I graduated from the Happy Valley School, now the Besant Hill School, in 1966. Like everything in our world, the school has changed dramatically since then. One aspect has not changed: preparing students to greet the world after graduation with confidence and strength. I re-engaged with the school in 2017, and since then have helped initiate a robust Alumni association and facilitated the formation of an endowment program to support student scholarships. I became involved again because I believe in this school: The spiritual and academic foundation I received here enabled me to become a successful artist and community leader. I see this pattern repeated in the school's current graduates.
Besant hill School is but one part of the Happy Valley Foundation. The other elements include the Beatrice Woods Center for the Arts (BWCA) and a 500-acre parcel of pristine oak savannah. As a student I was free to wander this land and find peace and solitude. The Foundation continues to work to preserve this land in a way that will benefit the school and the community. The BWCA is named for an amazing artist (who I was fortunate enough to be a student of) who was integral to the founding of the school. Her work as an artist forms the core of this facility and inspiration for all who visit. Her life continues to inspire students of the school.
Through my work with the Alumni association I hope to continue the legacy and development of the school and the Foundation.
Nestled in the bucolic hills around Ojai, CA the Happy Valley Foundation through Besant Hill School and the Beatrice Wood Arts Center provides a unique opportunity for students, artists, and conservationists to connect, synthesize and follow their passions to lead and live with purpose. New to this community, I have been blown away by the deep history, interconnectedness of creativity and academic excellence, and the symbiotic relationships between the land and their culture, and the world beyond.
The world needs art more than ever to enliven and enrich our lives, and engage and connect our common humanity. Cultivating their core values and attributes among all of its students, by honoring the individual strengths and their resilience, embodying the ideals of environmental activism, modeling global citizenship, thinking critically and synthesizing knowledge, and engaging in their creative and artistic passions, the Besant Hill School and the Happy Valley Foundation have a formula for true life success - meaning and purpose.
As an educator and artist, this foundation and its entities breathe fresh air into teaching and learning, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone looking to support future generations of innovators and creators.
It was almost the end of summer 2011 that I first set eye on the beautiful Besant Hill of Happy Valley, at first I did not know what it will mean to me in the future. It was one of the best amazing thing that ever happened to me, as an International Student from Africa the School embraced me since day one. The whole school felt like a big family where everyone is welcomed and respected for who they are. At First the language barrier was so obvious but it only took me a month to overcome that feeling. The school nurtured me to learn English and exceed all expectation, both academically and personally. I grew immensely and become the man I am today because of all the teaching, guidance that I received from instructors, peers, local workers and so forth. Happy Valley is not just a prep school but a land that host so any amazing centers, nature which have an amazing influence on the local communities around.
I first visited Happy Valley Foundation and its entities in 2017 on a trip to the Besant Hill School campus with my alumnus husband. My overwhelming impression was one of beauty, the preservation of amazing resources, and the unique nature of the prep school and Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. Established in the early 20th century, the Foundation has always nurtured arts and education in this pristine setting of beautiful Ojai Valley land in California. Today the Foundation and its entities continue to benefit from the generous sponsorship of its alumni and patrons. My husband and I remain committed to supporting this organization because of the value it brings to the current and future citizens of the world.
The Happy Valley Foundation nurtures one of the most beautiful, pristine remaining parcels in Southern California and helps support incredible educational and artistic centers. The foundation is truly unique in the diversity of spaces it cares for as well as speaking to the intersection in this diversity. Education, creativity, nature, and artistry are connected in their ability to create meaningful change and the HVF uniquely positions itself in supporting this interchange.
The Happy Valley Foundation's rich history and mission to create positive change in the world make it a unique and inspiring non-profit foundation. The individuals who have assisted in creating and guiding the foundation over almost a century include Annie Besant, J. Krishnamurti, Aldous Huxley and Beatrice Wood. Educational Centers on the foundation's land nurture spiritual, artistic and intellectual growth as well as physical and mental well-being.
The Happy Valley Foundation is dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment of compassion where all forms of life are nurtured, with the belief that constructive change in the human condition and the planet starts with the individual. The foundation emphasizes development of insight, creativity and the acquisition of perennial wisdom needed to face the challenges of our ever-changing world. These goals are accomplished through the work of the Besant Hill School of Happy Valley, where students are prepared for life-long learning and the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, which offers exhibitions, workshops and performances.
The Happy Valley Foundation in Ojai has been a cornerstone of educational, cultural enrichment, and the arts in the valley for decades. More than just an authentic Ojai institution, it represents a unique confluence of history, education, and artistic expression.
One of the most prominent aspects of the foundation is its role as home to the international boarding school Besant Hill School of Happy Valley. The school maintains a small diverse student body with a low student-to-teacher ratio and goes beyond traditional academics, striving to instill a passion for lifelong learning. This educational commitment underscores the foundation's dedication to nurturing future generations and fostering a global perspective within the Ojai community.
The foundation's cultural impact is undeniable not only because of the multicultural nature of Besant Hill School, but also, in large part thanks to the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, the foundations’ only activity that welcomes the public. The center's workshops and museum tours offer invaluable opportunities for artistic exploration and appreciation. The preservation of Beatrice Wood's former home, studio, and legacy is a testament to the foundation's dedication to honoring and sharing the valley's rich artistic history. The Happy Valley Cultural Center's Chamber on the Mountain music program hosted by the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts adds yet another layer to the foundation's cultural offerings, providing exceptional world class musical experiences.
Beyond its artistic and educational contributions, the Happy Valley Foundation plays a crucial role in preserving over 500 acres of the Ojai Valley. This commitment to environmental stewardship ensures that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Nestled within the serene landscape, a remarkable natural wonder awakens each spring: the Happy Valley Vernal Pool. This ephemeral wetland, a haven of unique biodiversity, offers a glimpse into a rare fragile and fascinating ecosystem teeming with microscopic life including the endangered Fairy shrimp. The preserved land is also home to a large population of the endangered Crotch’s bumble bee.
The foundation's historical significance is also remarkable. It has been a gathering place for influential figures such as Annie Besant, Beatrice Wood, Rosalind Rajagopal, Aldous Huxley, Robert Logan, Louis Zalk, Marcel Duchamp, Thich Nhat Hanh, Joseph Campbell, Joan Halifax, and Jiddu Krishnamurti among many others. The preservation of this rich cultural history is a vital contribution to the valley's identity.
The Happy Valley Foundation's multifaceted approach to education, arts, environmental preservation, and historical preservation makes it an invaluable asset to the Ojai Valley. Its dedication to fostering cultural enrichment and preserving the legacy of significant individuals ensures that the valley remains a vibrant and intellectually stimulating place. I highly recommend engaging with the Happy Valley Foundation's programs and offerings to fully appreciate its contributions.