About Rancho Santa Fe Life Style

              Welcome. Let me introduce you to the villages of Rancho Santa Fe and  Fairbanks  Ranch!  These  two  communities are among the finest in the world  and are only  minutes away from major  airports and   financial centers. They afford a quality of life that is both unique and unparalleled.

The  distinctive  Covenant of  Rancho  Santa  Fe  offers  estate  living  with complete privacy and seclusion and despite the fact that it is one of the ten wealthiest communities in the nation, residents maintain low profiles.

Leisure consists of  horseback  riding (the Covenant  offers  over 21 miles  of riding trails),  golf on a  championship  golf  course, tennis  and polo. Colorful hot air  balloons  launch on mild afternoons  adding their blaze of color to the already sparkling skies over Rancho Santa Fe.

Fairbanks  Ranch  is  one  of  Southern  California's  most  exclusive,  private residential communities. The  homes in  Fairbanks  Ranch are  architectural showcases  ranging from 2,500  to  20,000  square  feet. Privacy  and  safety are  assured  by  24-hour  gate-guarded  access  and  security  patrol. The villages of  Rancho Santa Fe  and  Fairbanks Ranch offer life styles for every-
one desiring to live in the finest area in America. Schools serving the area are some of the best in the country.

It is also a  haven for the  sophisticated  shopper and cultural devotee as well. The  fashionable  coutures, art  galleries, gourmet  restaurants and  charming shops of  Rancho  Santa Fe Village, Fairbanks  Plaza, Del  Rayo Plaza,  Del Mar  and  La Jolla  are  only  minutes away. Downtown  San  Diego,  with  its
new  Symphony Hall, Convention  Center and famous Horton Plaza is just 30 minutes south (22 minutes via Ferrari).

December  at the "RSF Golf Club" Back  dropped  by an ever-changing pastel painting of Pacific sunsets and an  average annual  temperature of 72 degrees, this  residential and  recreational realm offers a cherished base for golf, tennis, horseback riding, sailing, entertaining or basking in the warm California sun.

There are never a  shortage of fun activities in Rancho  Santa  Fe and among them  is  the  ever  popular  Flower  Show  where  great  fun  and  some  stiff competition  maintains  a  keen  level  of  interest  for  both  exhibitors  and spectators. In  May,  people "in  the  know" will  travel  many  miles  to  the amazing, Annual Rummage Sale for the "steals and deals."

The outstanding Rancho Santa Fe Library is one of the most popular locations for  residents and  visitors  alike. It is  located conveniently in the center of the "Ranch", adjacent  to the Rancho Santa Fe  School and maintains a calendar
of varied programs and events throughout the year.

Another "hot spot" in Rancho Santa Fe is the very special Community Center. This year, the  Community  Center  celebrates  twenty-five  years of service to the  residents of  Rancho Santa Fe. Originally  known as "Rancho Youth", the organization was founded by unselfish volunteers and massive donations from generous  residents  and  friends  to  provide  service  to and  activities for the Rancho Santa Fe community.

The Inn and Garden Club are favorite locations for June weddings as well as parties throughout the year.

Around  July 4th,  the  community  and  young  people  from  the  school  get together for a parade featuring  floats, music, pets and  other  animals as  well as a  barbecue  and tasty treats. A good time is had by all and this is a great time to appreciate "Ranch" ambiance at its best.

In  September, Rancho  Days, a  celebration  of  the  history  of  Rancho Santa  Fe, leads  the  calender of  fun  events  along  with  the  Vaquero Ride, the   Library  Event, the  Tennis  and  Golf  Clubs  participation  as  well  as a savoury  barbecue  usually  hosted  by  the  Rotary  Club. This year "Rancho Days" will be held on September 16th through September 23rd.

October means it's time for the Annual Golf Classic hosted at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club.

