Honoring our founders' vision, Archer remains intentional in its practice of teaching girls the way they learn best. Founded on research and supported by expert faculty, this construct prepares girls to become leaders in the 21st century.
Archer was founded in 1995 by three women, Dr. Diana Meehan, Megan Callaway and Victoria Shorr (see below from left to right), all graduates of girls’ schools and all parents of daughters about to enter middle school. Informed by current research on the clear benefits of single sex education for girls and guided by their founding principles of innovation, community and diversity, Archer opened in a converted Pacific Palisades dance studio with just over 30 sixth and seventh grade students.
More than a decade and a half later, Archer’s tremendous growth to 440 students on a seven-acre historic Sunset Boulevard campus is a testament to our role as a model of the renaissance of girls’ schools. Our founders’ basic premise - that girls thrive in a learning environment of their own - is now playing out across the country: since our founding, over 25 girls’ schools have started in the US.
The Archer School for Girls is an educational community that supports and challenges young women to discover their passions and realize their true potential.
- We provide a rigorous, integrated college preparatory curriculum that fosters critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
- We create and sustain a collaborative teaching and learning environment that explores and refines the ways girls learn best.
- We help girls to become leaders and life-long learners, strengthening their capacity to contribute positively to their communities.
- We strengthen girls' voices in a diverse and culturally rich environment.
- We embrace possibility, promote challenge-seeking and support risk-taking.
- We encourage girls to develop meaningful relationships with peers and faculty rooted in honesty, respect and responsibility.
- We graduate courageous, committed and ethical young women who take responsibility for their own physical, financial and emotional well-being.
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment430
Diversity
31% Students of Color. Students come from 134 different elementary and secondary schools and from 75 different zip codes throughout the city.
Student Life
30+ clubs and activities, most student-initiated and student-led
Financial Aid
29% of students receive some form of financial assistance. Nearly $2.8 million in financial aid was awarded for the 2011-2012 school year.
Course Offerings
115 courses taught, including 11 APs. 79% of juniors and seniors currently take an AP course.
National Recognitions
4 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists (Class of 2012)
1 National Merit Scholar Commended Student (Class of 2012)
2 National Hispanic Scholars (Class of 2012)
College Guidance
Of the Class of 2011, 71% were admitted Early Decision to the college of their choice compared to the national average of 40%.
Faculty
65
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
63%
Faculty of Color 20%
Student/Teacher Ratio 7:1
Average Class Size
16
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Memberships National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), College Entrance Examination Board, Online School for Girls, A Better Chance (ABC), Richstone Educational Enterprise Project (REEP), The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs, and Educational Records Bureau (ERB) |