A History of Giving

Philanthropy A HISTORY OF GIVING AT LJCDS

Since its founding in 1926, La Jolla Country Day School has relied on private donations from parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. In fact, an ljcds education is funded by both tuition and philanthropy. Together, these revenue streams fund a blend of traditional and progressive curriculum and instruction that prepares students for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility.

Designed by architect and parent, Frederick Liebhardt, the newly renamed La Jolla Country Day School moves to its current location on Genesee Avenue.

1930  1940  1950 

Almost 100 years ago, Louise Balmer opens her school, with just four students and three teachers.

Balmer School moves to Wisteria Cottage in downtown La Jolla loaned by Ellen and Roger Revelle, marking the first documented instance of parent philanthropy. 1960  1970 

• New headmaster Don Leavenworth joins LJCDS and begins new traditions like establishing the school’s colors (inspired by his alma mater, Yale), adding a

French program and starting school spirit days. • Enrollment grows by more than 100 students.

• A successful capital campaign raises more than $450,000 ($4,000,000 in today’s dollars) to build its new campus on

Genesee Avenue.

We are grateful to forward- thinking donors who have made transformational gifts to the school, providing necessary resources to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and exploration. Those gifts include but are not limited to The Jacobs Family Library, The Four Flowers Theater and Ings Family Field.

1980  1990  2000  2010  2020 

La Jolla Country Day School will be neither a servant of tradition or a slave to an unproven theory but will use both the old and the new if they help educate the child.