History of LJCDS | Day School in La Jolla, CA
Source: https://www.ljcds.org/about/history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
History of LJCDS | Day School in La Jolla, CA
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History
La Jolla Country Day School started with humble beginnings, founded in a one-room cottage in La Jolla with four students and three faculty members in 1926. Today, the school has grown to a student body of more than 1,100 on a 24-acre campus.
The Balmer School, as LJCDS was once known, was founded in the idyllic village of La Jolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean, by Louise Balmer, a widowed schoolteacher from Illinois.
Balmer, an alumna of Bryn Mawr College, was an expert on the Winnetka Plan, a learning model that advocated for innovative pedagogies in the classroom, expanding education to include creative activities and an emphasis on the socioemotional development of each child. Balmer modeled her school after the progressive ideals of this system, and LJCDS remains true to these principles to this day, valuing and celebrating students for their unique character traits and assets.
The early years were full of growth and abundance. To sustain the rising enrollment numbers, the school relocated several times to various cottages throughout the village.
In 1942, the Balmer School moved to 780 Prospect Street, better known as Wisteria Cottage for the branches planted by Virginia Scripps, the sister of American journalist and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. The cottage, which had been redesigned by famed architect Irving Gill, was owned by school parents and relatives of Scripps, Ellen and Roger Revelle, who went on to become prominent members of the San Diego community. The Revelles rented out the property to Mrs. Balmer to hold classes. This became the first instance of parent-driven philanthropy, an initiative the school would continue to celebrate throughout its history.
While the school and the San Diego area boomed well into the 1950s, Louise Balmer was nearing retirement. With a desire to leave behind a legacy, she partnered with several key parents to lay the groundwork for what would be rechartered as La Jolla Country Day School in 1955. With an enrollment of more than 100 students, the first-ever fundraising campaign launched to build a school that, according to Balmer, was “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.”
A new chapter of La Jolla Country Day School began in 1957 when it welcomed new headmaster Don Leavenworth. The young Yale alumnus from the East Coast began to set new school traditions: establishing the school’s official colors of white and blue (inspired by his alma mater), adding a French program, offering optional uniforms and starting a letterman sweater day on Fridays.
The campus expanded under Leavenworth’s tenure. Following a successful fundraising campaign led by parents, LJCDS raised more than $450,000 to build a new campus that was designed by parent and architect Frederick Liebhardt in an area known as Miramar Mesa (now known as the UTC/Golden Triangle area of San Diego County, where LJCDS currently resides). The campus was opened in the 1961–1962 academic year.
Over the course of the school’s history, many notable public figures have visited the school and engaged with the student community. Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, made the cover of the April 6, 1959 issue of Life Magazine after visiting the campus to find inspiration for new characters in his stories.
In 1964, Jonas Salk, M.D., founder of the polio vaccine, addressed the first graduating class as commencement speaker. Salk revisited the campus 20 years later to dedicate the student-built observatory.
The late movie legend Debbie Reynolds filmed her television special Debbie Reynolds and the Sound of Children on campus in 1969. The film featured nearly all 500 of the school’s students, along with her own children, Carrie and Todd Fisher.
The school has become a second home for many students for nearly a century. Alumni are continuing their legacy at their alma mater, returning as parents. Graduates have become faculty and staff members, now calling their favorite teachers colleagues. Many of the relationships forged here will last a lifetime. La Jolla Country Day School will continue to grow Louise Balmer’s legacy and looks forward to celebrating its centennial in 2026.
