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Ojai Valley School, founded in 1923, was a bold experiment in education, one that drew students from all over the United States, as it continues to do even today.

Here is the story of that experiment from its first days through the recent past, as told by those who experienced it.  It is the story of Edward Yeoman's passionate ideas about progressive education and his involvement in implementing them at the "Valley School,"  and of Wallace Burr's influence in shifting to a more traditional educational style.

Former students and teachers from the 1920's and '30's share their memories of a school where music, art and shop-work were among the primary subjects, and where students themselves built a castle, a pond and a piano box village as class projects, and participated regularly in elaborate celebrations.

Alumi and staff from the 1940s and '50s recall the Burr Era and the introduction of summer school and ambitious adventures into the backcountry on foot, horseback and bicycle.

From the 1960's and '70's come vivid recollections of the struggles, sacrifices and successes involved in establishing secondary grades on the Upper Campus.

Within these pages, many favorite teachers and administrators appear.  They include Gudrun and George Thorne-Thomsen, Kitty Bragg, Cordelia Kingman, Betty and Charles Reynolds Linn, Dorothy and Wallace Burr and J.B. Chase.

This is a story of memories, successes and struggles.  it is the story of Ojai Valley School.