Saint Mark’s School and EF Academy Pasadena Unveil Temporary ‘Saint Mark’s Village’ with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

On Friday, Saint Mark’s School and EF Academy Pasadena officially unveiled Saint Mark’s Village, a temporary learning space for students displaced by the Eaton Fire. 

The April 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated a milestone in Saint Mark’s recovery because the new facility provides uninterrupted education for Developmental Kindergarten through 6th-grade students while the cleanup and rebuilding of its permanent campus continues.

St. Mark’s longtime campus at 1050 E Altadena Drive burned down on January 8 during the Eaton Fire. 

Nearby EF Academy, a nearby private international boarding and day high school on a state-of-the-art 16-acre campus, opened its arms and took in St. Mark’s staff, teachers and student body in a remarkable collaboration announced three weeks after flames devastated Saint Mark’s original campus.

The partnership between the two educational institutions to create new ‘St. Mark’s Village’ facilities went from vision to reality in less than two months, making it the fastest local school rebuilding effort to date. 

“This ribbon-cutting represents more than just a temporary solution—it’s a testament to our community’s resilience and the collective effort to keep education at the forefront,” said Jennifer Tolbert, Head of School at Saint Mark’s, during Friday’s event.

Saint Mark’s Village spans over 12,000 square feet and features 22 classrooms, administrative offices, and dedicated outdoor space. Built on 32,000 square feet of previously unused land area on the Pasadena campus of EF Academy, the facility was designed in collaboration with PjHM Architects and WillScot to create a high-quality learning environment.

Dr. Sally Mingarelli, Head of School at EF Academy Pasadena, emphasized the importance of community cooperation. “This partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when a community works together, supported by proactive leadership at every level,” she said.

EF Academy Pasadena, a private day and boarding high school with students from over 30 countries, is providing the land at no cost and offering Saint Mark’s students access to its STEM labs, arts spaces, gymnasium, and other campus resources. This arrangement ensures students can maintain academic and social development during the transition period.

U.S. Representative Judy Chu praised the initiative. 

“As someone who visited EF Academy during its earliest days, I’ve seen firsthand the school’s deep commitment to education and community. The swift creation of Saint Mark’s Village is a remarkable testament to that spirit. I commend both EF Academy and Saint Mark’s for turning challenge into opportunity and ensuring that students continue to learn, grow, and thrive in the face of adversity,” she said.

The rapid development was made possible by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-6-25, which cleared the way for expedited rebuilding efforts. The City of Pasadena adopted a whole-of-government approach, accelerating permits and assisting with infrastructure development, enabling the village to go from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting in approximately six weeks.

Dozens of local architects, engineers, and contractors—many of whom donated their time—helped make the project possible. 

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said that “the creation of Saint Mark’s Village in such a short time is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together.”

Pasadena Councilmember Rick Cole told the crowd, “The rapid development of Saint Mark’s Village represents Pasadena’s commitment to step up and do all we can to ensure fire victims are rehoused, kids are back in school, businesses can reopen, and we can rebuild the fabric of our shared Altadena/Pasadena community. Kudos to the City staff and EF Academy for their speed and collaboration to get this done!”

Saint Mark’s School, an independent Episcopal school in Altadena, is currently raising funds to provide tuition assistance for displaced families, replace essential classroom materials and technology, support trauma-informed mental health services, and cover the costs of operating the temporary campus. 

The school is also preparing for the long-term rebuild of its permanent campus shared with Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. 

Community members can find donation information here.