About

Our History & Mission

We offer a challenging academic program with a difference: intellectual inquiry is active, learning is interactive, the disciplines are interrelated, and analysis and creativity thrive simultaneously. The acquisition of knowledge becomes authentic and joyous.

A Brief History:

In 1965, Dyke Brown opened The Athenian School in the foothills of Mt. Diablo. Unusual for its time, when almost all boarding schools were single gender and not admitting students of color, Athenian was coeducational and successfully recruited students of color and international students. Brown knew that a community that drew upon the talents of many different kinds of students would best enrich the learning environment for everyone. Originally a boarding only school, Athenian added a Middle School in the late 1970s (day students) and the day student population in the Upper School surpassed the boarding student population in the 1990s.

Brown grew up in the Bay Area. After graduating Piedmont High School in 1931 he spent several months at the Salem School in Germany where he met Kurt Hahn, the school founder. Hahn was known for his visionary approach to education (he also founded Outward Bound and the United World College Movement).
It was Hahn’s educational philosophy–with an experiential approach at the center–that most influenced Brown and the founding of Athenian years later. As Hahn said, “I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self denial, and above all, compassion.”
 
Brown envisioned a school where students would be able to let their natural and innate curiosity and goodness thrive through their teenagehood so when they did finally “meet” the world, they would have a strong inner core. Athenian has held steadfast to pursuing active learning as it prepares young people for lives of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.






Our Mission:

The Athenian School prepares students for the rigorous expectations of college and for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment. 
 
We offer a challenging academic program with a difference: intellectual inquiry is active, learning is interactive, the disciplines are interrelated, and analysis and creativity thrive simultaneously. The acquisition of knowledge becomes authentic and joyous.
 
We cultivate the personal qualities of each student to become an integrated human being with integrity, strong moral character, aesthetic sensitivity, and physical well being. The Athenian community requires students to face life directly through open communication, while developing their inner strength to exceed their perceived potential and emerge compassionate, responsible adults.
We instill an appreciation of the reciprocal relationship between the individual and cultures, society and the natural world. We value the power and beauty of multiculturalism within our diverse community. We embrace the principles of democratic governance, stewardship of the environment, respect for human dignity, and service as a way of life.
 
By providing an atmosphere of intellectual, artistic, and physical challenge within the warmth of a nurturing community, we develop in our students the confidence and skills required to meet the complexities of their future.
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