Q&A With Kim Barglow ’03, P ’38
By Poly Advancement
Kim Barglow is a Poly alum and now a Poly parent, a meaningful full-circle experience for her. She grew up in South Pasadena and entered Poly in sixth grade, and now her daughter, Noa ’38, is in Kindergarten. Kim says watching Noa begin her journey in the Poly community has been a remarkable experience, especially getting to see the Lower School in a way that’s new to her family. Kim attended Boston College, where she worked as a psychology research assistant for all four years, and then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University. During that time, she realized she wanted to specialize in working with children, adolescents, and families, providing both therapy and assessment. She met her husband, Jesse, also a psychologist, while in graduate school, and they eventually decided to move back to Los Angeles to be close to family and to enjoy everything the area offers, from hiking in the mountains to relaxing at the beach and continuing to pursue the love of tennis that Kim discovered while at Poly. Jesse is the Director of the Outpatient Substance Use Clinic at the Downtown VA Hospital, and Kim has a private practice. After initially living in West Hollywood, the couple moved to Pasadena when they started their family.
Kim Barglow is a Poly alum and now a Poly parent, a meaningful full-circle experience for her. She grew up in South Pasadena and entered Poly in sixth grade, and now her daughter, Noa ’38, is in Kindergarten. Kim says watching Noa begin her journey in the Poly community has been a remarkable experience, especially getting to see the Lower School in a way that’s new to her family. Kim attended Boston College, where she worked as a psychology research assistant for all four years, and then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University. During that time, she realized she wanted to specialize in working with children, adolescents, and families, providing both therapy and assessment. She met her husband, Jesse, also a psychologist, while in graduate school, and they eventually decided to move back to Los Angeles to be close to family and to enjoy everything the area offers, from hiking in the mountains to relaxing at the beach and continuing to pursue the love of tennis that Kim discovered while at Poly. Jesse is the Director of the Outpatient Substance Use Clinic at the Downtown VA Hospital, and Kim has a private practice. After initially living in West Hollywood, the couple moved to Pasadena when they started their family.
Ahead of Giving Day on April 15, PolyNews chatted with Kim about how Poly shaped her as a student and what inspired her to get involved with the Poly Fund.
Looking back, how did Poly shape your experience as a student?
Poly played a huge role in shaping who I became, both as a student and as a person. Poly helped me cultivate independence, persistence, and a genuine curiosity for learning—not a narrow-minded pursuit of good grades or AP test scores, but a true engagement in the process of learning. Beyond academics, I also learned to balance multiple roles as a student, friend, and athlete, and to take each part of my life seriously. Along the way, I developed strong time-management and writing skills. I learned to begin work well in advance of deadlines and to manage additional responsibilities (for instance, serving as a research and teaching assistant while a student, and later as a graduate school lecturer while also participating in clubs and sports activities) without feeling overwhelmed. Poly is where I learned to become comfortable communicating and building relationships with a wide range of people, both peers and teachers, and to connect with people from backgrounds different from my own. That experience has made it much easier for me to advocate for myself throughout my life.
Poly played a huge role in shaping who I became, both as a student and as a person. Poly helped me cultivate independence, persistence, and a genuine curiosity for learning—not a narrow-minded pursuit of good grades or AP test scores, but a true engagement in the process of learning. Beyond academics, I also learned to balance multiple roles as a student, friend, and athlete, and to take each part of my life seriously. Along the way, I developed strong time-management and writing skills. I learned to begin work well in advance of deadlines and to manage additional responsibilities (for instance, serving as a research and teaching assistant while a student, and later as a graduate school lecturer while also participating in clubs and sports activities) without feeling overwhelmed. Poly is where I learned to become comfortable communicating and building relationships with a wide range of people, both peers and teachers, and to connect with people from backgrounds different from my own. That experience has made it much easier for me to advocate for myself throughout my life.
Are there teachers, moments, or traditions that stand out?
There are so many teachers who left a lasting impression on me, particularly those who encouraged me to believe in my abilities and challenged me to grow. When I started high school, I didn’t feel particularly confident in myself as a student. But the consistent encouragement I received from teachers made a real difference. My relationships with Mr. Jolly, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Santochi, and Mr. Pickering helped me see that I was more capable than I thought I was and could push myself in ways I hadn’t believed possible. Beyond the classroom, the OutdoorEd experiences stand out as significant. Those trips pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a stronger sense of self-reliance and confidence. The most significant and enduring aspects of my time at Poly, though, are the friendships that I made. Some of my classmates and teammates remain among my closest friends today. Those relationships, forged in both the happy and the difficult experiences we shared at Poly, have endured and deepened with time, and I’m delighted now to share the experience of being a Poly parent with some of them. There was something special about the environment Poly created—it gave us the space to connect in meaningful ways, whether through shared classes, athletics, or just the everyday rhythms of school life. We grew up together, supported each other, and learned how to truly support one another. I cherish these friendships. They are rooted in our shared experiences and a genuine commitment to understanding, respect, and loyalty. The feeling of community—of being known and valued—was such a defining part of my experience. And it’s a big reason why my time at Poly remains so meaningful to me. (Of course, the memory of Mr. Fletcher hopping on his desk in a pink bunny costume during our Physics midterm will always make me smile as well!)
