Overview
Capturing 75 years of tradition in Santa Barbara, Laguna Blanca School is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school for students in grades K-12. Its innovative program enriches the lives of students through a balance of outstanding academics, the arts, athletics, and a community that celebrates the dignity and worth of each individual. On beautiful campuses within a safe, nurturing environment, dedicated faculty and staff inspire success. Small classes offer individual attention and close interpersonal exchanges. Laguna graduates attend the nation’s most selective colleges and universities, often one of their top-choice schools. Committed to diversity, Laguna Blanca School offers a substantial need-based financial aid program.
History
On land in Hope Ranch made available by Mr. Harold Chase for the establishment of a college preparatory independent school, Edward Selden Spaulding and three of his colleagues from the Deane School founded Laguna Blanca School in 1933. With Mr. Spaulding as the first headmaster, the School opened its doors to 45 young men and graduated its first official class four years later in 1937.
Each year to keep pace with increasing enrollment, the School added new buildings, classrooms, and science labs, growing from a six acre campus to the approximate 35 acres that houses the school today. In 1942, Laguna became coeducational, and in 1957, the School added a kindergarten to complete a full range of elementary and secondary classes.
The year 2000 proved pivotal in the history of Laguna Blanca with the acquisition of a new Lower School site in Montecito. Offering bright classrooms with science, music, art, computer, and library facilities, the Lower School expansion provided a wonderful learning space for our youngest students and allowed for welcomed growth in grades 5-12 on the Hope Ranch campus. Through the vision of its founders and the generosity of parents, alumni, and friends of the School, Laguna continues to provide an exceptional educational experience that allows its students to become scholars and leaders and its graduates to gain acceptance to the nation’s most selective colleges and universities.
