FAM trip - Villanova Preparatory School: A Century of Academic Excellence Along the Southern California Coast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgGE2zUl27c

Following the breathtaking California coastline, the GE 2025 FAM Trip continued to its seventh school visit. With great anticipation, we arrived at Villanova Preparatory School, located in Ventura County in Southern California.

As soon as we stepped onto campus, the warm Southern California sunshine and lush green surroundings greeted us. The Head of School personally welcomed us at the Taylor Student Center, joined by the Director of Admission and the Academic Dean. Coffee and refreshments were thoughtfully prepared, and their enthusiasm set the tone for a rich and engaging campus visit.

A Century-Old Campus

Diverse Spaces Within an Elegant Layout

Villanova Preparatory School is a distinguished boarding high school with over 100 years of history, situated on a 130-acre campus. The campus layout is elegant and well organized. Cantwell Hall and Austin Hall serve as the two main academic buildings: one houses humanities subjects such as art, music, and English, while the other focuses on STEM fields including robotics, mathematics, and science. Together with the gymnasium, heated swimming pool, and student commons, the campus feels like a fully equipped mini college.

The campus is always full of energy. With 17 athletic teams, 30 student clubs spanning academics, arts, and personal interests, and 21 elective courses, students are offered abundant opportunities to explore and expand their learning. International students make up approximately 25% of the student body, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where students from diverse cultural backgrounds integrate easily and grow together.

Academic Excellence

Personalized Growth Within a Robust AP Framework

Introduced by the Academic Dean, we learned that Villanova Prep is fully returning to an AP-centered curriculum. The school currently offers 20 AP courses, with more being added each year, alongside a wide range of honors courses to support students seeking academic rigor. Many students choose to take four or more AP courses simultaneously. While the academic pace is demanding, students are able to manage it effectively through structured planning and, in the process, build strong and systematic academic foundations.

Members of the GE visiting group also sat in on classes to experience Villanova’s real classroom environment firsthand. Highlights included an AP Psychology class where students explored the importance of sleep and its biological foundations through group presentations; an AP Biology–related project in which students conducted DNA analysis on California condor chicks to determine gender and support species conservation; and STEM-focused students combining AP Chemistry and Physics in interdisciplinary learning that strengthens both analytical thinking and hands-on skills.

The school also offers a dedicated Wildcat Period each afternoon after classes, providing structured study time and targeted academic support. Seniors use this time to work closely with college counselor Miss Lim on university applications, while ninth graders focus on building strong foundations through vocabulary development, study skills training, and exam preparation as they adjust to high school life. Counselors also help students plan courses aligned with their intended majors—STEM-oriented students emphasize physics, chemistry, and computer science, while humanities-focused students deepen their studies in social sciences—ensuring every effort is purposeful and well directed.

Campus Life

A Supportive Environment Balancing Structure and Warmth

After gaining a thorough understanding of the academic programs, we shifted our focus beyond the classroom to experience the campus environment and daily life at Villanova Prep, gaining a direct sense of the school’s culture and community.

1. Boarding and Student Management

The boys’ dormitory is located in Cantwell Hall and remains closed during class hours (8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) to minimize distractions and foster a focused learning atmosphere. Seniors are eligible for single rooms, allowing for greater independence. Boarding and day students attend classes together and share campus resources, forming a close-knit and unified school community.

2. Faith and Inclusivity

As a Catholic school, Villanova Prep has an on-campus chapel and is home to two resident Augustinian friars. Students are required to take one theology course each year and attend Mass twice a month. At the same time, the campus culture is open and inclusive, with non-Catholic students making up a majority of the student body. Theology classes are engaging and accessible, while Mass provides students with moments of reflection and inner calm. Through exposure to different beliefs and traditions, students learn respect, inclusivity, and live out the school’s core values of unity, truth, and love.

3. Holistic Development

In the arts, the school offers a wide range of programs including digital music production, choir, and theater. Many activities take place after school, allowing students to pursue creative interests without compromising academic commitments.

Athletics are another strong pillar of campus life. The school is equipped with a fitness center, track, tennis courts, and outdoor basketball courts. Sports such as basketball, golf, and soccer follow year-round training models, with up to 70 games played across seasons. Many coaches come from club-level professional backgrounds, and newly introduced cheerleading and dance programs further expand athletic opportunities for students.

International students receive clear guidance regarding athletic participation. Students entering in grade 9 may compete immediately, while transfer students in grade 10 or above complete a half-season sit-out period—participating in training but not official games. With early completion of required documentation, students can transition smoothly into competitive seasons.

4. Dining and Daily Convenience

The dining hall serves hot meals, a salad bar, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and ice cream daily, and regularly features Asian cuisine such as Chinese dishes, udon noodles, and Vietnamese pho. Students may even communicate dietary preferences directly with the kitchen staff. Approved food delivery services such as DoorDash are allowed under school guidelines, with restrictions only during evening study hours and Sunday formal dinners. A nearby Chinese restaurant also provides an extra sense of comfort for students far from home.

The on-campus dining program offers daily hot meals, salad and sandwich bars, fresh fruit, and ice cream, with rotating Asian-inspired options. Except during evening study periods and Sunday formal dinners, students are permitted to order from approved delivery platforms under school supervision, adding flexibility and convenience to daily life.

College Placement Advantage

The Strategic Edge of a California Education

At the student center, Director of Admission Ms. Suzanne Feldman delivered a comprehensive presentation covering the school’s philosophy, academic structure, extracurricular programs, college outcomes, and the latest tuition information. Her clear and detailed overview provided valuable insight into the school’s overall profile.

During the Q&A session, much of the discussion focused on applications to the University of California (UC) system—a topic of great interest to many families. Globally renowned institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego remain top choices for students worldwide. Villanova Prep has demonstrated consistently strong results in UC admissions, with students admitted to various UC campuses nearly every year, performing well above average.

A key advantage lies in the UC system’s preference for in-state applicants. With similar academic profiles, students attending California high schools are more competitive for top campuses such as UCLA and UC Berkeley. As a result, Villanova Preparatory School has become a strategic choice for families targeting the UC system.

To further support college applications, the school offers a dedicated College and Career Seminar for upper-grade students, covering PIQ (Personal Insight Question) writing strategies and hands-on workshops. For international students, college counselor Miss Lim provides especially attentive support, meeting directly with parents, answering questions promptly, and keeping families informed throughout the application process—offering reassurance even from afar.

From rigorous academic planning to vibrant campus life, from cultural inclusivity to professional college counseling, Villanova Preparatory School combines a century of tradition with forward-looking innovation. Whether students are aiming for academic excellence, personal passion development, or admission to top California universities, Villanova Prep stands as a strong and reliable partner on their journey toward future success.