It was established in 1959 as a school for the gifted by Glory Ludwick.

(University of California Medical School), a psychiatrist who, according to the Orange County Register, surrounds herself with fantastical objects including a unicorn, giving off the aura of "a magician".

[5] The school began with a student body of 40 children at its launch, each with IQs of 120 or higher, a student–teacher ratio of 15:1, and music classes taught by Freida Bolinfante, then-conductor of the Orange County Philharmonic Orchestra.

The educator also created her own series of books to teach children reading, the Pigglepug and Mopinset series, due to her frustration with the materials then available.

Ludwick tried to prevent students from writing while learning to read, believing it caused confusion.