At Polytechnic School, our name conveys both a sense of our history and of our philosophical base. Polytechnic literally means “many arts,” and since 1907, Poly has been a place where students become multi-talented, intellectually ambitious citizens of the world. On any given day, our community overflows with activities and ideas that challenge and inspire us—adults and students alike. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time member of our community, I encourage you to explore the Poly website, where the range of programs, events, athletic competitions, and performances put our name into action.

As a K-12 school, we are able to create a coordinated sequence of learning across all grades and developmental stages. Our Lower, Middle, and Upper School programs provide continuity for students and allow Poly teachers to invest deeply in each child's progress over the long term. One of the great joys of working for Poly is to watch children and families from all walks of life grow up here together, in a community that is full of friendship, creativity, and intellectual ambition.

While Poly is nationally recognized for the strength of its programs, the lessons we hope our students take with them transcend those measured by test scores and matriculation lists. A Poly education goes far beyond getting into college—it inspires a lifelong thirst for knowledge, an appreciation of individuality, and a true desire to be of service in the larger world. Our graduates leave Poly ready to fulfill the promise of their own talents and to lead meaningful, purposeful lives.


John Bracker
Head of School

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Land Acknowledgement

A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of this land. Normally, land acknowledgements are presented at the beginning of public events, gatherings, and sporting events. Educational institutions like Poly should vocalize our land acknowledgement before any and every large gathering we have as a school for the following reasons:
  1. Indigenous peoples are in an ongoing genocide that has lasted for centuries, and as allies, we need to step up and join them; land acknowledgements are the first step to doing this. 
  2. Land acknowledgements are a necessary first step toward honoring the original occupants of any place because they help people recognize and respect Indigenous peoples’ inherent kinship beliefs when it comes to the land (especially since those beliefs were restricted for so long). They aren’t about placing blame; rather, they are intended to recognize how systemic and institutional systems of power have oppressed Indigenous peoples, and how that oppression has influenced the way non-Indigenous people perceive and interact with Indigenous peoples.
We are on Tongva land. We recognize the Tongva people's resistance against displacement, erasure, and oppression by European colonial settlers. Members of the Tongva tribe are still here (those who never left and those who have returned), and we recognize them as the past, present, and future stewards of this land. As guests on these lands, we owe our commitment to caring for the environment we now share and upholding the indigenous legacy for the future generations to come.