There are so many teachers who left a lasting impression on me, particularly those who encouraged me to believe in my abilities and challenged me to grow. When I started high school, I didn’t feel particularly confident in myself as a student. But the consistent encouragement I received from teachers made a real difference. My relationships with Mr. Jolly, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Santochi, and Mr. Pickering helped me see that I was more capable than I thought I was and could push myself in ways I hadn’t believed possible. Beyond the classroom, the OutdoorEd experiences stand out as significant. Those trips pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a stronger sense of self-reliance and confidence. The most significant and enduring aspects of my time at Poly, though, are the friendships that I made. Some of my classmates and teammates remain among my closest friends today. Those relationships, forged in both the happy and the difficult experiences we shared at Poly, have endured and deepened with time, and I’m delighted now to share the experience of being a Poly parent with some of them. There was something special about the environment Poly created—it gave us the space to connect in meaningful ways, whether through shared classes, athletics, or just the everyday rhythms of school life. We grew up together, supported each other, and learned how to truly support one another. I cherish these friendships. They are rooted in our shared experiences and a genuine commitment to understanding, respect, and loyalty. The feeling of community—of being known and valued—was such a defining part of my experience. And it’s a big reason why my time at Poly remains so meaningful to me. (Of course, the memory of Mr. Fletcher hopping on his desk in a pink bunny costume during our Physics midterm will always make me smile as well!)
Now returning as a parent, what has it been like to experience Poly again through your child’s eyes?
Watching our daughter Noa experience the joys of the Lower School—her excitement about learning, her connection to her teachers, and her growing confidence—has been inspiring and heartwarming. It feels both familiar and completely new at the same time. I’m also struck by how much she has been exposed to at such a young age (language, music, art, self-reflection) in ways that I wasn’t at the public elementary school I attended. I believe this exposure will embolden her to develop a more authentic sense of her interests by the time she reaches adolescence, which is a wonderful gift. As a parent, I find it reassuring to know that the school administration and teaching staff are so intentional in their approach to every aspect of the curriculum. There’s a clear commitment to education, but always through the lens of child development, which I’ve come to appreciate even more now. I’m also starting to see Noa form friendships that feel significant and lasting, which brings me back to my own experience and reminds me how foundational those early connections can be. It has also been very special to reconnect with classmates in this new phase of life. There are so many children of fellow alumni in her class—especially from my class of 2003—and it has been wonderful to find ourselves back in the same community, now as parents.
Watching our daughter Noa experience the joys of the Lower School—her excitement about learning, her connection to her teachers, and her growing confidence—has been inspiring and heartwarming. It feels both familiar and completely new at the same time. I’m also struck by how much she has been exposed to at such a young age (language, music, art, self-reflection) in ways that I wasn’t at the public elementary school I attended. I believe this exposure will embolden her to develop a more authentic sense of her interests by the time she reaches adolescence, which is a wonderful gift. As a parent, I find it reassuring to know that the school administration and teaching staff are so intentional in their approach to every aspect of the curriculum. There’s a clear commitment to education, but always through the lens of child development, which I’ve come to appreciate even more now. I’m also starting to see Noa form friendships that feel significant and lasting, which brings me back to my own experience and reminds me how foundational those early connections can be. It has also been very special to reconnect with classmates in this new phase of life. There are so many children of fellow alumni in her class—especially from my class of 2003—and it has been wonderful to find ourselves back in the same community, now as parents.
What inspired you to get involved as a Poly Fund Volunteer?
Poly had a powerful and lasting impact on me, and getting involved with the Poly Fund was a natural way to give back and say thank you for the life-changing experience I had as a student. Poly provided me with so many opportunities and relationships that shaped who I am, and supporting the Poly Fund helps to ensure that current and future students will benefit from those same experiences.
Poly had a powerful and lasting impact on me, and getting involved with the Poly Fund was a natural way to give back and say thank you for the life-changing experience I had as a student. Poly provided me with so many opportunities and relationships that shaped who I am, and supporting the Poly Fund helps to ensure that current and future students will benefit from those same experiences.
What excites you about Giving Day?
Giving Day brings the entire Poly community together. Alumni, parents, and friends all show up to support something they care deeply about. There is a sense of connection, of belonging, and of shared purpose. It is a celebration of what makes Poly such a special place—for those of us who were profoundly shaped by our experience years ago, for current students like my daughter Noa, and for students who will enter in the future.
Giving Day brings the entire Poly community together. Alumni, parents, and friends all show up to support something they care deeply about. There is a sense of connection, of belonging, and of shared purpose. It is a celebration of what makes Poly such a special place—for those of us who were profoundly shaped by our experience years ago, for current students like my daughter Noa, and for students who will enter in the future.
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