Ninety years ago, in 1933, a small Country Day school named Laguna Blanca opened its doors for the first time. It was the beginning of one of the most respected educational institutions in Santa Barbara — and a place that many of us call home.

Although starting with one campus and only 40 and 6 faculty members, the School, over the last 90 years, has grown.

We now have two campus locations with 430 students —100 in Lower School, 139 in Middle School, and 191 in Upper School.

What makes Laguna stand out amongst other independent schools are its core values that Laguna continues to uphold, celebrate, and embody: scholarship, character, balance, and community.

These values have been passed down from generation to generation, decade to decade.

They are a testament to Laguna’s history and culture, as these values shape and continue to shape each individual — student, teacher, or faculty member. These values stay with members after leaving the School.

Scholarship, defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is described as “academic study or achievement; learning of a high level.”

However, at Laguna, it encompasses so much more — it’s not only a dedication to academics but also to uphold the most significant merit, to push oneself to one’s academic threshold, and then to excel even after.

It means going beyond just being “good” and always trying to be better and get better.

Character does not just mean being a good person, but it’s learning how to cultivate integrity, compassion, and consideration for others, both for peers and faculty alike.

At Laguna, character is one of the School’s most important values — it means continuously striving to be a better person than one was yesterday and consistently trying to create a positive impact on our community.

When describing our School, teachers and students alike think of words like “vigorous,” “academically challenging,” and “high achieving.”

Yet, although our School is known for its academic vigor, Laguna strives to cultivate an environment where students can balance high academic expectations and offer other activities, such as athletics, arts, and other extracurriculars.

And lastly, community — the value that can encapsulate the core of Laguna. It’s where students and faculty members can foster and build strong connections.

This essential partnership enables students’ intellects to be challenged and educated and faculty’s teaching experiences to become enriched.

Laguna’s community is built upon scholarship, character, and balance — without these, our community could never have been as strong as it is.

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, it stands as a testament and acknowledgment of Laguna’s educational and communal impact, which will continue to withstand for centuries to come.