Besant Hill School
This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (February 2018) |
Besant School of Happy Valley | |
---|---|
Location | |
, United States | |
Coordinates | 34°26′22″N 119°11′10″W / 34.4395°N 119.1860°WCoordinates: 34°26′22″N 119°11′10″W / 34.4395°N 119.1860°W |
Information | |
Type | Private, Boarding, Day |
Established | 1946 |
Head of school | Portia Johnson |
Faculty | 26 |
Enrollment | 104 (90% Boarding) |
Average class size | 9 students |
Student to teacher ratio | 4:1 |
Campus size | 520 acres (2.1 km2) |
Color(s) | Navy Blue and Green |
Mascot | Coyote |
Nickname | Happy Valley, Besant Hill |
Website | www |
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley, formerly the Happy Valley School, is an American private, coeducational boarding school and day school in Ojai, California.[1][2] The school has approximately 100 students and about 35 faculty and staff, all of whom live on or near campus. The faculty to student ratio is 1:4 and the average class size is 10. Currently there are 62 courses available, including AP. In the 2017/18 school year there are 13 states and 22 countries represented in the student body.[3] The school is best known for its scenic location, sense of community, rigorous academics, and expansive arts program. An environmental science and sustainability program is coupled with a working garden/farm on campus.
History[]
An educational community was envisioned by Annie Besant, which later took the form of a secondary school that was founded by , Aldous Huxley, J. Krishnamurti, and Rosalind Rajagopal. The school is on 520 acres (210 ha) of land that was bought in 1927 by Besant.[4][5] It opened on October 1, 1946 as the Happy Valley School with Dr. Ferrando serving as the first Head of School.[6] The school was later renamed in July 2007 in Besant's honor. In 2017, the school celebrated its 70th year.[7]
Notable founders/faculty members[]
- Annie Besant – Main Founder of the school, prominent women's rights activist and president of the theosophical society
- Rosalind Rajagopal – Main Founder of the school and long-time Director.
- Aldous Huxley – Main Founder of the school (along with Rosalind) – author of Brave New World, and many other novels
- Jiddu Krishnamurti – An Indian speaker and writer on philosophical and spiritual subjects.
- Franklin Lacey – Long-time faculty member and Head of School – co-wrote the famous musical The Music Man
- Beatrice Wood – Long-time faculty member – A famous artist and studio potter involved in the Avant Garde movement in the United States
Notable alumni[]
- Alex J. Mandl – Chairman of Gemalto, board member of Dell Computers, former Chairman of AT&T[9]
- Tom Pollock – Co-founder of The Montecito Picture Company and former Chairman of Universal Studios and producer of Juno, Up in the Air and Hitchcock[10]
- Kaffe Fassett – An American-born artist who is best known for his colourful designs in the decorative arts.
- Cheryl Crane – Writer and daughter of Lana Turner[11]
- Lisa Marie Presley – Daughter of Elvis Presley[citation needed]
- Ron Cooper (artist) - Artist, founder of beverage company Del Maguey
- Frazier Mohawk - Music producer, photographer, publicist, circus owner, farmer
References[]
- ^ "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley". business.ojaichamber.org. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2014-09-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "WBSA | Besant Hill School of Happy Valley". www.wbsa.net. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley Homepage". Besanthill.org. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
- ^ "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley - The Association of Boarding Schools - TABS". www.boardingschools.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ "Celebrate 70 – The Campaign for Besant Hill School of Happy Valley". Celebrate70.com. 1946-10-01. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
- ^ GregoryGraphics.com. "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley". www.happyvalleyfdn.org. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- ^ Keller, John J. (December 16, 1994). "Tough Newcomer: Alex Mandl Is Crafting Aggressive Strategy For Future of AT&T --- His `Fat Minutes' Campaign Is Plumping Up Profits With a Slimmer Staff --- Loading the Digital Pipeline". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Tom Pollock HVS '60 - (4/10/43 - 08/01/2020)". www.besanthill.org. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
- ^ Crane, Cheryl (1988). Detour: A Hollywood Story. New York: Arbor House/William Morrow. p. 207. ISBN 0-87795-938-2.
External links[]
- High schools in Ventura County, California
- Boarding schools in California
- Ojai, California
- Private high schools in California
- 1946 establishments in California
- Educational institutions established in 1946
- Monuments and memorials to Annie Besant