History
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Founded in 1911, Berkeley Hall is the oldest co-educational private school in Los Angeles, offering an exceptional, well-rounded education that nurtures academic excellence, character development, and a strong sense of community.
We are committed to the vision of our founders, Leila and Mabel Cooper who were dedicated to promoting the intellectual and personal growth of each student in a supportive and inclusive environment.
While Berkeley Hall has deep roots in its spiritual founding values, we are a non-religious private school that welcomes families from all backgrounds. Our commitment to character education is built on the universal values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Compassion, which we believe help students thrive both in and out of the classroom. With a diverse student body and a strong focus on individualized learning, Berkeley Hall provides an unparalleled private school experience in Los Angeles.
Milestones
![1911]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753730143/berkeleyhallorg/wlvp90isyfnbksdcvurg/Founders_Mary.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753730143/berkeleyhallorg/wlvp90isyfnbksdcvurg/Founders_Mary.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753730143/berkeleyhallorg/wlvp90isyfnbksdcvurg/Founders_Mary.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753730143/berkeleyhallorg/wlvp90isyfnbksdcvurg/Founders_Mary.jpg","width":1200}])
Founded by Leila and Mabel Cooper in Los Angeles with a mission to support each student’s God-given potential.
![1911]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/zx7xeqy9owzebevqoiap/BHS_History_Milestones-7.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/zx7xeqy9owzebevqoiap/BHS_History_Milestones-7.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/zx7xeqy9owzebevqoiap/BHS_History_Milestones-7.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/zx7xeqy9owzebevqoiap/BHS_History_Milestones-7.jpg","width":1200}])
First campus located near Berkeley Square; school named Berkeley Hall.
![1913]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/cfxjxxinvrdnkrdo80ap/BHS_History_Milestones-9.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/cfxjxxinvrdnkrdo80ap/BHS_History_Milestones-9.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/cfxjxxinvrdnkrdo80ap/BHS_History_Milestones-9.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753729882/berkeleyhallorg/cfxjxxinvrdnkrdo80ap/BHS_History_Milestones-9.jpg","width":1200}])
Berkeley Hall moved to its second home in a residential neighborhood on 4th Avenue.
![1917]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/ztiim63y5x9sltbqgobg/BHS_History_Milestones-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/ztiim63y5x9sltbqgobg/BHS_History_Milestones-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/ztiim63y5x9sltbqgobg/BHS_History_Milestones-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/ztiim63y5x9sltbqgobg/BHS_History_Milestones-2.jpg","width":1200}])
Military drill was added to the curriculum to teach boys obedience, attention, and respect after the U.S. entered the Great War.
![1924]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753824755/berkeleyhallorg/uuo0cfhzliujrslno31r/BevHills1924.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753824755/berkeleyhallorg/uuo0cfhzliujrslno31r/BevHills1924.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753824755/berkeleyhallorg/uuo0cfhzliujrslno31r/BevHills1924.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753824755/berkeleyhallorg/uuo0cfhzliujrslno31r/BevHills1924.jpg","width":1200}])
An option was taken out for 72 acres at $3,500 an acre for a new campus in what would become Beverly Hills.
![1925]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/yeaqi6kbuktq0vc6cpmn/BHS_History_Milestones-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/yeaqi6kbuktq0vc6cpmn/BHS_History_Milestones-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/yeaqi6kbuktq0vc6cpmn/BHS_History_Milestones-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753729881/berkeleyhallorg/yeaqi6kbuktq0vc6cpmn/BHS_History_Milestones-1.jpg","width":1200}])
Built a six-acre campus on the corner of Swall Drive and Dayton Way.
![1928]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753827298/berkeleyhallorg/zhy5avhkenbifhawbqo5/HighSchool.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753827298/berkeleyhallorg/zhy5avhkenbifhawbqo5/HighSchool.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753827298/berkeleyhallorg/zhy5avhkenbifhawbqo5/HighSchool.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753827298/berkeleyhallorg/zhy5avhkenbifhawbqo5/HighSchool.jpg","width":1200}])
Berkeley Hall added a high school.
![1939]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753824512/berkeleyhallorg/lmhsdyhh4ci2l3rdzfhb/BHSBand.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753824512/berkeleyhallorg/lmhsdyhh4ci2l3rdzfhb/BHSBand.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753824512/berkeleyhallorg/lmhsdyhh4ci2l3rdzfhb/BHSBand.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753824512/berkeleyhallorg/lmhsdyhh4ci2l3rdzfhb/BHSBand.jpg","width":1200}])
Headmaster McCandless introduces Berkeley Hall's first band.
