and grooming him or her for the Ivy League if that is what they are suited for. They look at the whole child. My high-schooler has developed social skills, effective peer interaction and academic resiliency. The teachers, every one, have been inspiring. I am amazed at the rigor of the curriculum compared even with the boarding school I attended in Connecticut. The students really have to work hard for their grades An added bonus was that the advisor dramatically improved communication between my child, my husband and myself. I am so proud as a parent and I attribute the uprightness, integrity and improved behavior to this school because my husband and I had run out of answers. I can now concentrate on my career because I know my son is 100% happy and in excellent hands. My husband and I pat ourselves on the back with each phone call on this decision to send our son to Dunn School.

Posted: September 18, 2011

GREAT School! Our kids have been at Dunn for 4 years and are extremely happy. They are receiving a top notch education as well as participating in sports, community service, leadership and outdoor eduation. Dunn allows students to explore the world they live in and this is all done under the amazing faculty and staff who genuinely care about each student. Dunn also has a amazing college counseling program, which begins working with students as freshmen. Can't say enough good things. Visit this beautiful school.

Posted: June 17, 2011

This school has a lot of internal problems and an overloaded administration. There are many dedicated teachers who work long days, coach sports and then have to supervise in the dorms at night. They closed the outdoor education program to save money which angered many alumni and the school seems to be shrinking. Potential parents should ask about teaching credentials as well of the years of experience in the classroom.