History

Twelve community and business leaders, all parents, came together in July 1999 to create a world-class non-denominational private high school in Sonoma County.

Academic excellence with a global vision.

Our founders envisioned a school that would inspire, challenge and nurture students and prepare them to become leaders in the global community. This vision became reality in fall 2001 -- Sonoma Academy opened with a rich program of academics, sports and arts.

The school’s success since then has been extraordinary.

students

We’ve created a vibrant community of students, teachers and parents. Our graduating classes have been admitted to top colleges and universities – including the UC system, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Yale, Wellesley, Duke and Swarthmore. Our student body has grown, and we've moved into our permanent campus on 34 rural acres bordering over 1000 acres of open space at the end of Kawana Springs Road.

Being there will help us realize our founders' vision of teaching students how to be good stewards of the land, preserving Sonoma County's natural heritage for future generations. It will also help SA become a vital cultural and artistic resource for the community.

Sonoma Academy Founders

SONOMA ACADEMY FOUNDERS

Shown here: Lisa French, Barbara Banke, Beverly Zeigler, Rosalind Manoogian, Greg French, Susan Wynne, Carol Farrow, Katherine Angell, Michalel Draxton, Dorothy Tang, Kirt Zeigler and Nancy Lasseter.

“Sonoma Academy has helped raise the bar for education throughout Sonoma County." - Santa Rosa Councilwoman Janet Condron