The Webb Schools is an independent private school for grades 9-12 located in Claremont, California. Often referred to simply as “Webb,” the institution operated as two separate entities until 2024: The Webb School of California (founded in 1922 for boys) and The Vivian Webb School (founded in 1981 for girls). Starting in late 2024, the schools fully transitioned to a co-educational model. The 150-acre campus is nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Currently, Webb serves 405 students with a faculty of approximately 60 educators. According to official data, 25% of the faculty hold a doctorate, 90% have an advanced degree (Master’s or higher), and 74% live on campus. Read more at losangeles1.one.
Founding History
Thompson Webb founded the school, carrying on a deep family legacy. Born in 1887 into a family of educators, his father, William Robert Webb, had established the original Webb School in Tennessee back in 1870. That institution quickly gained a reputation for rigorous academic standards and a firm moral compass. It was this educational philosophy that Thompson Webb brought with him when he established his own legacy in California.
The Claremont campus opened in 1922 as an all-boys school, followed by the opening of The Vivian Webb School for girls in 1981. For decades, the schools maintained a “coordinate” model: most classes for 9th and 10th graders were single-gender, while upper-level courses were co-ed. As of 2024, all educational programs have shifted to a fully integrated co-educational format. The school’s official student publication, the Webb Canyon Chronicle, serves as the pulse of the campus, covering everything from academic milestones to extracurricular life.
Academic Infrastructure
Spanning roughly 150 acres, the Webb campus is home to architecturally significant buildings that have earned numerous professional accolades.
Webb holds a unique distinction: it is the only high school in the United States with a nationally accredited museum and the only one in the world with a paleontology museum on campus. The museum is named after Raymond M. Alf, a long-time science teacher at the school. In the late 1930s, Alf and his students discovered the fossilized skull of a previously unknown Miocene-era peccary, Dyseohyus fricki, in the Mojave Desert near Barstow. This monumental find sparked a tradition of student-led field expeditions that continues today.
After earning a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Alf expanded his research. The collection was originally housed in the basement of the Jackson Library until the museum moved into its own dedicated facility in 1968. Today, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and led by curator Mairin Balisi, the museum boasts one of the world’s premier collections of fossilized animal tracks. The institution continues to host summer field research and famously collaborated with the University of Utah to discover the dinosaur Gryposaurus monumentensis in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The Chapel
The Vivian Webb Chapel was built by Thompson Webb as both a tribute to his wife and a physical expression of his faith. Drawing inspiration from the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the founder personally handcrafted over 10,000 adobe bricks in 1937. Construction began in 1938, with the first brick laid in 1939. The project became a community effort, involving students, parents, visitors, and even the Governor of Tennessee.
The Thomas Jackson Library was a gift from the parents of Thomas Jackson, an alumnus who tragically passed away while attending Caltech. Opened in 1938, the building was designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt—the mastermind behind the Rose Bowl and the Pasadena Central Library. The project was so well-regarded that it received an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2025-2026 academic year, annual tuition is set at $84,070 for boarding students and $59,790 for day students. This comprehensive fee covers room and board, educational materials, and various student fees.
To ensure accessibility, the school provides over $7 million in need-based financial aid annually. Approximately 32% of Webb families receive assistance, with grants averaging $60,000 for boarding and $40,000 for day students.
Webb’s alumni network spans the worlds of science, arts, politics, and business. Notable graduates include rock legend David Lee Roth, dermatologist and TV personality Dr. Sandra Lee, sci-fi author John Scalzi, renowned cardiologist Steven Nissen, Admiral and former U.S. Secretary of Energy James D. Watkins, and diplomat John R. Davis Jr.
The Webb Schools in Claremont represents a rare blend of tradition, academic depth, and hands-on scientific discovery. The institution stands out not only for its rigorous teaching standards but also for its unparalleled resources, most notably its nationally accredited paleontology museum. With generous financial support, an expert faculty, and a rich historical legacy, Webb remains one of California’s most distinguished private boarding schools.