How about a story about a school that began in a cottage? La Jolla Country Day School started there. This school now stands before you. It prepares students for intellectual exploration and social responsibility.
La Jolla Country Day School started humbly. It began in 1926 in a small cottage. Louise Balmer founded it. She was a widowed teacher from Illinois. Four students and three teachers were there at the beginning.
Balmer was an expert on the Winnetka Plan. This learning model valued innovative teaching. It also included creative activities. It emphasized each child’s social development. La Jolla Country Day School still values these principles today. It celebrates students’ unique character traits.
The school grew quickly. It moved several times to different cottages. In 1942, the Balmer School moved to Wisteria Cottage. Virginia Scripps planted its branches. The cottage belonged to Ellen and Roger Revelle. They were relatives of Scripps. The Revelles rented the property to Balmer. This was the first instance of parent-driven philanthropy for the school.
Louise Balmer was nearing retirement in the 1950s. She partnered with parents to create La Jolla Country Day School. The school received its charter in 1955. It launched a fundraising campaign. The goal was to build a new school. Balmer wanted a school that used both old and new ideas. She said it should educate the child.
Don Leavenworth became the new headmaster in 1957. He established new traditions. He made white and blue the school colors. He added a French program. He offered optional uniforms. He started a letterman sweater day on Fridays.
Parents led a successful fundraising campaign. La Jolla Country Day School raised over $450000. They built a new campus. Parent and architect Frederick Liebhardt designed it. The campus opened in the early 1960s. It resides in the UTC area of San Diego County now.
Many notable figures have visited La Jolla Country Day School. Theodor Geisel visited. He is better known as Dr. Seuss. He sought inspiration for his characters. Jonas Salk addressed the first graduating class in 1964. He developed the polio vaccine. He came back 20 years later. He dedicated the student-built observatory.
Debbie Reynolds filmed a television special at La Jolla Country Day School in 1969. It was titled Debbie Reynolds and the Sound of Children. Nearly 500 students participated. Her children Carrie and Todd Fisher appeared too.
La Jolla Country Day School has grown significantly. It now has over 1100 students. The campus spans 24 acres. It includes a theater and a library. There is also an outdoor amphitheater. You will find a double gymnasium and sports fields. There are tennis courts, labs and art studios too.
La Jolla Country Day School prepares students well. Eighty-seven percent of AP students score 3 or higher. The Class of 2024 received over 630 college acceptances.
The school will celebrate its centennial in 2026. It continues to grow Louise Balmer’s legacy. La Jolla Country Day School is more than just a school. It is a community. It is a place where students can explore and grow.