Welcome to Webb

Head of School

Welcome.

I remember the first time I set foot on the Webb campus. I was a little bit mesmerized by what I saw and the people I met—engaged and curious students and so many truly talented teachers. I marveled at everything from the renowned California architecture nestled in the foothills of Claremont to the engrossing collections of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology—the only nationally accredited museum of its kind on a high school campus in the world. I learned on that first visit, and in the twelve years since, Webb is an incredible place to live and learn. I knew I wanted to be part of it. I can’t wait for you to see for yourself!

Since Webb’s founding in 1922, we have been guided by a clear mission: Think boldly, mindfully and creatively. Act with honor and moral courage. Lead with distinction. Serve with a generous spirit. These enduring values guide every aspect of our program. With intention, we nurture and inspire our students to embody these principles, preparing them to lead lives of purpose and meaning, here in high school and beyond.

With southern California as an extension of our campus, Webb’s program plugs into the real world. From Silicon Beach to Hollywood, Los Angeles is a global city with renowned art museums, cutting-edge aerospace and tech industries, and esteemed academic centers, from USC and UCLA to the Huntington Library and the Claremont Colleges, right up the street. It is the perfect location for a school committed to embracing and preparing for a quickly changing world, and our academic partnerships enable our students to engage as unbounded thinkers in this broad landscape.

Our academic excellence is both rooted in our long history and trained toward the future. Highly interdisciplinary and experiential, our core program provides students with shared foundational skills and prepares them to design their own Webb experience. Our incredible faculty work alongside students, providing them with the inspiration and support to dream and achieve, whether that means designing and building rockets, composing and performing music, or researching and weighing in on the current Supreme Court docket.

This academic program lives in a vibrant 24/7 educational community, full of passionate faculty, staff and students, a century of meaningful traditions and a whole lot of fun. From convocation to commencement, from our honor pledge ceremony to our senior trips to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, students enjoy and celebrate special moments in community. Open dorms with karaoke and crepes. Weekend runs for Korean BBQ. Swimming and diving year-round in our outdoor pool. Laughing at the spring musical. Hanging out in the dorms. Days are filled with friendship and new experiences.

Webb is a community like no other. I invite you to campus to experience our unique, vibrant, and welcoming community in person. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Theresa Smith, Ph.D.
Head of School

 

On Mission: January 2024

The AI Project@Webb

Crystal Cove Beach
Hollywood Bowl
Skyspace at Pomona College
Getty Museum
Dodger Stadium
A café with friends
Disneyland
Sugarfish in Pasadena
Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
Crème Bakery and Some Crust Bakery in the Claremont Village

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#1 Crystal Cove Beach

Wonderful in the winter. Tidepools, beach walks, picnics—and the sunsets! 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#2 Hollywood Bowl

Did you know that the Hollywood Bowl and Webb were born the same year? Star Wars with the LA Orchestra is a highlight (with lightsabers).  

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#3 Skyspace at Pomona College

Artist James Turrell, a Pomona College graduate, designed Skyspace for their campus in 2007. Be sure to catch the sunrise show. 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#4 Getty Museum

Illuminated manuscripts, modern photographs, noteworthy architecture with expansive views. Don’t forget to linger in the gardens! 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#5 Dodger Stadium

Sorry Angels fans, but my family bleeds Dodger Blue. Friday night fireworks are a must. 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#6 A café with friends

A nonfat latté and a scone. A good friend or a book. In Claremont, visit Lucky’s or Sanctuary. In Pasadena, it’s Tartine or Superba. 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#7 Disneyland

Disney magic is real. Fave rides include Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours, the Haunted Mansion and Galaxy’s Edge. (And be sure to try a corn dog.) 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#8 Sugarfish in Pasadena

The first restaurant we visited after our son was born! Incredible tuna sashimi. Delicious. 

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#9 Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

Webb’s campus trails connect to this picturesque park. I love hiking the 5-mile loop early on a weekend morning.  

Dr. Smith’s Top 10 Favorite Places in the Los Angeles Area

#10 Crème Bakery and Some Crust Bakery in the Claremont Village

Two delicious bakeries in Claremont Village. We are regulars at Crème! Faves are the pain au raisin, almond croissant or the Greens sandwich. Some Crust birthday cakes are truly special, try the coconut and passion fruit with delicate flowers. 

About

Theresa Smith, Ph.D.

Theresa Headshot

Theresa Smith, Ph.D. holds a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in Spanish from UC Berkeley, a Master of Arts in history from UC San Diego and a Ph.D. in history from UC San Diego with focuses in early modern European history, modern European history and colonial Latin American history. She is the author of The Emerging Female Citizen: Gender & Enlightenment in Spain, published by UC Press in 2006.

Dr. Smith started her career as a visiting assistant professor at Claremont McKenna College before joining Oakwood School in North Hollywood as social studies department chair in 2002. She rose to Director of Winter Immersion Programs before she was hired at Webb as Director of Academic Affairs in 2011. She became Assistant Head of Schools in 2017 and Associate Head of Schools in 2020.