Warren-Walker School's La Mesa campus opened in 2005 with six students. One cannot resist remembering those first students with fondness, and in particular, Erin Stumm and Mathias Layton who would matriculate to middle school and complete the first nine years of their educational journey at Warren-Walker School! Michelle Terhaar served as classroom teacher and administrator, and current faculty members Lori Ornelas (Spanish), and Diane Neil (Drama), former faculty members, Jennifer Pashkow (computer/library), Donna Oliver (Music), and the late Jim Napolitan (PE) fleshed out the specialist programs.

School traditions were honored: the annual WWS Kindergarten social studies “trip around the world” included their first flight to England, Holiday High Tea, all-school field day and pet day, you name it – the mighty six enjoyed it all. Word of this dynamic program, modeled after that on the Point Loma campus, spread quickly. Year two enrollment stood at 36, year three, 69, and year four 136!

As the student body and parent constituency grew, so did their “vibe” emerge. Class plays took on a different flair, students expressed themselves through character roles, audiences danced and cheered with the joy that only childhood can bring to the stage, and annual parent parties became legendary. To say the Parents Association was active is an understatement. Their dedication to campus improvements was epic. Over the years, as a result of their fundraising efforts, the prekindergarten playground was rebuilt, a first class play structure for K-5 installed, bleachers were secured, a new gym floor laid, and most recently, a once weather-impacted playing field was replaced with all-weather turf. 

Now fast forwarding, I walk the empty campus. It’s a summer day – characteristically warm – okay hot—and as I move over the synthetic turf past the imagination playground blocks, I begin to hear the happy voices of students playing – the younger under the pine trees re-enacting fairy tales while the older are debating whether the goal just scored was in or out. I hear Coachee’s whistle, the call to Friday Flag, and dedicated faculty preparing to make another special day. Friendships are recalled, forged not only among students, but students and faculty, parents and parents, parents and faculty. There was a time when the La Mesa campus, in the words of so many, became a family. Although we wished it otherwise, this East County gem was not able to continue its operations. Fortunately, what will undoubtedly remain is the knowledge that what was built here—character, comradery, and enduring relationships - the brick and mortar of the soul – and the spirit that is Warren-Walker School, will continue to walk the wind for years to come.

- Raymond Volker, Headmaster