Monterey Bay Academy: A Seaside Boarding School Where Learning Meets the Pacific

Located on the central coast of California and right next to the Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay Academy enjoys an exceptional natural setting. Nestled between the hills and the sea, the campus offers open views, with the beach just a short walk away. Accompanied by ocean breezes and sunshine, learning and daily life naturally blend together here. This unique location and campus atmosphere set the school apart among U.S. boarding high schools.

During this visit, we were joined by Mr. Kevin, who served as our guide and led us into this distinctive seaside boarding school. As the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Monterey Bay Academy, Kevin is deeply involved in the school’s overall development and admissions planning, and he has a comprehensive and detailed understanding of campus culture and student life.

Following Kevin’s footsteps, we began to unlock the surprises hidden throughout the campus, gradually unveiling the charm of Monterey Bay Academy. From academic buildings to the beach, from dormitories to the aviation center, every corner carries warmth and strength unique to this coastal school.

Grunke Hall

Standing outside Grunke Hall, Kevin first outlined the overall layout of the campus: downhill lies the athletic area; in front are the academic buildings; further up are the dormitories and dining hall; and on the distant hillside are the homes of faculty and staff. With 85% of students living on campus and all teachers rooted here as well, the school feels more like a closely connected big family.

Looking up, the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean fills the view. The school owns a one-kilometer private beach, and the forest path known as “The Cut” serves as an exclusive passage to the sand. On the other side of campus stretch vast farmlands—this region is known as the “Salad Bowl of America,” supplying 80% of the nation’s fruits and vegetables. Strawberries, artichokes, and carrots thrive here. The farmland is leased to local farmers, and fresh produce is supplied directly to the campus.

Far from the noise of the city, the campus has controlled access for visitors, making it both safe and peaceful. The climate is pleasant year-round, with only light rainfall in winter (from now until February) and mostly clear skies the rest of the year. Even more surprising are the remnants of a World War II military base hidden on campus, now transformed into academic and residential spaces. With a 76-year history, the school has deep roots on the West Coast.

Chapel

Entering the chapel inside the academic building, Kevin explained the school’s core foundation in detail. As a school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which focuses on healthcare and education, Monterey Bay Academy is part of the second-largest private education system in the United States. It is also a sister school to Rio Lindo, which we visited at our previous stop.

With only 142 students in total, the small size allows for an exceptional level of attention. The school maintains a 100% graduation rate and a 98% college placement rate (with 2% entering community colleges or vocational schools). Students here naturally view high school as a stepping stone to university, and the academic atmosphere is strong.

In terms of religion, the environment is highly inclusive. About 70% of students come from church families, while the remaining 30% include Catholics, other Christian denominations, and even non-believers. Students attend religious activities on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings (in relaxed formats such as bonfires, music, and storytelling), as well as one religion course per year. Participation is not forced; the courses focus more on historical and cultural understanding, with introductory classes designed for international students without a religious background. The core values emphasized are kindness and respect.

History Classroom and Library

Walking into the Monterey Bay Academy library, the first impression is quiet yet open. Large floor-to-ceiling windows bring natural light inside, making studying feel relaxed and focused. The library offers both quiet corners for independent reading and writing, as well as group discussion areas for collaborative work. It is not only a place for research and essays, but also one of the easiest spaces for students to truly immerse themselves academically.

The design of the history classrooms is especially thoughtful. Desk arrangements match teaching styles, and some classrooms face the bay, where students may occasionally see whales spouting water. On very sunny days, curtains are drawn to avoid distractions. Core academic classes typically have 20–25 students, while specialized electives often have fewer than 10. For example, the speech and debate class has only three students, allowing for extensive teacher guidance.

The school places great emphasis on experiential learning. Every two years, students take a history trip, rotating between destinations such as Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. During breaks, international students may travel to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other cities. In the library, students may bring their own laptops (the school does not require one), or use shared computers and printers for group discussions or independent study. Notably, students are required to store their phones in the dormitories during the day and can retrieve them only after classes end, effectively improving focus.

Technology Building

The technology building offers many hidden gems of courses. In the art classroom, students are designing and building their “dream homes,” exploring drawing, sculpture, and architectural design. A campus art exhibition is held each spring, and students may even participate in local art projects. A black-and-white darkroom preserves traditional photography techniques, allowing students to develop film by hand.

