History

List of 8 items.

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  1939

  Carlthorp School was founded in 1939 by two dedicated educators, Mercedes Thorp and Ann Carlson Granstrom, who believed they could provide a better learning experience for young students than the school where they met. Their new school opened in a small house on 4th Street, just around the corner from Carlthorp’s current San Vicente Boulevard location. With only one student enrolled on the first day, the school grew to 10 students by the end of the year. As enrollment steadily increased, the school moved in 1941 to the property it occupies to this day.
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  1983

  After more than four decades of leadership, the founders passed the baton to former Carlthorp student Dee Menzies, who became head of school in 1983. She was supported in her first year by both founders and by her assistant, Betty Van Patten. Known for her deep commitment to courtesy, Ms. Van Patten inspired the creation of the Elisabeth Van Patten Courtesy Award, still presented annually to a student who exemplifies this value.
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  1989

  Half a century after the school was established, Mrs. Menzies worked diligently and thoughtfully to ensure that Carlthorp School would remain relevant without sacrificing its core principles. Among her efforts were three successful capital campaigns, the first of which yielded a new classroom and administration complex in the fall of 1989 — coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the school’s founding.
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  1998

  About halfway into Mrs. Menzies’ 33-year tenure as head of school, Carlthorp increased its student body by adding a second classroom at each grade level and also unveiled new art and science spaces, a new library, and a playing field that enlarged the footprint of the campus. With a focus on kindness and respect, Mrs. Menzies was instrumental in creating the community-focused atmosphere that families continue to experience today.
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  1999

  The Code of Conduct was introduced to provide students and community members with a shared language around the values that define the Carlthorp community. The Code remains an essential element of the Carlthorp experience; over the last 25-plus years, many alumni have shared that they can still recite the tenets of the Code of Conduct and stress its significance in their lives beyond 6th grade.
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  2009

  As part of the transition planning for Mrs. Menzies’ retirement, the Board of Trustees appointed Tim Kusserow as principal. Mr. Kusserow, who arrived with a wealth of experience from his tenure with LAUSD, became Carlthorp’s head of school after Mrs. Menzies retired in 2016. During his four years at the helm, he continued efforts to strengthen the Carlthorp experience for students and families and led alumni on a service trip to support childhood literacy in underserved communities.
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  2018

  Ahead of the 2018-2019 school year, former Carlthorp classroom teacher Steve Springer returned to serve as associate head of school. Mr. Springer went on to lead Carlthorp as interim head of school in 2020-2021, guiding the campus community through the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the school temporarily secured additional space at St. Augustine by-the-Sea in Downtown Santa Monica so students could return to in-person learning while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
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  2021

  Nola-rae Cronan joined Carlthorp as head of school in 2021. Alongside Associate Head of School Amanda Sasso, a proud Carlthorp graduate, she continues to fortify the school’s commitment to excellence while preserving the values and traditions that have long defined the community. In 2024-2025, Carlthorp celebrated its 85th anniversary — a testament to the school’s enduring mission and vibrant legacy.