Bear Valley School, founded in 1874, served the first settlers of the region where it is located.  The picturesque old schoolhouse and its spacious, oak-shaded grounds for more than a century have been the heart of the Bear Valley community, as well as a familiar regional landmark.

From the beginning, the school has been Bear Valley’s only public space for civic activities, dances, music, speeches, and baseball games.  The "Friends of Bear Valley School" came about at a reunion of families with roots in south San Benito County on Memorial Day weekend, 2005.  As we passed by the old school, everyone had a story or memory to tell, and expressed frustration and sadness at its fate.   Why is the school just sitting there, closed to the community and slowly falling apart?  We talked to many people in the county, and there is widespread support for saving the school and keeping it as a public asset.  Our goal is to restore this treasure so it can continue as a community center and become a center for visitors to learn about the unique history and agricultural heritage of south San Benito County for generations to come. It will take time and effort, but there are no significant barriers to doing so.

Let's get together to re-open the school as a community center!  Contact us if you want to be part of the project!