La Jolla Country Day School
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2026 La Jolla Country Day School
Privacy Policy
Country Day Connection Newsletter
Accredited by:
Menu
About
arrow
Welcome
Who We Are
At a Glance
History
Belonging
Faculty & Staff Directory
Security
Directions
Career Opportunities
News & Stories
arrow
Newsletter Archives
Alumni Magazine
Board of Trustees
Admission
arrow
Explore the LJCDS Experience
Meet Our Community
How to Apply
arrow
Early Childhood Center
Lower School
Middle School
Upper School
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Student Ambassador Board Members
Alumni Stories
Informational Events and Tours
International Applicants
Meet the Team
Academics
arrow
Early Childhood Center
arrow
A Distinct Approach
Curriculum
Environment
Sample Schedule
Lower School
arrow
Kindergarten
arrow
A Distinct Approach
Curriculum
Grades 1-4
arrow
A Distinct Approach
Curriculum
Extended Day Option
Middle School
arrow
A Distinct Approach
Curriculum
Upper School
arrow
Curriculum
Advanced Studies
Experiential Education
College Counseling
arrow
3-Year College Matriculation
College Rep Resources
College Trips
FAQs
Service-Learning
Library
Learning Resource Center
Citizenship
arrow
Programs & Annual Events
Speaker Series
Design and Innovation
arrow
Curriculum
Torrey Explorers Fund
Arts
arrow
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Arts Hall of Fame
arrow
Nominations
Athletics
arrow
Meet the Coaches
Teams
Weekly Home Games
History of Excellence
arrow
Torreys at the Next Level
Hall of Fame
arrow
Inductees
Nominations
Athletics Handbook
Shop Torrey
arrow
Middle School PE Uniforms
Community
arrow
Wellness
arrow
FAQs
Clubs & Organizations
Advisory and Peer Leader
After-School Programs
Lunch
Transportation
All School Calendar
Parent Engagement
arrow
Volunteer Interest Form
Grandparents
Family Handbook
Giving
arrow
Make a Gift
Ways to Give
arrow
Planned Giving
Funding Priorities
arrow
The Hub for Human Impact
Country Day Fund
Financial Assistance
Blue Bash
arrow
Sponsorships
Name a Theater Seat
Your Gifts in Action
Recognition and Giving Societies
Centennial Campaign
Portal
Alumni
arrow
Events
arrow
Alumni Weekend
Reunions
Regional Events
Update Your Info
Class Notes
Alumni Giving
Alumni Awards
Alumni Business Directory
Summer
Calendar
News
Shop Torrey
X
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
History
La Jolla Country Day School started with humble beginnings, founded in a one-room cottage in La Jolla with four students and three faculty members in 1926. Today, the school has grown to a student body of more than 1,100 on a 24-acre campus.
The Balmer School, as LJCDS was once known, was founded in the idyllic village of La Jolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean, by Louise Balmer, a widowed schoolteacher from Illinois.
Balmer, an alumna of Bryn Mawr College, was an expert on the Winnetka Plan, a learning model that advocated for innovative pedagogies in the classroom, expanding education to include creative activities and an emphasis on the socioemotional development of each child. Balmer modeled her school after the progressive ideals of this system, and LJCDS remains true to these principles to this day, valuing and celebrating students for their unique character traits and assets.
The early years were full of growth and abundance. To sustain the rising enrollment numbers, the school relocated several times to various cottages throughout the village.
In 1942, the Balmer School moved to 780 Prospect Street, better known as Wisteria Cottage for the branches planted by Virginia Scripps, the sister of American journalist and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. The cottage, which had been redesigned by famed architect Irving Gill, was owned by school parents and relatives of Scripps, Ellen and Roger Revelle, who went on to become prominent members of the San Diego community. The Revelles rented out the property to Mrs. Balmer to hold classes. This became the first instance of parent-driven philanthropy, an initiative the school would continue to celebrate throughout its history.
While the school and the San Diego area boomed well into the 1950s, Louise Balmer was nearing retirement. With a desire to leave behind a legacy, she partnered with several key parents to lay the groundwork for what would be rechartered as La Jolla Country Day School in 1955. With an enrollment of more than 100 students, the first-ever fundraising campaign launched to build a school that, according to Balmer, was “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.”
A new chapter of La Jolla Country Day School began in 1957 when it welcomed new headmaster Don Leavenworth. The young Yale alumnus from the East Coast began to set new school traditions: establishing the school’s official colors of white and blue (inspired by his alma mater), adding a French program, offering optional uniforms and starting a letterman sweater day on Fridays.
The campus expanded under Leavenworth’s tenure. Following a successful fundraising campaign led by parents, LJCDS raised more than $450,000 to build a new campus that was designed by parent and architect Frederick Liebhardt in an area known as Miramar Mesa (now known as the UTC/Golden Triangle area of San Diego County, where LJCDS currently resides). The campus was opened in the 1961–1962 academic year.
Over the course of the school’s history, many notable public figures have visited the school and engaged with the student community. Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, made the cover of the April 6, 1959 issue of Life Magazine after visiting the campus to find inspiration for new characters in his stories.
In 1964, Jonas Salk, M.D., founder of the polio vaccine, addressed the first graduating class as commencement speaker. Salk revisited the campus 20 years later to dedicate the student-built observatory.
The late movie legend Debbie Reynolds filmed her television special Debbie Reynolds and the Sound of Children on campus in 1969. The film featured nearly all 500 of the school’s students, along with her own children, Carrie and Todd Fisher.
The school has become a second home for many students for nearly a century. Alumni are continuing their legacy at their alma mater, returning as parents. Graduates have become faculty and staff members, now calling their favorite teachers colleagues. Many of the relationships forged here will last a lifetime. La Jolla Country Day School will continue to grow Louise Balmer’s legacy and looks forward to celebrating its centennial in 2026.
La Jolla Country Day School
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2026 La Jolla Country Day School
Privacy Policy
Country Day Connection Newsletter
Accredited by: