Resident Life

Living away from home for the first time can be exciting and, maybe, a bit scary. Fortunately, you will quickly come to consider OVS your second home, a place where you will forge lasting friendships with students from different parts of the country and the world. These friendships form when you discover that no matter how different your backgrounds, you have much in common.

As a resident student, you will be responsible for crew jobs in the dorm and washing your own laundry. You will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in our hilltop dining hall. The dress code is casual. Students are expected to show good sense and taste in determining dress. Clothing must be neat, clean, and modest. Generally, girls wear skirts, jeans or shorts with casual shirts or blouses. Boys wear pants or shorts and t-shirts.  On Tuesday nights, we have a formal dress dinner (pack your jacket and tie) which is sometimes followed by a student art exhibit or guest lecture.

The daily schedule generally begins at 7 a.m. with crew jobs, followed by breakfast and before-school tutoring. Classes begin at 8:20 a.m. and end after seventh-period at 3:10 p.m., except for on Wednesday and Thursday when we have block schedules. Sports are held most days between 3:25-4:55 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and a two-hour evening study hall. Lights out at 10:30 p.m., although students can stay up later to work quietly in their rooms.

On weekends, there are planned activities to add a little fun and relaxation to the academic week. You might hop in a venture van to downtown Ojai or Santa Barbara, catch a Dodgers' game with friends in the dorm, or visit Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for an afternoon of shopping. There may be an organized surf trip, a dance party, a trip to the movie multiplex or simply down time to watch DVDs and eat popcorn in the common room with friends. One thing is certain: as a resident at OVS you will make enduring friendships that will last long after you have graduated.

For more information about the policies and rules at the Upper Campus, please review the 2012/2013 Student Handbook.