Explore our Workplace and Current Job Opportunities
The Thacher School is a premier destination renowned for academic excellence, innovative teaching, and a supportive culture that inspires scholars worldwide. This profile delivers deep insights into the institution’s dynamic workplace and world-class environment. Browse the latest openings below, then navigate to the full The Thacher School jobs portal for a complete list of faculty positions and academic opportunities.
Latest Jobs at The Thacher School -
View All The Thacher School Jobs
Are you searching for The Thacher School Jobs? This elite private boarding school in Ojai, California, offers exceptional academic careers for educators passionate about shaping young minds. With a legacy dating back to 1889, The Thacher School combines rigorous academics, outdoor education, and a renowned equestrian program, attracting top talent in teaching and administration. Faculty positions at The Thacher School include roles in mathematics, sciences, humanities, and arts, often with residential responsibilities that foster deep community bonds.
Explore salary ranges for professors and teachers at The Thacher School, from $75,000 for entry-level instructors to over $140,000 for department heads and senior faculty. AcademicJobs.com provides the latest job listings, career advice, and professor ratings through our Rate My Professor platform. Whether you're eyeing lecturer roles, research assistant jobs, or higher education jobs in California, find tailored opportunities here. Uncover trends like growing demand for STEM educators and experiential learning specialists. Search The Thacher School faculty jobs today and advance your academic career amid stunning coastal mountains. Connect with academic jobs in Ojai and beyond.
About The Thacher School
The Thacher School, located in the picturesque Ojai Valley of Ojai, California, is a premier coeducational, independent boarding school for grades 9 through 12. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day Thacher, it began as a boys' school focused on classical education and horseback riding, traditions that define its unique identity today. The school now enrolls about 259 students on its expansive 127-acre campus, which includes academic facilities, dormitories, an equestrian center, observatory, and access to the Los Padres National Forest for outdoor adventures.
Thacher's mission emphasizes developing character, competence, and confidence through a challenging curriculum, experiential learning, and a close-knit community. Key achievements include exceptional college placement—over 99% of graduates attend top-tier universities like Stanford, Yale, and UC Berkeley—and distinguished alumni such as actor Jake Gyllenhaal, musician Joanna Newsom, and business leaders. The school's Gymkhana program, an annual horseback riding competition, is legendary, alongside strong programs in STEM, humanities, arts, and athletics.
Academic departments span English, History & Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science (including biology, chemistry, physics), World Languages (Spanish, French, Chinese), Visual & Performing Arts, and Physical Education. Faculty jobs at The Thacher School often require residential living, coaching, and advising, blending teaching with mentorship. For broader opportunities, check Academic Jobs in California or Academic Jobs in United States. Visit the The Thacher School Website for official details, and explore professor ratings at Rate My Professor.
Thacher's location in sunny Southern California offers a lifestyle enriched by hiking, surfing, and cultural events in nearby Ventura and Santa Barbara. It's ideal for professionals seeking higher education jobs with work-life balance. Trends show increasing hires in science and technology amid national pushes for STEM education. Salaries The Thacher School academia reflect its prestige, competitive with top independents.
Faculty Job Opportunities at The Thacher School
Professor positions The Thacher School and lecturer roles are in high demand, particularly in core academic areas and residential life support. Recent trends from AcademicJobs.com listings and school announcements highlight openings for math teachers, science faculty, English instructors, and department coordinators. Higher education jobs The Thacher School often emphasize interdisciplinary teaching, outdoor integration, and coaching duties, appealing to dynamic educators. Research jobs The Thacher School may involve student projects in environmental science or astronomy via the campus observatory.
Salary expectations start at $75,000 for assistant-level roles, rising with experience. The Thacher School academic opportunities include benefits like housing stipends, tuition remission, and sabbaticals. Check university jobs, lecturer jobs, and research jobs filtered for The Thacher School. In California, these roles compete with public districts but offer prestige and smaller classes (average 12 students).
💼 Mathematics Teacher
Teach algebra through calculus; coach math team. Residential position with competitive pay ~$95k-$120k.
View Math Faculty Jobs🔬 Science Faculty
Lead biology/chemistry labs; integrate outdoor field studies. Salary $85k-$130k based on PhD/experience.
Science Research Jobs📚 English Instructor
Focus on literature and writing; dorm faculty role. Opportunities for creative electives.
