Polytechnic School

The Global Scholars Luncheon celebrated the remarkable work graduating seniors completed throughout the year. Students shared capstone projects reflecting their commitment to learning beyond Poly through global coursework, cultural experiences, and language study. Faculty, families, and peers gathered to honor not only the students’ achievements, but also the transformative work of the PolyGlobal program under the leadership of Rick Caragher. These experiences continue to shape globally minded graduates and bring our Portrait of a Graduate to life.

Ready, set, go! 🏅 Lower School Olympic Day returned last week with an afternoon full of teamwork, school spirit, and fun. Students in grades three through five on color-corresponding teams of red, blue, and green competed in fun activities across Babcock Field and in our gyms. Panther pride was in full effect, thanks to our spirited PE coaches!

Last week, the Class of 2026 participated in Chalk Day, a beloved Poly tradition that began in 2013 to share college news with the broader community. As part of Senior Week, Chalk Day features students sketching their future college mascot and logos on McWilliams Courtyard. Congratulations to our graduating seniors!

Poly’s Film Program hosted the annual Poly Film Fest this month. 🎞️🎥 This year’s festival, “The Experimental Pulse,” featured 15 student short films spanning a wide range of cinematic styles, all connected by a shared exploration of the human experience. From film noir and zombie memoir to documentary, drama, and experimental cinema, students examined the question: How do moving images move us? A big thank you to our student panel moderators Cici L. ’26, Sabreen E.-A. ’27, Sophie A. ’26, and Mackenzie R. ’28. Check out all the films here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZe4A_rp3Q&list=PLZvSDlzFVbArwQQhV2lnlOwZhaTZjljXz&pp=sAgC

Poly’s upperclassmen danced the night away at prom! Hosted by the Junior Class Cabinet, this year’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” soirée brought students to the Sheraton San Gabriel dressed in their finest. Thank you to Ms. Williams and ASB for making such a memorable evening possible.

The end of the school year is filled with activity, and we would be remiss not to highlight some of the outstanding Performing Arts productions in these final weeks. The Lower School’s first-grade play, “The Great Escape,” delighted audiences with a zoo adventure gone awry; Middle School Vocal Night struck all the right notes; Upper School Jazz Night brought smooth and soulful performances; and much more. Browse the photo gallery for a roundup of recent highlights from Performing Arts.

On the last day of their Middle School experience, our eighth-graders were flanked by their sixth and seventh-grade peers, as well as Poly's faculty and staff, during the "Hallway Walk." The annual tradition sent the Class of 2030 onto the Upper School with cheers, clapping, high-fives, and well-wishes! We look forward to celebrating Eighth-Grade Honors Day and Promotion in June! 👏🎊📣

Our youngest artists proudly showcased their creativity at the sixth annual Lower School Art Show! 🎨✨ In the weeks leading up to the event, each student selected two favorite pieces created in art class to display, including ceramic creatures, family portraits, 3D sketches, dinosaur sculptures, and more. Families also enjoyed interactive activities like a stained-glass sidewalk installation, canvas painting, and fun photo opportunities as Van Gogh or the Mona Lisa. Thank you to Lower School Art Teacher Marissa Reece-Jackson for bringing this joyful celebration of creativity to life!

For the final Panther Pod of the year, students from across the Lower School came together to learn about Pacific Islander culture in honor of AAPI Heritage Month. Students explored tapa cloth, a traditional fabric made from tree bark in island communities such as Samoa, Hawaii, and throughout Polynesia. Each pod decorated fabric squares and presented them to the fifth graders as they prepare to move on to Middle School—a sweet and meaningful gesture to mark this important milestone.

Poly hosted its fifth annual Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day with 257 participants! The event encourages community members to explore greener commuting options and leave the car at home. Walking was the most popular mode of transportation, with more than 140 participants arriving on foot, while others biked, scooted, or used public transportation. Donuts and stickers celebrating each person’s mode of transportation made for a joyful start to the day. Thank you to the Drive Less Team, including Laura Fleming, Julia Zapata, Kevin Austin, and Tim Huang, for organizing the event.

Don’t miss the Upper School musical, The Drowsy Chaperone! 🎤🕺🎭 Opening weekend saw audiences laughing nonstop during the five-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy, which follows a “Man in Chair” as his favorite fictional 1928 musical comes to life in his apartment. Catch the remaining performances on May 8 at 7 p.m. and May 9 at 5 p.m. and celebrate the incredible cast and crew behind this unforgettable production!