Historical Timeline of Our School
1946
Founding of “The Happy Valley School,” a co-educational boarding school, grades 10-12 with Rosalind Rajagopal as a School Board member and Vassar’s retired philosophy professor, Dr. Guido Ferrando, as the first Head of School (a position he held for the first three years of the school).
1947
Happy Valley School enrollment increases to 18 students, 10 teachers; mathematics teacher, David Young brings an exceptionally high level of folk dancing to the students and school community.
1948
First publication of “Out Of This Year,” a collection of prose, poetry, and artwork created by the students of Happy Valley School, the school’s “yearbook.”
1949
Dr. Ferrando resigns for health reasons. Rosalind Rajogapol is appointed “Acting Director” in spring 1950; eventually the “Acting” is dropped, and she serves for many years.
1950-51
Aldous Huxley gives commencement address titled “Aún Aprendo,” which means I am still learning. It becomes the school’s motto.
1957
Former faculty member Franklin Lacey went on to co-author the book for “The Music Man” with Meredith Wilson which opened on Broadway in 1957. Lacey joined the Happy Valley Foundation Board in 1959.
1956-57
Beatrice Wood, renowned ceramicist begins lecturing and teaching.
1972
Architect Paul Hoag designs house for Rosalind Rajagopal’s lifetime use, and Beatrice Wood builds house adjacent to Rosalind’s. Both houses later become home to the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts with Rosalind’s living room renamed the Robert Logan Gallery.
1974
Austin Bee, HVS Business Manager and newly elected HV board member, helps establish the school on the Happy Valley land in Upper Ojai.
1979
Dennis Rice named Head of School and serves until 2004.
1990
Fire destroys dormitory spearheading a major fundraising initiative that results in the eventual successful construction of the Phoenix dormitory.
1995
Original walnut orchard succumbs to a confluence of ecological and economic problems necessitating their removal; the loss is mourned by all.
1996
New classrooms completed.
1998
Beatrice Wood dies leaving her folk art collection, private ceramic collection, and 1500 volume art book collection to the Happy Valley Foundation.
2000
Completion of the Zalk Theater; Happy Valley Cultural Center established.
2004
David Anderson named Interim Head of School.
2007
Happy Valley School renamed Besant Hill School of Happy Valley; new strategic plan initiated.
2010
The Beato Atelier, a new arts facility, is completed.
2011
Randy Bertin is named Head of School.
2012
”Portrait of a Graduate” established by faculty/staff curriculum committee.
2013
Construction of faculty/student housing, the Doornink Grove, begins; School’s Strategic Plan, “Our Common Purpose” begins.
2014
Doornink Grove completed along with many campus improvements.
2016
Swimming Pool project is completed and named Lee Sanders Aquatic Center in memory of beloved 1960s alumnus.
2017
Thomas Fire devastates much of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, including Lower Campus structures.
2018
Alex Smith is named CEO of Happy Valley Foundation and Besant Hill School.
2019
Portia Johnson is named Head of School, and Alex Smith, CEO, develop and initiate a new strategic plan for Besant Hill School.
2021
Lower campus rebuild following the Thomas Fire is complete, featuring a state-of-the-art Ceramics Studio, a new maintenance building, and four beautiful faculty homes.
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd
Ojai, CA 93023
contact@airllevant.com
Tel: (805) 646-4343
Fax: (805) 646-4371