![1939]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753823732/berkeleyhallorg/ylucdt3uhypc2zwnedks/sugarplum.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753823732/berkeleyhallorg/ylucdt3uhypc2zwnedks/sugarplum.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753823732/berkeleyhallorg/ylucdt3uhypc2zwnedks/sugarplum.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753823732/berkeleyhallorg/ylucdt3uhypc2zwnedks/sugarplum.jpg","width":1200}])
Berkeley Hall introduces the first Sugar Plum celebration.
![1941]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753826449/berkeleyhallorg/stizmbkhxqsmf4cntjvy/football2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753826449/berkeleyhallorg/stizmbkhxqsmf4cntjvy/football2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753826449/berkeleyhallorg/stizmbkhxqsmf4cntjvy/football2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753826449/berkeleyhallorg/stizmbkhxqsmf4cntjvy/football2.jpg","width":1200}])
Football team established.
![1945]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753920805/berkeleyhallorg/tazwwro1gxg3fjcfuaqf/Shield.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753920805/berkeleyhallorg/tazwwro1gxg3fjcfuaqf/Shield.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753920805/berkeleyhallorg/tazwwro1gxg3fjcfuaqf/Shield.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753920805/berkeleyhallorg/tazwwro1gxg3fjcfuaqf/Shield.jpg","width":1200}])
The shield tradition began when Francesca Leland, inspired by her love for Berkeley Hall and her ninth-grade teacher Mrs. Cutler, crafted a handmade shield as a surprise farewell gift.
![1977]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753827456/berkeleyhallorg/la67p2vfgpkjlcekmcsz/Hills1977.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753827456/berkeleyhallorg/la67p2vfgpkjlcekmcsz/Hills1977.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753827456/berkeleyhallorg/la67p2vfgpkjlcekmcsz/Hills1977.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753827456/berkeleyhallorg/la67p2vfgpkjlcekmcsz/Hills1977.jpg","width":1200}])
Current campus purchased and developed with strong parental support.
![1980]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753831280/berkeleyhallorg/npzsjwr4rngxdr8pa6sg/amphitheater1980.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753831280/berkeleyhallorg/npzsjwr4rngxdr8pa6sg/amphitheater1980.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753831280/berkeleyhallorg/npzsjwr4rngxdr8pa6sg/amphitheater1980.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753831280/berkeleyhallorg/npzsjwr4rngxdr8pa6sg/amphitheater1980.jpg","width":1200}])
New 66-acre Mulholland campus opened to students.
![2011]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753920962/berkeleyhallorg/hbufdtqvtqsp2po0il4b/2011_Arts_Sciences.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753920962/berkeleyhallorg/hbufdtqvtqsp2po0il4b/2011_Arts_Sciences.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753920962/berkeleyhallorg/hbufdtqvtqsp2po0il4b/2011_Arts_Sciences.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753920962/berkeleyhallorg/hbufdtqvtqsp2po0il4b/2011_Arts_Sciences.jpg","width":1200}])
Arts and Sciences Building opens.
![2020]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753822819/berkeleyhallorg/joajxl1bmrps1hdk9dxw/2020.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753822819/berkeleyhallorg/joajxl1bmrps1hdk9dxw/2020.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753822819/berkeleyhallorg/joajxl1bmrps1hdk9dxw/2020.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753822819/berkeleyhallorg/joajxl1bmrps1hdk9dxw/2020.jpg","width":1200}])
State of the art Innovation Lab opens.
![Present]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753823112/berkeleyhallorg/w6kdphui0jvaj7mts7pm/present.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1753823112/berkeleyhallorg/w6kdphui0jvaj7mts7pm/present.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1753823112/berkeleyhallorg/w6kdphui0jvaj7mts7pm/present.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753823112/berkeleyhallorg/w6kdphui0jvaj7mts7pm/present.jpg","width":1200}])
Independent, diverse, day school for Preschool–8th grade, with 59% diversity per NAIS and inclusive community values.
Founders
The prime objective of Berkeley Hall teachers would seem to be the emphasizing of those enduring principles and unchanging spiritual values that underlie all right thinking, right teaching, and right acting thereby counteracting the destructiveness of today's confused, shifting standards and general world unrest.
Leila Cooper, Founder
Heads of School
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