Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 26, 2015

EDUCATION & YOUTH

9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 26, 2015 

ALVERNO HIGH SCHOOL STARTS NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH 
INCREASE IN 
ENROLLMENT

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

Sierra Madre, CAThe halls 
of Alverno High School 
are a little busier this year 
as Alverno is reporting an 
increase in enrollment over 
last year. 

“We are thrilled, and grateful, 
to report that Alverno’s 
enrollment is up 7.75 percent 
from last school year. Alverno 
has made a number of 
improvements over the past 
few years and we are grateful 
that our local community has 
taken notice of these changes,” 
said Julia V. Fanara, Head of 
School. “As we continue to 
evolve and grow, we do so 
while maintaining the values 
and excellence that have 
been pivotal to Alverno High 
School for the past 55 years. 
The Class of 2015 had a 100 
percent college acceptance 
rate and received more than 
$1.5 million in scholarships 
and financial aid; we currently 
boast 16 AP scholars, and 
more than half of the Class of 2019 was admitted to Alverno with 
honors from 25 different feeder schools. It is an exciting time to be 
a student at Alverno and we invite our community to learn more 
about the changes we have made.” 

Ms. Fanara attributes this enrollment increase to several factors. First, 
building on the school’s reputation for academic rigor and success, 
Alverno has added new Advanced Placement course offerings to 
the curriculum including AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, and AP 
U.S. Government and Politics. With these additions, Alverno now 
offers at least two AP courses in all core subjects. The standard 
curriculum has also been expanded to include ESL for International 
Students, Forensic Science, Independent Research in Engineering, 
and Speech and Debate. A total of four new faculty members, with 
advanced degrees in their fields, were added to the teaching staff to 
help bring these classes into the curriculum. 

In the spring of 2015, Alverno introduced three new merit 
scholarships: a Head’s Scholarship, a Board of Trustees’ Scholarship, 
and the Elizabeth Mahoney, IHM Memorial Scholarship, which 
help make an independent, Catholic, all-girls education more 
affordable for more families. A Legacy Scholarship has also been 
added, which will be awarded automatically to the daughters 
of Alverno High School alumnae, beginning with the Class of 
2020, so that the Alverno tradition may continue in their family. 
Recognizing that private school education is a luxury for most 
families, particularly in a tough economy, Alverno has committed 
to offering more scholarship support to families than ever before. 
At Alverno, the saying is “If you think you can’t afford an all-girls, 
independent, Catholic education—then think again.” 

Finally, Alverno has made several updates to the campus including 
re-landscaping the areas around the property’s historic Villa and a 
complete renovation of the main terrace. Additionally, plans have 
been announced for the update of the school’s library to a Learning 
Technology Center, which will open in the fall of 2016. The updated 
space will provide students with updated technology and wireless 
access, a language lab, a soundproof meeting room for collaborative 
work, open spaces for quiet study, and contemporary, lap-top 
friendly furniture.

For those interested in a progressive Catholic, independent college 
preparatory high school education for their daughter, enrollment 
for the 2016-2017 school year is open. For more information on 
Alverno High School, please contact Sara McCarthy ’05, Director 
of Admissions and Public Relations, at (626) 355-3463 x. 235 or 
visit www.alverno-hs.org. 

About Alverno High School

Alverno High School is a Catholic, private, college preparatory 
school for young women dedicated to preparing them to function 
in a society as informed, knowledgeable persons, who have the 
requisite skills to make and implement mature decisions about 
complex problems. Enlivened by the spirit of its Immaculate Heart 
Community sponsors, and mindful of the Franciscan roots of 
its founders, Alverno’s program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, 
social, and physical—is shaped by the staff, trustees, and students 
in light of the world for which the students are being educated. 
Alverno’s mission is to empower each young woman to be exactly 
the person she wants to be and since 1960, Alverno has empowered 
more than 4,500 women to meet that goal. For more information 
about Alverno High School, please call 626-355-3463 or visit www.
alverno-hs.org. 


Alverno High School

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Ann M. Gillick 

E-mail address: agillick@alverno-hs.org

Arcadia High School

180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007

Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forsee

bforsee@ausd.net

Arroyo Pacific Academy

41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil Clarke

E-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org

Barnhart School

240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 446-5588 Head of School: Ethan Williamson

Kindergarten - 8th grade

website: www.barnhartschool.org

Bethany Christian School

93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3527 

Principal: Dr. William Walner

website: www. bcslions.org

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive

San Gabriel, CA 91775

Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172

FAX: 626-286-1528

E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org

Foothill Oaks Academy

822 Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 301-9809 

Co-Principals Nancy Lopez and Diane Kieffaber

info@foothilloaksacademy.org 

preschool@foothilloaksacademy.org

Frostig School

971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107

(626) 791-1255

Head of School: Jenny Janetzke

Email: jenny@frostig.org

The Gooden School

192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-2410 Head of School: Patty Patano

website: www.goodenschool.org

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

Headmaster John Higgins 626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

LaSalle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org

Principal Bro. Christopher Brady, FSC

Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson

Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us

Odyssey Charter School

725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neill

website: www.odysseycharterschool.org

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 396-5880 Principal: Gilbert Barraza

website: http://phs.pusd.us

St. Rita Catholic School

322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

Principal Joan Harabedian (626) 355-9028 

website: www.st-rita.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 Principal: Esther Salinas

E-mail address: salinas.esther@pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett Newsom

