Together, we’re celebrating 75 years of learning, joy, and community. Core to Pacific Oaks has always been our values of respect, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. In honor of our diamond anniversary and legacy, we share stories that are emblematic of the Pacific Oaks’ experience from key points in our own history.
Read our stories
celebrating Pacific Oaks’ values:Â
1945
A group of Quaker families start the new Pacific Oaks Friends School. The school opens with 10 teachers, 65 children ages 2 to 4, and the active participation of their parents.
1951
The Board of Trustees establishes a two-year program for the preparation of nursery school teachers, taking the first step to establish the College.
1959
Pacific Oaks receives accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which recognizes its child development B.S. degree.
Evangeline Burgess becomes the first president.
1961
The name is changed to Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School (Founded by Friends).
1965
The federal government invites Pacific Oaks to conduct training for Project Head Start. The College is also awarded a grant to establish a Head Start site on campus.
1968
Following Burgess’ death in 1965, Marianne Wolman establishes the annual Evangeline Burgess Memorial Lecture Series, which remains an annual event to this day.
1970
New B.A. and M.A. degree programs in human development replace the B.S.in child development degree.
1978
Pacific Oaks Teacher Education Program is approved to offer California teaching credentials for elementary grades. Since then, the College has added credentials in special education, bilingual education, and others.
1980
Marriage, family, and child counseling classes begin and become a specialization in the Human Development master’s program.
1988
The College establishes a Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling master’s program.
1996
The College develops an online distance learning program with three classes.
1999
The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy: The Latinx Family Studies Specialization launches. It is one of the first mental health specializations in the country to focus on Latinx mental health.
2001
The American Association of Colleges and Universities recognizes Pacific Oaks College with a Special Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Undergraduate Education for its unique pedagogy.
2005
The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy: African American Family Studies specialization launches. To this day, it is the only MFT degree in the country to focus on African American mental health.
2010
Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School partners with The Community Solution Education System.
2013
Pacific Oaks College establishes the School of Human Development and the School of Cultural and Family Psychology.
2016
Pacific Oaks College opens a branch campus in San Jose with Marcia Bankirer, Ph.D., as dean.
2017
Pacific Oaks College purchases four buildings outright, comp-rising the expanded Pasadena Campus at 45 W. Eureka St. and cementing its long-term commitment to the community.
Pacific Oaks Children’s School becomes a demonstration site for the Outdoor Classroom Project.
2018
Pacific Oaks Children’s School introduces a Spanish Immersion program and a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) one in 2019.
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