In the woodworking shop, students start with simple projects like cutting boards and chessboards, then progress to complex wooden puzzles and clocks, fully developing hands-on skills. There are also practical courses in auto repair and vehicle maintenance. The most intensive offering is the emergency medical course: upper-grade students learn first aid and CPR, and may intern with ambulances in San Francisco, directly participating in emergency response scenarios.

Central Activity Area

The campus slopes gently toward the sea, with the central activity area serving as a student gathering place. It features a stage for outdoor graduation ceremonies and a disc golf course, where students aim frisbees into metal baskets. Near the fire pit known as the “Senior Circle,” Friday night religious activities are regularly held. After singing and storytelling, students sit together roasting marshmallows and eating donuts, with the ocean as a stunning backdrop.

As a coeducational school, this area serves as a designated social space for students, avoiding unsupervised movement between dorms while ensuring safety and providing healthy opportunities for interaction.

Girls’ Dormitory

The girls’ dormitory is divided by grade level, with grades 9 and 10 on the lower floors and grades 11 and 12 upstairs. Most rooms offer ocean views. Rooms are double occupancy and come standard with beds, wardrobes, desks, and private sinks. Students are free to decorate their rooms and may bring personal mini-fridges for snacks.

The common areas are highly practical: living rooms include TVs, a piano, and group study tables, with a dean on duty 24/7. The kitchen is available for student cooking (meat is allowed, though the cafeteria serves vegetarian meals). Girls often showcase their cooking skills here, while the boys’ dorm tends to feature instant noodles and simple meals. Dorm management is strict: dorms are locked during class hours to prevent students from returning to rest, locked again at 10:00 p.m., and reopened at 6:00 a.m. Students must register when leaving campus, which remains closed and secure.

Boys’ Dormitory

The boys’ dormitory has a similar layout to the girls’, but with a more “rugged” style. The common area is a true “man cave,” featuring a large TV for watching sports and relaxing on weekends. The kitchen is larger than that of the girls’ dorm, supporting more hands-on use.

Dorm deans live at the end of the dormitories like guardians of a big family, on call 24/7, and even share their personal phone numbers with parents for direct communication. Management focuses on guidance rather than force: lights out at 10:00 p.m., students required to be in their rooms by 10:15; Wi-Fi shuts off at 10:30 for lower grades and at midnight for upper grades. Deans regularly patrol the halls, paying attention to students’ academics and well-being, preventing bullying and other negative behaviors. Newly arrived international students are also paired with roommates from different countries to support English development.

Aviation Center

The aviation center is undoubtedly one of the school’s signature strengths. An art teacher also serves as the aviation instructor, guiding students into the world of flight—from drone simulation training to gliders and powered aircraft, and even aircraft design and construction using advanced materials such as carbon fiber.

The school has three licensed flight instructors and multiple professional simulators. Students may begin electives as early as 9th grade, and within four years may qualify to earn a private pilot license (with additional tuition of USD 15,000–20,000; exams available from age 17). The drone program is especially efficient: students can earn a commercial drone license within one semester, with drone pilots in the U.S. earning up to USD 400 per hour. Even more impressive, students can earn 12 college credits, paving the way for aviation-related university applications, and some graduates have been directly hired by aviation companies.

Admissions

Walking along the campus path to the beach, soft sand and blue ocean come together, making it an ideal place for students to relax and take photos. On the way back, Kevin explained admissions details: the school accepts one-year programs (ideal for European students completing graduation credits). Applications require English proficiency scores, recommendation letters, and transcripts, and the school assists with notarization, I-20 forms, and visa procedures.

Dining Hall

The dining hall focuses on plant-based vegetarian meals in line with the church’s health philosophy, but students are not restricted from bringing or ordering meat-based food. The chef team comes from the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States, and the menu rotates every four weeks. Tofu, cheese, soy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables are combined into diverse flavors, keeping meals interesting even when eaten daily. New lounge areas and basketball and golf facilities have also been added near the dining hall, allowing students to relax before and after meals.

From academic buildings to the beach, from hands-on classes to flight training, Monterey Bay Academy offers students a “second home” through its small yet refined scale, inclusive atmosphere, rigorous programs, and breathtaking environment. Here, there are no cold rules—only family-like companionship; no one-size-fits-all education—only personalized paths for growth.