When OVS founder Ed Yeomans declared that Integer Vitae would be the school’s motto, he set in motion a tradition that continues to this day. Integrity, self-respect, respect for others, and honesty are not just words at OVS – they are a way of life. We expect students to be positive, enthusiastic participants in the school community, and in turn they thrive in an environment that fosters independence and personal growth.

At Upper Campus, 110 students from around the world live and learn alongside 25 teachers, coaches, and dorm parents on a magnificent hillside 195-acre campus near the Los Padres National Forest. Whether in the classroom, the dorms or the athletic fields, students are exposed to a small, nurturing and well-balanced program, both academic and social.

Students enjoy time with friends in the dining hall, hanging out by the pool or dorms. They eagerly join forces for community service projects, like the Relay for Life, and support each other during sports games and camping trips. Throughout the year, student life is punctuated with special events and activities, including the Festival of Talent, Prom, themed dress days, Spudfest, and countless weekend excursions. We expect our students to work hard, but we also enjoy a relaxed school setting where students can have fun together and be themselves.