August 25, 2025

When wildfire struck Los Angeles this past January, the impacts on our independent school community were devastating, especially for Saint Mark’s School. Earlier this month, Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi had the opportunity to visit Saint Mark’s School’s temporary campus, where CFO Ann Grimmett showed her around and shared how they have navigated this challenging time. Saint Mark’s School’s staff and faculty quickly sprung into action, and in just eight weeks, they partnered with another local school to erect a temporary campus with spaces to accommodate all of their classrooms, each program, and a play structure.

Right: Scarlett Vanyi (Cal-ISBOA), left, with Ann Grimmett (Saint Mark's School).

Saint Mark’s School demonstrated incredible leadership and resilience, ensuring students could return to their classes as soon as possible. We stand with all our schools in celebrating the tenacity of Saint Mark’s and other schools affected by wildfires and other disasters, and in honoring our shared commitment to the students of California!