English Lecturer Roles🏛️ History Teacher
U.S./World history with debate integration. Entry salaries from $75k.
History Faculty OpeningsWhy Work at The Thacher School
Academic careers at The Thacher School stand out for their holistic appeal. Beyond competitive salaries, faculty enjoy subsidized housing in beautiful Ojai, professional development funding, and tuition benefits for children. The small student body allows for meaningful mentorship, while the outdoor program—hiking, climbing, riding—promotes wellness and innovation in teaching.
Unique perks include the equestrian center for personal use, collaborative culture, and proximity to LA for cultural escapes. Faculty jobs The Thacher School offer tenure-like security after probation, research grants for curriculum development, and leadership paths. Compared to Ivy League schools, Thacher provides intimate impact without urban stress. Trends favor hires with outdoor experience amid rising experiential learning demand. Explore higher ed career advice for transitions.
Salary Guide for Faculty at The Thacher School
📊 Faculty salaries at The Thacher School are competitive for elite private schools, influenced by experience, advanced degrees, residential duties, and department. Researched data from Glassdoor, Niche, and industry reports (2024-2025) show averages around $105,000, higher than California public high school teachers (~$85k) but below Ivy League professors. Entry-level roles suit new PhDs or experienced educators; seniors benefit from longevity pay and leadership bonuses. Location in high-cost Ojai factors in adjustments.
Key factors: 5-10% residential premium, PhD adds $10k+, coaching $5k stipend. Trends: 3-5% annual increases amid inflation. Compare via professor salaries or university salaries. Salaries The Thacher School academia emphasize total compensation including benefits worth 30% more.
| Position | Average Salary | Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Teacher | $85,000 | $75k-$95k | 0-3 years exp. |
| Experienced Teacher | $115,000 | $100k-$130k | 5+ years, MA/PhD |
| Dept. Head | $145,000 | $130k-$160k | Leadership stipend |
| Science Faculty | $110,000 | $90k-$140k | Lab/residential |
| Arts Instructor | $95,000 | $80k-$115k | Creative electives |
| Dean/Admin | $160,000+ | $140k-$200k | Higher Ed Admin |
Visit Professor Salaries for updates. 📍 Ojai's cost of living (index 140) is offset by perks.
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at The Thacher School
Discover top-rated professors at The Thacher School via Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com. Student feedback highlights teaching excellence, course challenge, and clarity—key for course selection. Rate professors The Thacher School to contribute and aid peers. Professor ratings The Thacher School average 4.7/5, reflecting dedication.
Andy Portman
Mathematics Department Head
"Engaging problem-solving expert."
Colleen McKibben
Biology Teacher
"Field trips make science alive."
Polly Guion
English Teacher
"Inspires deep literary analysis."
David Engdahl
History Teacher
"Passionate about global events."
Sarah Schloesser
Spanish Teacher
"Immersion through culture."
Mark Mitchell
Physics Teacher
"Hands-on experiments excel."
Career Progression at The Thacher School
Career paths at The Thacher School follow a structured trajectory: start as instructor, advance to senior teacher, department head, and administrative roles like dean. Tenure-track equivalent after 3-5 years offers stability. Salaries progress from $85k to $160k+. Professional development includes conferences, sabbaticals, and leadership training. Strengths in outdoor ed open unique paths. See higher ed career advice and administration jobs.
Research and Innovation at The Thacher School
Research trends at The Thacher School focus on student-led projects in environmental science, astronomy (Robotics & Astronomy Lab), and sustainability, with collaborations via the Ojai Valley Land Trust. Faculty guide science fairs, publish on experiential learning. Funding from grants supports innovation. Explore research jobs and related opportunities.
Resources for The Thacher School Academics
- Professional development: Annual workshops, NAIS conferences, funded masters programs.
- Benefits: Comprehensive health, 403(b) retirement, housing allowance, meals.
- No faculty union; collaborative governance model.
- Career tools: free resume template, cover letter templates.
- Wellness: Outdoor perks, counseling support.
Student Life and Perspectives at The Thacher School
Student life thrives with 50+ clubs, arts, athletics, and Gymkhana. Career outcomes: 100% college-bound, strong Ivy placements. Choose courses using Rate My Professor ratings. Resources include SAT scores prep, scholarships. Perspectives praise faculty accessibility.