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More Than 110 Years of Ambitious, Creative Education

In 1907, Polytechnic School became the first nonprofit, independent school in Southern California. True to its name and to the educational philosophy of the day, Poly’s curriculum emphasized both academics and manual arts, from English and math to sewing and woodworking.

Today, Poly remains an ambitious, forward-thinking school community. One devoted not only to scholarship but also to the creative arts, the camaraderie of team sports, the joy of service to others, and the welcoming spirit of friendship, here on our historic campus and around the world. 

First Days of Poly

When Polytechnic School began to take shape in the early 20th century, Pasadena was growing fast. The twenty-year-old city was quickly transitioning from a vacation destination for East Coasters into a rich and vibrant place in which to live a full life, with all the amenities of modernity. Nowhere was this evolution more evident than in Poly’s predecessor, the renowned Throop Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1891.

Originally housed at the corner of Green Street and Fair Oaks, the Throop Polytechnic Institute accepted students from the elementary to college level. From the very beginning, the Throop Polytechnic Institute was co-ed and guided by the philosophy that one must learn by doing. The Institute flourished, becoming the main educational attraction of Pasadena, and a significant part of the city’s cultural life. But acclaim and quick growth had a downside; the school was soon bursting at the seams, and in June of 1907 elected to jettison the grammar school to better focus on the college. The move was momentous and ultimately resulted in two of Pasadena’s well-regarded institutions: the California Institute of Technology and Polytechnic School.
With the closing of the grammar school came an uproar from a dedicated group of parents and staff. Under the leadership of Virginia Pease, former head of Throop’s grammar school, they convened a committee on June 17, 1907, to start work on a new school, one that would embrace Miss Pease’s belief that children needed learning beyond textbooks. By the end of August, eighteen donors heeded the call. In short order, a campus site was chosen: an orange grove at the corner of California Street and Catalina Avenue. The land was purchased, and work began immediately. The original school buildings were designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt and feature his revolutionary “open air” school design with residential-scale classrooms and adjacent courtyards and playgrounds. These buildings continue to form the heart of the Lower and Middle School campus more than a century later.


On October 10, 1907, mere months after the original committee meeting, Polytechnic Elementary School opened its doors to the community as California’s first incorporated non-profit grammar school. Enrolling 106 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offered courses from literature and mathematics to woodworking and basket weaving. Under the leadership of Virginia Pease the school and its students flourished; by the end of its first decade, most of the orange trees were long gone, but children grew and thrived at the corner of California and Catalina. Fifty years after the school’s founding, the decision was made to expand the educational program through the 12th grade. Poly’s Upper School campus opened in 1959 under the direction of headmaster Willis Stork, and in 1962, the first senior class graduated. Since then, Polytechnic School has been dedicated to the mission of providing an enriching and inclusive environment in which students can grow into dedicated, creative, and responsible citizens of the world.

Poly Milestones

  • 1907

    Polytechnic School established as first nonprofit, independent school in Southern California.

  • 1910

    First scholarships offered, establishing one of Poly's earliest traditions

  • 1917

    Poly Pet and Hobby Show debuted

  • 1921

    Endowment fund created at Poly

  • 1955

    Willis Stork appointed as Poly’s headmaster

  • 1959

    Upper School incorporated into educational program

  • 1960

    Varsity sports introduced at Poly

  • 1962

    First senior class graduated

  • 1971

    Poly Alumni Association established

  • 1980

    First issue of the Oak Tree Times is published by parent volunteers

  • 1984

    Garland Theatre and Fine Arts Center created to support and expand fine and performing arts program

  • 1988

    First issue of The Paw Print newspaper published by Upper School students

  • 1990

    Skills Enrichment Program founded as a summer outreach program for public school students

  • 2001

    Hixon Internship Program established as mentorship program for Pasadena Community College students pursuing a teaching career

  • 2006

    Poly swimming pool completed

  • 2007

    Poly Centennial celebrated, advancing school into its second century

  • 2008

    The Next 100 Years campaign is launched to update and transform both the North and South Campuses

  • 2011

    Construction complete on the new and renovated areas of the North Campus

  • 2012

    Construction complete on new and renovated areas of the South Campus

  • 2013

    Thousands of donors and volunteers celebrate successful completion of The Next 100 Years campaign

  • 2018

    Garland Performing Arts Center renovated
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Principals and Heads of School

List of 11 items.

  • Virginia Pease Hunt, Principal (1907-1915)

    "The individual, not the class, is the unit of the teacher's interest, and the development of the child's power to think and to do, rather than the following of a certain course of instruction, is the direct aim of every teacher and the excuse for every lesson."

  • Grace Henley, Principal (1915-1946)

    "It pleases us to have so rich a start and so bright an outlook after the first 20 years endeavor ... We have made great gains in our understanding of the child, physically and mentally."

  • Katherine Lee, Principal (1946-1950)

    Gregarious individualist who is well known for transforming Gosney Hall from a study hall into an auditorium by having the fixed desks removed.

  • Appleton A. Mason, Jr., Principal (1950-1955)

    Remembered for his warm and friendly manner and his remarkable height; during his tenure, a building program culminated in the construction of the new primary classroom on the north campus.

  • Willis Stork, Headmaster (1955-1976)

    Under the direction of Willis Stork, the achievements of Poly's graduates in colleges and universities throughout the country established the school's national reputation.

  • John R. Bergen, Headmaster (1976-1980)

    John Bergen brought to the school a deep and abiding commitment to excellence that has been expressed in a supportive, caring environment for students, an advocacy for faculty growth and development and the continual improvement of the curriculum.  

  • Alexander B. Babcock '48, Headmaster (1980-1998)

    Consummate educator, fundraiser, force on campus as illustrious student, president of the student body, teacher and all-encompassing head of Polytechnic School—all done with warmth and genuine savoir-faire.

  • Sarah L. Levine, Head of School (1998-2001)

    Sarah's tenure at Poly was characterized by a reinvigorated strategic plan and increased compensation for faculty.

  • Greg Feldmeth, Interim Headmaster (2001-2002)

    "We at Poly, no matter where on the developmental path we contact students, from the 5-year-olds in kindergarten through the 18-year-old seniors, need to keep focused on the wonderful and important opportunity we have to teach children and young people."

  • Deborah E. Reed, Head of School (2002-2014)

    "A school must be a place that nurtures and encourages students' dreams .... At the heart of every school is the relationship between the student and the teacher, and good teaching is at the heart of Polytechnic School. It is what I value."

  • John W. Bracker, Head of School (2014-present)

    "It is in excellent schools where students learn how to be brave in the face of disappointment, humble in the face of success, and fierce in the face of hypocrisy because the educational program is vivid, thoughtful, rigorous, and compelling."
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