We often talk about how Poly shapes its students. But the truth is, Poly shapes its leaders just as profoundly. I am reminded how deeply this community has shaped me. Every day, our extraordinary students, dedicated faculty, and passionate families stretch and mold my own perspective on what education can and must be.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Virginia Pease, our founding Head of School, and her belief that learning must extend far beyond classroom walls. Walking our campus, I see her vision alive today. Poly teaches us the importance of remaining curious, the thrill of being inspired, and the joy of celebrating each other’s success. That is why this year’s Report of Giving theme, “We Shape Poly,” feels so right to me. A Poly education isn’t static; it acts as a catalyst that honors our history while driving us forward to define the future.
We saw that powerful energy come to life in so many ways this past year. Arden Lawn was transformed into a welcoming and verdant space for connection and reflection on South Campus. We cheered on our fifth graders as they discovered their resilience and sense of adventure during their grade's inaugural overnight trip to Catalina Island. We were awed by the brilliant student-scientists leading the Poly Research Initiative; we marveled at the innovation and curiosity displayed at the eighth-grade project night; and we launched the Perihelion Award to give our most impactful teachers the recognition and resources they so deeply deserve.
None of this happens in a vacuum. You, our donors, are the true foundation of this success. Your unwavering belief in our mission provides the resources our faculty need to transform our students’ lives. Thank you for standing with us and for helping us shape a future full of integrity, curiosity, and joy.
With appreciation,
John W. Bracker
Head of School
Poly's leadership expresses gratitude for the past year.
We envision a community of students, inspired by transformative teaching, who will contribute profoundly to the world as intellectual leaders.
We develop the unique intellect, talents, and character of each student in a community dedicated to academic excellence, personal responsibility, and service to others.
Alexander Hudnut, Chair
Mohsin Ansari
Koko Archibong ’99
Kwame Brathwaite*
Ezra Callahan ’99
Annie Deng
Jim Franke ’86*
Mark Holdsworth ’83
Ming Hsieh*
John Keatley ’91*
Roberto Longoria
Lori MacPherson ’85
Denise Nelson Nash
Carol Pomerantz
Jethro Rothe-Kushel ’99
Sonia Singla
Greg Stone
Amber Tyson ’94
Courtenay Valenti*
Katie Wei
*not pictured
As the Board of Trustees reflects on the 2025–2026 academic year, we are filled with deep gratitude for the incredible dedication that continues to define Poly.
A vital component of Poly’s institutional strength is our financial health, the robustness of which is due to your generosity. This year, our community demonstrated outstanding commitment, securing over $4,800,000 for the Annual Fund and achieving a fundraising total of over $10,000,000. It is worth noting that approximately 20% of Poly’s annual experience is funded by current and endowed philanthropy. We are profoundly grateful for these resources. Your gifts allow us to invest continuously in campus improvements, safeguard our endowment, and directly sustain the transformative teaching that takes place here every day.
While the Board’s work often happens behind the scenes, it lays the foundation for what happens inside the classroom. We work diligently to shape the structural parameters, governance frameworks, and long-term fiscal foundations of the school. Our role is to focus on nurturing the landscape so that our talented students and exceptional faculty have a secure environment in which to flourish.
As we look to the future, we are committed to providing a steady hand as we navigate the forward momentum of our institution. While future chapters naturally bring evolution, the Board remains resolutely devoted to serving as a source of stability and continuity. Our focus is anchored in ensuring that Poly’s enduring mission and core values are preserved as we move toward the coming years.
Thank you for your foundational role in supporting Polytechnic School. Your unwavering embrace of our mission provides the framework upon which our community’s bright future rests.
Sincerely,
Alec Hudnut P’17, ’20
Chair, Board of Trustees
WELCOME
NEW TRUSTEES
JOHN KEATLEY ’91
John Keatley is the Co-Founder
and CEO of Scratch Financial, a
leading point-of-sale financing
company that helps consumers
access affordable financing
while enabling merchants
to grow their businesses.
Scratch currently serves the
veterinary care industry, with
plans to expand into additional
healthcare and service sectors.
