Arden House: A Century-Old Home Renewed as a Community Place for Poly

Built in 1923, the house now known as Arden House has stood in the Poly neighborhood for more than a century. Now restored, it has a new role in the Poly community. It is home to Head of School John Bracker and his wife, Rachel Countryman, an Upper School Math Teacher and Learning Support and Transitions Coordinator. But Arden House is more than a residence for the Head of School: it’s a new place for the Poly community to gather, connect, and celebrate. 

John and Rachel moved into the house in August from the previous Head of School residence on Catalina Avenue, which will now become rental housing, with priority given to Poly faculty and staff. Soon after, the New Family Welcome Reception as well as the Head of School Donor Club Reception offered Poly community members one of the first opportunities to gather at the home. While the receptions were not the first events held at Arden House, they marked a new chapter for the property as a place for the broader Poly community to connect.

The house was renovated over the course of a year, with special consideration for sustainability and ADA access. “We just brought the home back to its original glory,” said Director of Facilities Dale Rasmussen, who led the work.

The team worked within the home’s existing structure, preserving as much as possible while adapting the space for its new role. “We saved as many walls as we could,” Dale said, “and then repaired anything else that needed to be repaired.” The house remains on its original footprint, with several areas repurposed to better accommodate gatherings. The first floor is now all one level and includes an ADA-accessible bathroom, while a second accessible bathroom is located in the backhouse, which also provides space for catering and entertaining.

The team reused materials wherever possible. Much of the concrete removed from the old driveway was salvaged and incorporated into new hardscape throughout the property. Although most of the fixtures had to be replaced, the original hardware was preserved. Manager of Facilities Rudy Chavarria, who has experience repolishing brass, restored the pieces. “He did a wonderful job on bringing that back to life,” Dale said.

Michele Antenorcruz, P ’17, ’20 a landscape architect who also redesigned Arden Lawn, designed the landscaping with sustainability in mind. Nearly all of the plantings are California natives that can withstand dry conditions. “The Arden House front garden includes 100% California native meadows, a swale to capture rainwater, and the reuse of concrete that came from the old driveway,” Michele said. “These are examples of Poly’s commitment to sustainability and honoring the students’ desires to address climate change on our campus and beyond.”

A small pond extends that approach, collecting rainwater from the roof. Some of the gutters connect to underground pipes, directing water into the pond, allowing it to percolate into the ground.

The acquisition and renovation were funded through fundraising and cash reserves, not tuition, with the purchase also partially funded through the sale of property that was not adjacent to campus. The restoration has also been welcomed by neighbors, many of whom have expressed appreciation for Poly’s investment in the property. After years in need of significant care and repair, the renewed home offers a new way for Poly to engage with the surrounding neighborhood while preserving the character of a century-old house.

“A thriving K-12 community has always been central to Poly’s excellence,” John said. “With 981 Arden, we have a new place to welcome and host community members in a beautiful setting right next door to the Upper School campus. The opportunity to come together here is a gift we’ll celebrate for years to come.”