HISTORY OF MWPV
A Short History of The Palm Valley School (1952-2005)
In 1952, The Palm Valley School opened its doors for the first time to students from across the Coachella Valley.
Founders Mr. and Mrs. J. Blake Field purchased property four miles outside the city of Palm Springs, seeking to
create a learning environment that would emphasize a high quality of education in combination with a focus on
developing character. Success in these matters would depend, in their opinion, on four basic tenets, small classes,
dedicated teachers, willing students and committed parents.
In 1992 The Palm Valley School moved to forty acres of beautiful property situated in
the heart of Rancho Mirage and in the center of the valley. The academic program
was college-preparatory, non-denominational and coeducational, with 100% of all
graduates qualifying for four-year colleges. With students from age 3 to age 18 on
campus (Pre-K to Grade 12), the school offered a unique “family” feel, warm and
safe.
With the move to Rancho Mirage, modern, well-equipped facilities housed classes of
twenty or less students. Although the central purpose of the school was to offer a
strong academic program, the days were rich with athletic and artistic experiences and
opportunities. Students competed in interschool sports and arts festivals and afterschool
extracurricular opportunities provided many avenues for personal growth.
In 1997, a preschool and pre-kindergarten program was added to the campus and in 2001, a new gym and stage
complex was built.
A Short History of Marywood-Country Day School (1979-2005)
In 1979, Coachella Valley educator Dr. Mary O'Neill founded Marywood Country Day School in La Quinta, California.
Her sole purpose was to establish a superior educational program, dedicated to academic excellence, individual
achievement and cultural enrichment for children in the desert area. The success of Marywood's program
was evidenced by the rapid growth and development of this independent proprietary K-1 school. Each ensuing
year saw the addition of one grade level until 1983, when it had expanded to Grade Five with an enrollment of
thirty-five students.
With this K-5 Program in place, Dr. O'Neill incorporated this independent, co-educational,
non-sectarian school as a 501(c)(3) organization. As a non-profit charitable organization,
Marywood created a Board of Directors, comprised of parents and community members, with
the objective being to strengthen the school's governing and financial foundation. By 1985,
Marywood had outgrown its two-acre campus. Marywood relocated its campus to the school's
present location in Rancho Mirage, California in the summer of 1986. In 1987, Marywood
added early childhood and middle school programs, thus completing Dr. O'Neill's vision of a
preschool through eighth grade independent school.
To meet the community's ever-growing educational demands and requirements for quality
education, Marywood began adding a second class per grade in 1998.
The current Rancho Mirage campus occupies nineteen acres, of which the school purchased ten and a generous
individual donated the adjacent nine. The facility consists of eight main and six modular classrooms, an administrative
office, a multipurpose room, athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, an eating area, and parking lot.
The Merger
Creating the Marywood-Palm Valley Identity
The Marywood-Palm Valley School community spent much time after the 2005/6 merger examining the school’s potential and developing a strategic plan to promote the school’s mission.
During the 2007/8 school year, the school’s administrators redesigned the school’s admissions materials to reflect the Four Cornerstones that comprise the school’s mission: College Prep, Character, Communication, and Community. The school moved Grades 3 through 5 from the Mary O’Neill Campus into newly constructed buildings on the J. Blake Field Campus. At the end of the school year, the school said farewell to Graham Hookey, who had served as Head of School for the transitional period following the merger, and welcomed Vincent Downey, who had served as the Associate Head of School during the same period.
Present
Marywood-Palm Valley School has spent the summer preparing for the 2008/9 school year with several construction projects. The Lower School has added an administrative wing, as well as classroom buildings to house Grades K – 2 on the J. Blake Field Campus, rendering the merger complete with all students together on one campus. The two Preschool buildings are undergoing renovation for the fall. The new softball and baseball fields are being completed. The front entrance and the drive to the Lower School are being widened. And an outside assembly area has been built for the Lower School.
The Future
The Coachella Valley is a rapidly growing area, offering an idyllic lifestyle and 365 days of sunshine a year! Historically viewed as a retirement community, the Coachella Valley has seen a recent surge of growth in young families, with the average age of residents dropping in the last 10 years from 55 to 35 years old. Cal State San Bernardino has opened a satellite campus in the valley with plans to significantly expand its enrollment, and the medical, financial, retail and resort businesses have seen substantial growth. The demand for a college-preparatory program in a small and caring environment has never been greater. The Marywood-Palm Valley School community will spend much time during 2008/9 examining the future growth potential of the school with both admissions and facilities construction. The school anticipates growing enrollment from 500 to 800 by 2011, building a Middle School and Middle School Amphitheater by fall 2010, and renovating the Upper School by Fall 2011.
The school is working to come into its own, backed by strong tradition and committed administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students. It will be an exciting time for parents, students, trustees, faculty, and staff to watch the synergy of the merger foster a truly outstanding program.