KATIE WEI
Katie Rothenberg
Wei is an English
teacher at Westridge
School for Girls in
Pasadena, where
she has taught since
2000. A Westridge
alumna (Class of
1994), Katie has
taught English across
multiple grade levels
Prior to Scratch, John served as CFO of Klarna and CFO of Green
Dot Corporation. Earlier in his career, John was an Engagement
Manager at McKinsey & Company, specializing in financial
institutions. John mentors startup companies in Los Angeles and
Stockholm and is a member of Pasadena Angels. He earned an
MBA from Harvard Business School and an A.B. in Physics from
Princeton University.
John and his wife, Malin, live in Pasadena with their three
daughters, Maja ’23, Stella ’25, and Tilde ’25, all proud Poly alumni.
and has held numerous leadership roles throughout
her career, including English Department Chair,
Human Development teacher, Class Dean, varsity
soccer coach, and longtime faculty advisor to the
Spyglass student newspaper. She earned a B.A.
from Vassar College.
Katie and her husband, Alex Wei, live in Pasadena
and are the parents of two Poly students, Oliver ’30
and Lillian ’33.
GREG STONE
Greg Stone is a partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson in Los Angeles, where he has practiced since 1978 and previously served as the firm’s managing partner. A nationally recognized trial attorney and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Greg has represented leading companies in complex patent, antitrust, product liability, and class action litigation, including Google, Intel, Amgen, and Philip Morris. Greg previously served as Trustee from 1992–2001.
Greg earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Caltech, where he was a varsity football and wrestling athlete, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He has remained actively involved with Caltech, including serving as chair of the Chair’s Council for the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Greg and his wife, Cindy Vail, live in Pasadena. His family has deep, multigenerational ties to Poly, including sons Adam ’96, David ’00, and Evan ’03; daughter-in-law Natalie ’03; and grandchildren Ella ’36 and Benton ’38.
The heart of this success lies in the sheer number of people who chose to invest in Poly’s mission. This year, more than 1,900 donors joined hands to shape our collective future. Whether you contributed to the annual fund, supported a specialized initiative, or volunteered your time, your participation creates our momentum. When we look at the incredible milestones celebrated in this report, it is clear that we are crafted by the beautiful, combined generosity of our entire community.
The Advancement Team and I are constantly inspired by how our community of parents, alumni, grandparents, current and former faculty, staff, and friends continually step forward to champion our students. And personally, as a proud parent, it has been a privilege to witness this shared purpose come to life every day through my own child’s experiences.
Your philanthropic support expands the boundaries of Poly’s educational experience, ensuring our classrooms remain spaces of discovery and inspiration.
We look to the future with deep gratitude for your partnership. Thank you for your loyal generosity, inspiring teamwork, and for continuously choosing to help us shape a vibrant future for Polytechnic School.
With thanks,
What an extraordinary year of progress, learning, and collective joy it has been! As you look through the pages of this year’s Report of Giving, I hope you feel an immense sense of pride in what we have achieved.
Meredith B. Robbins P’36
Chief Advancement Officer
THE CLASS OF 2026
As the Class of 2026 begins an exciting new chapter, we celebrate all they accomplished during their years at Poly. Our graduates made lasting contributions in the classroom, in athletics, in the arts, and throughout our community and the world beyond.
We are proud to share the colleges, universities, and institutions of higher education where members of the Class of 2026 are continuing their studies, based on information provided by their families. Where more than one graduate is attending the same institution, the number of students is noted.
Arizona State University
Bard College
Boston College (2)
Boston University (3)
Brown University (2)
Cal Poly Pomona (2)
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Carnegie Mellon University (3)
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University (2)
Cornell University (3)
Duke University
Emerson College
Emory University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Howard University
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
McGill University
New York University (5)
Northwestern University
Princeton University (3)
Providence College
Rice University
Scripps College
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University (6)
Trinity College
Trinity College Dublin
Tufts University (2)
Tulane University
UC Berkeley (3)
UC Davis
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Los Angeles (2)
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Kansas
University of Michigan (2)
University of Oxford
University of Pennsylvania (3)
University of Puget Sound
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California (3)
University of St Andrews
University of Washington (3)
Vanderbilt University (3)
Washington University in St. Louis (3)
Williams College
