History of Gillispie
A Legacy of Innovation
Gillispie School began in 1933 as a small cottage offering hot meals and early learning to underprivileged children during the Great Depression. Founders Dr. Samuel Gillispie and his wife Ada, a registered nurse, were pioneers in early childhood care, before nursery schools became common.
With support from the La Jolla Kiwanis Club and the community, we grew into a vibrant, diverse educational community serving children ages two to sixth grade. Over the years, we have remained at the leading edge of early childhood and elementary education and are known for our innovative approaches.
A Timeline of Our Growth
1933
Founded by Dr. Samuel Gillispie and Ada Gillispie as a small cottage serving hot meals and early learning opportunities to underprivileged children in La Jolla during the Great Depression.
1953
Incorporated as a school and broke ground on its current site.
1980s
Expanded to serve additional elementary grades.
1990s
Focused on rigorous curriculum development and assessment.
2001
Constructed Fielden Hall, a two-story building including classrooms for Kindergarten through Grade 6, administrative offices, and a gym.
2005
Recognized for technological innovation by Apple and the National Association of Independent Schools.
2006
Launched a sustainability initiative to green the School’s building and ground the students’ environmental education.
2011
Gillispie Endowment for Excellence in Teaching established.
2019
All early childhood (EC) classrooms renovated, and two new EC classrooms and a new EC outdoor classroom added.
2021
Opened the Sandbox, a 7,000-square-foot building featuring innovative learning spaces and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Gillispie's Promise Continues
Today, we continue to empower each child to dream big, think creatively, and pursue their passions. We remain true to our founding vision of fostering ethical education and community engagement, ensuring a bright future for generations of students.