We can all stand to be reminded that there is more to life, something bigger, than our own needs and cares. At Thacher, the thousand-pound animal you take care of as part of our
Horse Program is that bigger thing. And so is your dorm, your musical ensemble, your team, and the campus community. Rather than an end in itself, the horse is one of many ways we help our students build empathy and responsiveness to the needs of others, the same resources we draw upon as we commit together to create a community that is
diverse, equitable, and inclusive. This is not an abstract pursuit. Surrounded by peers and mentors who value community responsibility, and with the help of a horse who is more agnostic about such things, students come to see themselves as active contributors with the power to positively impact the lives of others.
This means that lending a hand on
community service projects throughout the Ojai Valley and beyond is often a regular part of a Thacher student’s week, whether they’re serving hot meals to people in need, keeping local seniors company, or joining a trail restoration effort. Or they might be active in big campus
sustainability initiatives, teaming up with other community members to make sure Thacher is playing its part in responsibly stewarding natural resources and wild spaces for generations to come. It also means showing up as a compassionate leader, partner, or collaborator in dorm life, on the athletic field, on the stage with fellow performers—you name it.
Complementing this work in the community is our
academic program, where project-based group work and active collaboration are common ingredients in classroom learning. Assignments and discussion topics regularly connect the dots between school curriculum and local, national, and global current events and social justice issues.