Look How We’ve Grown!

1972

In early August 1972, the owners of the Urban Military Academy sold the property at 155 South Layton Drive to a non-profit organization and a Board of Directors was quickly assembled. The Board prepared for the establishment of Brentwood School, a traditional co-educational day school.

The Board determined that the school would open that fall, which allowed only 30 days to recruit teachers, enroll students, and refurbish the campus. Interested parents were asked to come and clean, paint, and garden.

On schedule, the school opened in September 1972 with 8 staff, l3 faculty, and 121 students - mostly boys - in grades 6-10. Grade 11 was added in fall 1973, and the school graduated its first senior class in June 1975.

1982-84

Groundbreaking began for construction of our new gymnasium and Lower School (now called Middle School) building. A vigorous Capital Campaign got underway, culminating with the dedication of the Shumway Gymnasium in 1984.

1987-1990

Brentwood School proceeded with plans for a new five level building and the school’s second capital campaign was underway. The New Library/Science/Performing Arts Complex opened in March 1990.

1992-95

The Board of Trustees began researching the feasibility of purchasing the Marymount Junior School campus at 12001 Sunset Blvd. That acquisition was finalized in 1994 and the property became the new home of our Lower Division, grades K - 6. Remodeling took place to prepare for the opening of classes in September 1995. Curriculum decisions and the hiring and admissions process began.

In the fall of 1995, our first K-12 Opening of School Ceremony included seniors (the class of ’96) holding hands with kindergarteners (the class of 2008).

The East Campus Upper Division Art Department was remodeled during the summer of 1995. That same year, construction of a new exit road began on property shared with the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration.

1998-2001

The school undertook its largest capital campaign to date to remodel the libraries on both campuses, build an Arts and Athletics building for the West Campus, and develop athletics facilities for the East Campus on 22 acres of land used through an enhanced sharing agreement with the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration. This campaign also added $2,000,000 to the school’s endowment fund - a much needed boost!

2003-2006

Fundraising for two East Campus capital projects, the Student Life Center and the Aquatics Center, got underway, culminating with the March 2005 opening of the SLC and the April 2008 opening of the Caruso Watt Aquatics Center.