In  December,  there  are  many  favorite holiday activities, one of which is the annual  spectacular Tree  Lighting  Ceremony  which  is  held  in  front  of  the  historical  Rancho  Santa  Fe Inn and  members  of the  community  gather to sing  with  the  school's young  people. Another  favorite activity is, Ski Week. Rancho  Santa  Fe  School  closes  during  this  week  allowing  families  to guiltlessly head out to  ski  the  dazzling  slopes  of  our  western mountains or follow other endeavors they and their family have planned.

History of the Rancho Santa Fe School District

The school  history for Rancho Santa Fe  commences in 1887 when the Aliso School  District  was  formed. In 1905,  Ferdinand  Cohen  and his  neighbors erected a  one  room  wood  frame  school  building  and  named  it the  Aliso Canyon School. As years went on, and particularly after the  Santa Fe  Land Company  began to  develop  what is  now  Rancho  Santa Fe, the number of families  in the area  increased. In the early 1920's students  moved  into  the Village  of  Rancho  Santa  Fe  where  a new  Lillian  Rice  designed  building, located  on the  northwest  corner  of  La  Granada  and  Paseo Delicias, was being  completed. The first  graduating  class  had  one  student,  Ivy  Fidero (Laughter) who still resides  near the  site of the  original  Aliso Canon School. Several years ago, Mrs. Laughter and Principal Glenda Sumida (also a Ranch School graduate), unveiled the "First School" historical plaque.

In 1927, we officially became the Rancho Santa Fe School District. By 1931, there were more students  on  the  Ranch  and  it  was  time to  construct  a larger  schoolhouse,  which  the community did. This is now the Association  building and 35-40 students, with two  teachers, moved into the  building in the early 1930's. Rancho Santa Fe  was  slowly  being  discovered  and  by 1947 there  were 47  students, k-6. By  the  early 1950's the  school  population had increased to more than 100 and the  Association building was no longer large enough. It also failed to meet new California  earthquake  standards so a third, and the present school site, fronting on La Granada and Avenida de Acacias, was  selected. The  first  seven  room  building  here  was completed in 1955. Numbers  continued  to  grow and  1960  some  classes  returned  to  the Association building. 1961 saw the addition of the second 4 room wing and 220 students, grades k-6, together on the same campus.

About that time the community was recognizing the need for a library and the district sold 1/3 of an acre to the new Library Guild for $1.00. This was the first of  several  transactions between  guild and  school  which have  helped make possible a lovely  library for the community  and most  rewarding facilities and programs  for our  students. By 1968  the school  was  bulging  again and the community approved construction bonds and  authorized the return of 7th and 8th graders from the Junior High in Solana Beach. 1971 saw  completion of the Middle School and present administration  building and all  students, k-8, were educated in the local school. Following a very  generous contribution by  Gene Fletcher  and  the  dedication  of  a  new  Rancho  Santa Fe Youth Board (with original  members  guarantying  construction  loans for up to $10,000 each)  a school gym and youth center was constructed.

The  community and  its  school  population  continued  to  grow  slowly  but inexorably over the next  years  with  classes  housed,  at  various  times, in   the Fire Station and in portable classrooms located on school and Association property.

The  Middle  School  library, auditorium, art  and computer  rooms, were also  being  used  for  classrooms  by  the  late 1980's. In  March, 1991,  district residents overwhelmingly approved a bond measure and the two story building was completed in time for September 1992 classes. The new  addition  has
10 classrooms, a  large art  studio, and  modern  science/computer  lab and facilities for  Special  Education and  music. It also permits us to use Middle School and older facilities for the purpose for which they were planned.


From the parents and neighbors who  constructed the  Aliso  Canyon  School of 1905 to the community  supported  school  addition of 1992 and  programs of 1996-98, Rancho  Santa Fe  has  worked  to  plan and  provide  well  for its children, that they might be prepared to become participating and  successful citizens. We seek to  provide a school  which academically and in all regards reflects our splendid  community and enhances the  values and welfare of all its citizens.