Students walk across Webb’s Claremont campus surrounded by mountains, open-air classrooms, and traditions that have shaped The Webb Schools for generations. Yet, a new long-term vision hopes to expand learning far beyond the gates of Webb.  

The Los Angeles integration plan, part of Webb’s long-term proposal that will guide the school’s priorities and development, aims to bring students closer to the opportunities, institutions, and industries that define the Southern California region. This could include visiting universities, participating in internships, collaborating with professionals, and using specialized facilities that Webb does not have on campus. 

The idea of creating a connection between L.A. and Webb has stirred curiosity across campus, and Webbies wonder what this shift truly means for daily life. 

In a conversation about the initiative, Dr. Theresa Smith, Head of School, described this plan as an evolution of Webb’s mission and history.  

“We have kids coming in with all different kinds of interests, and how can we connect them into Los Angeles to take their passions to the next level?” Dr. Smith said.  

She pointed to the student Bluebird aerospace rocket team as an example, a group that traveled to the Mojave Desert to launch their project and met with professionals at SpaceX and USC, an experience that was made possible by Webb’s location. 

As she traced the initiative’s origins, Dr. Smith connected the vision to Webb’s earliest years; Raymond M. Alf once led students to Barstow for field science, reinforcing Webb’s tradition of learning in the world, not away from it. 

“The world is really connected now, and these kinds of in-person, real-world experiences are going to be increasingly valuable for our school,” Dr. Smith said. “I think some of it too is about personalizing your educational experience.” 

Although the strategic plan covers the next 10 to 20 years, students will not have to wait long to see changes. Webb is building a three- to five-year project timeline, with multiple opportunities that students will begin experiencing over the next one to two years. Dr. Smith emphasized that expanded learning does not mean abandoning campus resources, but instead, it means reaching further when student interests stretch beyond what Webb can currently offer.

“If we don’t have the facilities or expertise here, we have it within a 30-mile radius,” Dr. Smith said. “So, let’s take ourselves to it.”

The plan has developed through collaboration across Webb’s leadership, board, faculty, staff, alumni, and students in a community effort that reflects Webb’s values. Looking ahead, Dr. Smith emphasized that students will play a key role in shaping how the plan actually works, especially when it comes to solving major challenges like transportation and access to Los Angeles. She also pointed to the role of emerging technology in society to potentially transform how students engage with the city in the future.

“What technologies in the real world are developing right now, and how might they transform things, like Webb Waymo? I’m excited for us to think big!” Dr. Smith said.

As conversations about the L.A. integration plan spread across campus, students are sharing their perspectives on how the initiative could create a better understanding of the school’s location.

“Some students don’t really go into Los Angeles very often, since a significant amount [sic] of students are boarders they might have preconceived ideas of what the city is like,” said Valentina Gonzales (‘28), a sophomore from the L.A. area. “Going into L.A. more with the integration plan would help students see how diverse the city actually is and experience different communities.” 

For Valentina, the plan could also introduce students to opportunities and cultural experiences that are harder to find on campus alone.

Other students are curious about how the plan could change the way learning happens at Webb, especially when it comes to connecting classroom material with real-world experiences that stretch beyond campus. 

“I think one of the interesting parts of the L.A. integration plan will be seeing how Webb balances time on campus with time in the city,” Jessica Nicola (‘28) said. “If it’s done well, it could make classes feel more connected to the real world instead of everything happening only inside the classroom.”

Some students have also begun to think more about what these opportunities could look like in practice, and what they imagine the plan could directly connect to their interests and future goals. 

“I would love to see opportunities like internships, visiting college campuses, or even working with professionals in fields we’re interested in,” Jessica said. “Even attending events or seeing how careers work in real life would make learning feel a lot more meaningful.” 

In addition, student leaders have been paying close attention to how student voices played a role in shaping the conversation. 

“It was really interesting to see how the idea actually came from a student conversation,” said Brianna Stodghill (‘26), a senior and member of the head’s student leaders council. “Dr. Smith mentioned that it started from a question Kenny Clay (‘25) brought up, and I thought it was great that the school not only listened to that but responded with a really ambitious vision for the future.”  

For Brianna, the initiative could also expand opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to activities in the city. 

“I think boarding students should have more opportunities to get off campus and experience things in L.A.,” Brianna said. “Also, day students get to have access to extracurriculars or activities in the city that boarding students might not get, so this could create more hands-on opportunities for everyone.” 

While details of the plan are still in motion, many students say they are eager to see how Webb will integrate the city into their education, and how this will affect the current generation of students and the next. As discussions continue, student feedback will likely remain an important part of shaping how the initiative unfolds.

Correction (April 22, 2026): An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the Webb teacher who founded the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology and led students on trips to Barstow. He was Raymond Alf, not Ralph B. Webb. We changed “L.A. Integration Plan” to lowercase throughout, as it is not an official name.