A record number of visitors attend Mayfield Open House 2018
A record number of visitors took advantage of a picture-perfect Pasadena afternoon to attend Mayfield’s annual Open House, a campus-wide celebration that showed the irresistible joy and academic excellence that is the hallmark of our school.
More than 600 people converged on campus, the largest crowd in recent memory and a reflection of the vitality our Catholic, Holy Child education, said Admissions Director Merilisa Ramirez.
“What was gratifying to all of us was to meet so many families—prospective students, their parents, siblings, aunts and grandparents.” Ms. Ramirez said. “We are grateful that they cared enough to spend this afternoon on campus and experience what Mayfield is all about!”
Mrs. Ramirez said that this year's Open House theme, "Bring Your Family to Meet Our Family," truly made for a festive family event, with children and extended family members in attendance. Every academic department—from science, math, theology, the arts, English and more—held mini-workshops with faculty members. Student and parent panels answered questions and our arts conservatory offered sneak-peek performances.
With beautiful Strub Hall decorated for Christmas and the fireplaces roaring on a chilly day, the atmosphere further uplifted the contagious spirit of the afternoon.
Yet the focus of the day centered on prospective students and their families as they prepare to make important high school decisions.
In her welcome to visitors, Head of School Kate Morin explained that families are fortunate to have “many wonderful high school choices” in the Pasadena area. She encouraged prospective students to ask themselves a key question:
Where can I grow into the person I want to be?
Mrs. Morin explained that what distinguishes Mayfield as an all-girls high school is our Catholic, Holy Child identity, rooted in the philosophy of our founder, Cornelia Connelly.
“Cornelia said to be yourself, but be the self that God wants you to be,” Mrs. Morin said. “That means we want every girl to be educated in an accepting and loving environment where she feels she can be her best self.”
Along with Mayfield’s record of academic excellence, Mrs. Morin said “we really focus on the culture of the school...We have a large mission to help our girls really gain the confidence and the courage to be the leaders, that in my opinion, this world so desperately needs. Leaders who are loving and kind, really smart and grounded in their faith.”
With her trademark wit and enthusiasm, Student Body President Chloe Kessell '19 spoke of what it means to be a Mayfield student.
“I am a Mayfield girl: smart, involved, spirited, hard-working, loving, (a little bit sleep-deprived) and grateful,” Chloe said. “Mayfield has made me all of those things—with the exception of sleep-deprivation—but all of the others are what it means to be a Mayfield girl.”
She told prospective students that although school work can be difficult, “it’s easy to work hard at things you love, and at Mayfield it’s so easy to love to learn.”
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
