The Gooden School Celebrates 50th Anniversary on Monday

The Gooden School in Sierra Madre will mark its 50th anniversary with a community-wide celebration on Monday, May 12. The event, scheduled from 2–3 p.m. on the school’s campus, will launch a yearlong series of commemorative activities honoring five decades of academic excellence, tradition, and service in the San Gabriel Valley.

Gooden is celebrating 50 years to the day of its incorporation with an all-school assembly, a special presentation on The Gooden School’s early years by founding students and proclamations from the State, County, and the City of Sierra Madre, the school announced.

Monday’s celebration will welcome past and present students, educators, and community leaders to the campus at 192 N. Baldwin Avenue. Special guests include founding students Maggie Heflin Sabbag ’83 and Robert Ell, as well as government representatives Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Kristine Lowe ’88, Mayor Pro Tem of Sierra Madre; Darla J. Dyson, District Representative from Senator Sasha Renée Pérez’s office; and Adriana Perez, Deputy from Assemblymember John Harabedian’s office (District 41).

Founded on May 12, 1975, The Gooden School was established by local families to carry forward the legacy of the School of the Ascension.

Today, the private, co-educational Episcopal school serves approximately 175 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It offers a comprehensive academic program including core subjects, two foreign languages (Spanish and Latin), and robust arts and music offerings.

The Gooden School aims to inspire students to be intellectually curious and resilient, preparing them to lead lives grounded in kindness, integrity, and respect.

Two alumni currently serve on the school’s Board of Trustees: Kristine Lowe ’88, who is also the Mayor Pro Tem of Sierra Madre, and Sam Christopher ’14.

“Let’s honor our past and celebrate a bright future—we can’t wait to welcome you back to campus and kick off a year of festivities in honor of 50 years of The Gooden School!” the school shared in its invitation to alumni and community members.

The May 12 celebration, featuring birthday cake from Lark Bakery, is open to all current and former students, families, and friends of Gooden. The yearlong commemoration will culminate in the 50th Anniversary Gala in April at NOOR in Pasadena.

Throughout its history, the school has remained true to its guiding motto: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for the World.