1946

Founding of “The Happy Valley School,” a co-educational boarding school, grades 10-12 with Rosalind Rajagopal as a School Board member and Vassar’s retired philosophy professor, Dr. Guido Ferrando, as the first Head of School (a position he held for the first three years of the school).

1947

Happy Valley School enrollment increases to 18 students, 10 teachers; mathematics teacher, David Young brings an exceptionally high level of folk dancing to the students and school community.

1948

First publication of “Out Of This Year,” a collection of prose, poetry, and artwork created by the students of Happy Valley School, the school’s “yearbook.”

1949

Dr. Ferrando resigns for health reasons. Rosalind Rajogapol is appointed “Acting Director” in spring 1950; eventually the “Acting” is dropped, and she serves for many years.

1950-51

Aldous Huxley gives commencement address titled “Aún Aprendo,” which means I am still learning. It becomes the school’s motto.

1957

Former faculty member Franklin Lacey went on to co-author the book for “The Music Man” with Meredith Wilson which opened on Broadway in 1957.  Lacey joined the Happy Valley Foundation Board in 1959.