OA applicants are ready to step out of their comfort zone and embrace their independence in an outdoor classroom. Admissions is need-blind and we operate with a flexible tuition, so you can apply knowing that we want to make OA possible for you.
Welcome & Announcements
Thank you for your interest in The Outdoor Academy! As an OA alum myself, it is a true honor to work alongside the incredible students and faculty of this school, and to support the journey of each new teenager who discovers the OA community.
OA is a place of deep and meaningful connections, impressive intellectual pursuits, thrilling physical adventures, and a deep sense of belonging. It is a school where high schoolers come to share their passions and learn how to live alongside their peers, teachers, and the environment around us. Every single one of the 110 days in an OA semester is filled with joy and laughter, gratitude and reflection, challenge and adventure. It was the most fun, education, and empowering semester of my own high school years, and it could be for you too!
Alongside all of these incredible aspects of OA, we also know that the idea of spending a semester away from “normal life” can be a dauting one. That is where I hope you will let our Admissions Team support you and your family. We are here to answer your questions, share our own OA experiences as alumni, connect you with recent families, and help you figure out your next steps whether you’ve just discovered OA or are already 100% ready to apply.
Below you will find the most up-to-date information about our applications and admissions cycle. If you can’t find an immediate answer to your questions, please let us know! We are available by email (I’m admissions@enf.org), phone, or text (828-808-3501). You can also use my Calendly page to schedule a call or video chat at your convenience. Finally, if you’re in the area, let us know! We love scheduling tours of campus for prospective students and families to see what we’re all about.
So, thanks again for your interest in OA. We can’t wait to meet you!
Sincerely,
Katie Rowlett, OA Admissions Director & Semester 28 Alum
We are now in our rolling admissions phase for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, so we recommend beginning an application as soon as possible. Both applications and tuition requests will be reviewed in the order that we receive them.
All required materials are outlined further down this page. The student will be the one submitting their application materials, but it is perfectly fine for a parent or guardian to submit the initial application form.
If you’re not sure how to get started, please text/call/email us and we’ll be happy to help.
We have capped our tuition for the upcoming academic year, and our updated “flexible tuition” model means that all applicants are eligible to apply for an individualized tuition.
Applications for reduced tuitions are reviewed in the order that we receive them, and we cannot process financial information before receiving an application for admission from the student. So, aim to complete the two parts at the same time in order to expedite your review and enrollment process.
Application Overview & Instructions
Click on any step to learn more. If we have already set up your account, you can log in here.
When you are ready to begin, please submit this Application Form with some basic contact information. With just one click, you’re on your way to a life changing high school experience!
After completing the form, you will receive an email invitation to apply on the SchoolDoc website! Your SchoolDoc account will allow you to submit your application materials in an efficient and easy manner.
Once you submit your application materials on SchoolDoc, you will receive an invitation to an informal conversation with an OA faculty member. We’ll probably have talked with you or your parents/guardians before this. (Seriously, you can call, text, or email us at any time!) However, this will give you personalized time to get to know OA better and ask any questions you have after submitting your application.
After you receive an admissions decision, it’s time to enroll! You’ll submit a tuition deposit and enrollment agreement to secure your spot. Information about interest-free payment plans and our flexible tuition policies can be found here.
What are the application materials?
The OA application consists of two key sections: Application Responses and Supplemental Materials.
Application Questions
- 3 Required Questions: Remember that these are short answer responses, not college essays. One paragraph is just fine.
- 3 Choice Questions: respond to two of the additional prompts as short answers. Then, respond to any third prompt in a creative format that tells us more about you and what you’ll bring to OA. This can truly be anything that is not a written response, whether it’s a video you recorded, a painting, a song, something you cooked, a demonstration of your soccer skills… just have fun with this.
Supplemental Materials
- Two letters of recommendation. Choose two adults who know you well. At least one should be a current teacher. They’ll complete this form to send their response to us.
- Your transcript or school reports from the past two years of school. An unofficial version is fine. There is no specific GPA required to apply to The Outdoor Academy, just a willingness to engage and learn.
Puede descargar una copia en español de la solicitud y el cuestionario para padres/tutores aquí. Póngase en contacto con nosotros si también necesita una traducción de material adicional.
Ready to learn more or not sure where to start? Choose your next step…
OA is possible for you.
We have always worked to make our community supportive and inclusive to all interested students, and we encourage applicants from all socioeconomic circumstances to apply. With our newly capped and flexible tuition model, we hope that OA is more accessible than ever before. Remember, admissions is always need-blind, and need-based scholarships are awarded to over half of our students through our robust financial aid program. Additionally, no matter if your school has worked with a semester school before or if you are on a semester, block, trimester, homeschool, or other schedule, there is a way for you to attend OA. We are committed to doing all we can to make it possible for any qualified student to attend.
No wilderness experience necessary.
Over 1300 students from around the country and the world have attended OA since we first opened our doors to Semester 1 in the fall of 1995. Successful OA alumni have ranged from students who had previously planned their own trek on the Appalachian Trail to those who had never before spent a night out camping. All that we require in an application to OA is a genuine interest in our school and a willingness to engage deeply in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
APPLY TODAY
Your applications profile can be created by submitting this simple form.
Questions about your application or having trouble getting started? Check out our FAQ or get in touch with the Admissions Office. You can email us at admissions@enf.org or text us at 828-808-3501.