Best Community School Pasadena Near Me

4worldlovers:
Ms. Lopez's and Obregon's Classes Field Trip at Cabrillo Aquarium April 2023


Congratulations to Diana Sanchez (2nd to the right), 2023 Rose Scholar Awardee

Give and Get donation from Fresh Artists and BLICK Art Supply, August 2022

Thanks to Give and Get Project and BLICK Arts for the Donation of these Supplies.

California Continuation Education Association Teacher of the Year (Southern Region) Awardee- 2020

4worldlovers: At Sequoyah, students are encouraged to find their own voices, set academic goals and define a path for themselves.

In our high school classrooms, you will find teachers challenging students to use their growing knowledge and skills to solve essential questions at the heart of contemporary challenges — to see connections, develop meaningful relationships, and construct shared understanding.

Our high school students develop initiative and self-direction through college preparatory coursework and field studies emphasizing global perspectives and cultural competency. Independent study and collaborative effort will culminate in a junior-year social impact project and a senior-year internship.

At Sequoyah, students become changemakers — effective and skilled advocates who know how to inspire collaboration and lead innovation.


Sequoyah’s unique four-year Social Innovation Program (SIP) provides training and opportunities for students to become emerging social entrepreneurs. Our Advisory program reinforces the development of a growth mindset, conflict resolution skills, and effective leadership.

Sequoyah’s high school curriculum is designed to prepare students to graduate as experienced, confident, and resourceful problem-solvers who know how to apply their knowledge and passion, using strategies that can make a difference for their communities and in their own lives. Sequoyah students are challenged to think critically and creatively, learn how to work in diverse teams, and communicate ideas successfully.

It is the combination of a diverse school community with ongoing pursuit of mutual respect and cultural competency that makes for such a rich learning environment.

In 1958, Sequoyah School’s founders envisioned a progressive school for a better world. Central to that vision was a dedication to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment. Today, Sequoyah School continues this journey within the planning, operation, and curriculum of the school.

This active and ongoing effort is essential to the pursuit and celebration of human dignity. It allows our students to become self-reflective, engaged citizens able to participate in the authentic exchange of ideas and dialogue across differences.

We believe that diversity among students and families, faculty and staff, administration and leadership enriches the learning environment at Sequoyah School. A diverse representation of identity, thought, and experience prepares our students to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the larger world.

Learn about our DEI work at the institutional, program, curricular, and community levels from Kindergarten through 12th Grade.

To apply to Sequoyah’s high school, please visit our admissions page.

4worldlovers:
I know Mike Babcock would not like the fanfare but I think it’s been a little too quiet in our town of Pasadena with the loss of a true hero and our community spirit. I know I am feeling it. I loved the man. I respected what he gave to the community. First off, Polytechnic is a historic legacy in our city. Mike Babcock gave his life to that institution from 1965-1998. He was a math teacher and then headmaster from 1980-1998. He was my husband’s principal and impacted so may students who went through Poly. I believe there is not a better private school in the state than Poly because of Mike.

After that legacy, he turned his attention to public school serving on the Pasadena School Board from 2001-2008. He championed many initiatives, and most notably he believed in school choice, wanting options for families throughout the District. He served on the Citizen Oversight for Measure Y

And served on and chaired the Advisory Committee of International Baccalaureate Program at Wilson Middle School. He was a founding member of Pasadena Village, Board member of New Village Academy for Girls, and my one of my Board members at Learning Works. He was a champion for the underdog and despite his affiliation with a private school, a true advocate for public schools.

Mike and I had many adventures. He worked closely with his friend Dick Davis on building the game room at Wilson Middle School using his wood working skills to build ping pong tables. He made all the school lunch benches at Learning Works which are still there. He loved wood working. He was of course political pushing school choice and not understanding why charter schools were so controversy. My favorite times were when Mike was on the school board and we were trying to exit then Superintendent Percy Clark gracefully with limited damage to the district. Somehow I had become a Superintendent confidant and I was in talks every day with Mike and, at that time, regular conversations with our Mayor. We successfully transitioned the District to a new day. I loved that time with Mike. He was kind. Never wanting to hurt anyone. Always wanting the District to progress and come out on top. He believed in public education.