The History of Viewpoint
Photo courtesty of Hudl
January 10, 2020
Many students know little about the history behind Viewpoint School (myself included). As a lover of all things history, I thought it would be fascinating to delve into Viewpoint’s long history.
Viewpoint School actually opened its doors first in the close-by suburb of Encino, leasing buildings in the area. The first principal was Ms. Thelma Sitton. Viewpoint’s campus continued to move west over the years, occupying buildings on Platt Avenue in Woodland Hills. In 1965, Viewpoint moved grades 6,7, and 8 to its permanent home in Calabasas, which consisted of three trailers at the time. Then, the lower school was built on the same campus.
Viewpoint added grades to meet its growing class sizes. 1982 was the year when Viewpoint’s first graduating class graduated and the year in which Viewpoint began constructing its second building. Mr. Art O’Leary became the headmaster, followed by Dr. Robert J. Dworkoski in 1986. In 2014, Dr. Dworkoski stepped down from his position as headmaster and moved into the role as the President of the Viewpoint Educational Foundation.
In 2005, Viewpoint’s third building opened. Following the third building, a new field was constructed in 2007, as well as a library in 2009, and the Paul Family Athletics Center in 2011, which includes a 900-seat gym, locker rooms, a weight room, a fitness center, and coaches’ offices. The Balaban-Webster Team Center opened in 2015, which includes extra showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms adjacent to the field.
During the 2014-2015 school year, Mr. Paul Rosenbaum was Interim Head of School, before Mr. Mark McKee became the Head of School, and has served that title ever since.
There are about 1,200 students currently enrolled at Viewpoint, making it the fourth largest school in the California Association of Independent Schools. The campus is also about 40 acres. Viewpoint belongs to the CIF Southern Section for athletics. Our motto is Fide et Amore (translated to “with faith and love”). And, lastly, of course, our school colors are red, white, and blue, and Patriot Pete is our mascot. Go Pats!