E-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us

Walden School

74 S San Gabriel Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166 

www.waldenschool.net

Weizmann Day School

1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 797-0204

Lisa Feldman: Head of School

Wilson Middle School

300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth Esseln

E-mail address: resseln@pusd.us

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.us

rcadia Unified School District

234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net

Monrovia Unified School District

325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016

(626) 471-2000 Website: www.monroviaschools.net

Duarte Unified School District

1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010

(626)599-5000 Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us

Emily Yekikian, Alexis Baro, Asia Leong, Head of School Julia V. Fanara, McKinley Luna, 
Arianna Munoz, and Amanda Pavon

SAVE THE 
DATE FOR 
ST. RITA 
SCHOOL’S 
ANNUAL 
HARVEST 
FESTIVAL

(Sierra Madre, CA) St. Rita 
School will hold its annual 
Harvest Festival on October 16 
and 17 this year. A favorite fall 
tradition, this two-day event 
offers something for everyone 
in the community, so come join 
in on the fun.

The festivities begin on Friday 
with Beer, Brats and Bingo 
from 6-10 p.m. in O’Malley 
Hall at St. Rita’s. The whole 
family can enjoy great food, 
play dollar bingo, have a sneak 
peak of items going up for raffle 
at the Harvest Festival, and bid 
on the always-popular first row 
pew for the annual Christmas 
Pageant and First Communion in the spring. This year, parents can play bingo and unwind after a busy week while the kids go off to 
a supervised child care area for them to watch movies, dance to a DJ, play their own bingo and enjoy other fun activities. For older 
children, there will be a junior high dance from 8-10 p.m. in Gara Hall. Tickets are available at the door and the $8 adult dinner includes 
bratwurst or hot dog, chips, salad, dessert, and lemonade. An additional $3 can buy a bowl of The Buccaneer’s secret-recipe chili, and 
kids’ meals are available for $5. In addition, beer, 
wine and an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages 
will be available. 

The excitement continues on Saturday from 12:30-
9:30 p.m. with the fun- and activity-packed Harvest 
Festival. Throughout the day, families can participate 
in budget-friendly entertainment everyone will 
enjoy. Admission is free and you can purchase ride, 
game and food tickets at the gate. Sports fans can 
watch college football in the beer garden throughout 
the day, and everyone can enjoy live entertainment 
and a DJ in the evening.

Featured vendors will provide a great variety of 
food, and fun seekers of all ages can enjoy the rides 
including the Orient Express Roller Coaster, Super 
Slide, Tea Cups, Giant Swings, Bounce Houses, and 
a multitude of game booths. In addition, the silent 
and live auction will feature a Monrovia Fire Station 
Expereince, tickets to TV’s The Price is Right, a 5-day 
stay on the 48th floor of Chicago’s Hancock Building, 
a trip to Cambria, tickets to see Cat in the Hat at 
Pepperdine, and much more! 

Tickets will be available at the door for both events, 
with cash and major credit cards accepted. And new 
this year, tickets may be purchased online at www.
st-ritaschool.org/harvest-festival-2015/. For more 
information, call St. Rita School at (6262)355-6114 
or visit www.st-ritaschool.org. The school is located 
at 322 North Baldwin Avenue in Sierra Madre. The 
school is celebrating its 93rd year, with a focus on 
faith, stewardship and academic excellence.

322 N. BALDWIN AVE., SIERRA MADRE, CA • WWW.ST-RITASCHOOL.ORG • FOLLOW US! 
St. Rita,s 
Harvest Festival!
BEER, BRATS & BINGO• Friday night, October 16. Bingo tickets 
available at the door (must be 18 years 
or older) 6pm - O’ Malley hall• $10 dinner tickets available at the door• Supervised childcare on-siteOCTOBER 17TH 
12:30-9:30 pmLIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONBid on hard-to-get tickets to shows and 
sports, getaways, gift certificates and more!
RIDES AND GAME BOOTHSPIZZA, BBQ, MEXICAN 
FOOD & MORE! 
Kid’s Meal $5!
SPORTS BAR BEER GARDENLIVE ENTERTAINMENTPLANT & BAKE SALES
THE REEL DEAL: 

by Ben Show

BLACK MASS REVIEW

 Lately, the movies that Johnny Depp has stared in have 
not been received very well. 'The Lone Ranger', 'Transcendence' 
and 'Mortdecai' have made up the legendary actor's low point in 
his career. With the fifth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie and 
the 'Alice in Wonderland' sequel still a few years away, can Depp 
revive his career by going back and to a more serious role, or is he 
unsalvageable?

 At first, James Bulger (Johnny Depp) was not a big-time 
criminal. He was kept from becoming a large crime lord by the 
Italian mafia, who competed with Bulger and his Winter Hill 
gang for dominance in South Boston. However, when Bulger 
starts working with FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) 
to get the Italian mafia out of Boston, Bulger begins to grow in 
power and insanity, wreaking havoc across the city. 

 'Black Mass' is not only the movie that saved Depp's career, 
but it's also a really good gangster movie. The acting across the 
board is stellar, the writing is crisp and keeps the movie moving at 
a good pace, and the directing always makes you afraid of Bulger, 
while also being completely on his side. 'Black Mass' is definitely 
a film worth seeing, and will go down with 'The Godfather' and 
'Goodfellas' as one of the best gangster films ever made. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com