Flintridge Preparatory School

Flintridge Preparatory School, familiarly known as Flintridge Prep or simply Prep, is a day school for grades 7-12. Founded in 1933, it is located in La Cañada Flintridge, California.

Facilities

School facilities include a science/cultural center, multiple classroom buildings, two computer laboratories, a state-of-the-art two-story library, a performing arts center, a 400-seat auditorium, an administration building with faculty offices, and an alumni and development office building.

The Chandramohan Library is a two-story library and learning center that includes a computer lab, a classroom for seminars, meeting rooms, space for individual and group study, and a laptop room. The college counseling office is staffed by three counselors and offers college counseling services.

The Randall Performing Arts Center includes practice rooms for individuals and groups of musicians, as well as dance rehearsal space. Miller Theater is a black-box theater that is used for many of the school's drama performances.

Athletics facilities include a full-size gymnasium, a six-lane swimming pool, a multi-sport playing field with a softball diamond and a soccer field. Athletics facilities also include a fully equipped weight-training room and a professional training room for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Academic Experience and Tradition

Flintridge Prep emphasizes academic engagement, strong relationships between faculty and students, and a variety of student leadership opportunities, including clubs, a peer counseling program, an outdoor education program, and a student-run government called Student Senate. Seniors have an opportunity to do an independent study project, and roughly 1/3 of students take up the opportunity, studying with a faculty or community member of their choice in their final semester of school.

Originally founded as an all-boys school, the school became coed in academic year 1979-80. Many old traditions remain, but new traditions have emerged. The Senior Patio and Lawn are closely guarded by seniors throughout the academic year. Each May, the rising junior class receives its senior privileges and takes over the Senior Patio. Class trips and retreats are a big tradition. The culmination of life at Prep is the Pine Cone Ceremony, which occurs on the last night of the Senior Trip, just before commencement.

Accreditation

Flintridge Prep is accredited by, and is a charter member of, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It holds memberships in the California Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Western Association of College Counselors, the Cum Laude Society, and the Educational Records Bureau. Flintridge complies with the National Association for College Admission Counseling's Statement of Principles of Good Practice. It also participates in the American Field Service and The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs.

Enrollment

Approx. 550 students in grades 7 through 12, 100 seniors.

Ethnic composition

1% Native American; 7% African-American; 7% Hispanic; 29% Asian-American; 57% Caucasian

Faculty

73 full-time faculty; 7 part-time faculty. All have BA/BS degrees; 50 have masters and six have doctoral degrees.

Grades/rank

Semester system, four grading periods per year with grades recorded at the end of each course. A year course yields 1 credit in that subject. Students normally take 5-8 credits each year. Class periods are 43 minutes long and meet 3-5 times per week. Students are not ranked. GPA is based on all course work except PE.

Graduation requirements

4 years of English; 3 of Math; 3 of Foreign Language; 3 of History; 2 of Laboratory Science; and 2 of Fine Arts are required. Community service is required at each grade level. Physical education is required through sophomore year.

Notable Students/Alumni

• Ramses Barden, wide receiver for the Cal Poly Mustangs, New York Giants
• Stephen J. Cannell, television producer, writer, novelist
• Dyllan Christopher, actor
• Mark Geragos, attorney
• Sarah Gilman, actor
• Harry Hamlin, actor
• Jeff Krosnoff (deceased), IndyCar driver
• Bill Monning, California State Assemblymember
• Dennis Muren, Academy Award Winner, filmmaker, special effects honoree
• Emily Osment, actor
• Haley Joel Osment, Academy Award nominated actor

External links

• Flintridge Preparatory School website