How You Make a Difference

On Saturday, September 26, members of the Viewpoint community gathered to officially break ground on the Jeong Ho Amphitheater, a new $10 million outdoor venue that will create a central gathering place for learning, performance and community on Viewpoint’s Calabasas campus.

Students, families, trustees, donors and School leadership joined actor and comedian Ken Jeong, filmmaker Jon M. Chu and Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Edward Albrecht for the groundbreaking ceremony. President and Head of School Mark McKee emceed the event, which also included a proclamation from the City of Calabasas commemorating the milestone

The groundbreaking officially marks the start of construction on Viewpoint’s first major capital project in more than a decade and advances a central priority of the School’s 10-year strategic vision.

“As we celebrate Viewpoint’s 65th anniversary and look toward our 75th, the Jeong Ho Amphitheater represents our belief in the future of this extraordinary school and in the power of spaces that bring people together,” said McKee. “We’ve described the Amphitheater as our own Hollywood Bowl, and while it will certainly be a spectacular place for music and performance, its purpose will reach far beyond the stage.”

The Jeong Ho Amphitheater was launched through the largest single gift in Viewpoint’s history from Jeong and his wife, Trustee and Board Vice Chair Tran Ho, MD, in honor of their daughters', Alexa ’25 and Zooey ’25, and their family’s experience at Viewpoint.

“We wanted to do something that wasn’t just about our family. We wanted to create something that would be here long after Alexa and Zooey graduated and that future generations of Viewpoint students could make their own,” said Jeong. “That’s what we love about this. It’s not just a stage; it’s a classroom, a gathering place for performances, celebrations, conversations, and ideas. It’s a place where students can study, hang out, and simply spend time together in this beautiful canyon—because some of the most meaningful moments in school are the ones you don’t plan.”

Scheduled to open in late 2027, the 531-seat, fully accessible Amphitheater will sit on a crescent-shaped plot of land across Dry Canyon Creek from Academic Hall and the Carlson Family Theater. Designed by Plural Studio and built by Douglass Design + Build, the venue will feature a bandshell, lighting and sound capabilities, shade sails, an outdoor classroom, teaching garden and pedestrian bridge connecting the Amphitheater to the landing outside the Fletcher Family Library.

More than a performance venue, the Amphitheater is being designed as a space for the entire Viewpoint community. Students across all four divisions will be able to use it as an outdoor classroom and gathering place for assemblies, guest speakers, performances, celebrations and community events.

The $10 million project is entirely funded through philanthropy and is already more than 80 percent funded. Along with the Jeong Ho family’s historic leadership gift, 10 additional families representing trustees, current parents, grandparents and alumni have made major gifts to help bring the new space to life: Kristin and Jon M. Chu; Thao and Jerry Dodson; Lauren and Alfred English; Valerie Karno, PhD, and Eric Glaser; Fiona Wong and William Go, MD, PhD; Marianne and Brad Kern ’75; Valerie and Andy Kieffer; Jill and Dan Schecter; Haley and Scott Taylor; and Suzanne and Brian Watson.

As construction begins, the groundbreaking marks not only the start of a new campus space, but the beginning of what will become a shared place for generations of Viewpoint students to learn, perform, connect and create memories together.

Learn more about the Jeong Ho Amphitheater and opportunities to support the project, or contact Olivia Powell, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, at olivia.powell@viewpoint.org.

At Viewpoint, we believe Athletics is an essential part of the student experience. On the field, court, track, and in the pool, our scholar-athletes learn lessons that extend far beyond competition. They learn how to lead, persevere, work together, and push themselves toward their potential.

That is why we are excited to introduce the new Patriot Athletics Club (PAC), Viewpoint’s new annual giving program dedicated to Athletics.

Inspired by the tradition of collegiate athletic clubs, the PAC gives our community a new way to come together each year in support of Viewpoint Athletics. We are excited to be at the forefront of bringing this model to independent schools, and most importantly, to create a meaningful opportunity for our community to invest in the experience of every scholar-athlete.

Annual giving is what provides the margin of excellence that allows Viewpoint to offer a high-caliber Athletics program. For years, the foundational Viewpoint Fund has been instrumental in sustaining the breadth and excellence of the Viewpoint experience. We are excited to evolve its impact by creating a second pathway for dedicated annual support to Athletics through the PAC, meeting donors where they are, and opening up opportunities for more directed giving.

“The Patriot Athletics Club is a tremendous opportunity for our Viewpoint community to support our athletic department in a direct manner. The impact on our student-athletes and coaches will be substantial and meaningful, be it through creating more opportunities for scholar-athletes to join our community, continued upgrades to our facilities, or professional development for our coaches,” shared Mark McKee P’16, Head of School and President.

Every gift to the PAC strengthens Viewpoint Athletics. Donors may choose to direct their annual support to one of five funding priorities: Peak Performance, Coaching Excellence, Scholar-Athletes, Competition Travel, and Facilities Care. Together, these priorities help ensure that our scholar-athletes and coaches have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.

Inspired by his own experience as a scholar-athlete on the east coast, Trustee Jon Merriman P’27 has stepped forward with a leadership gift to the PAC.

“Growing up at McDonogh School in Baltimore, I was truly blessed by the generosity of benefactors who believed that all children deserve a shot at a top education no matter their personal circumstances. Philanthropy gave me the ability to attend a great school and experience top-notch teaching and coaching, which changed the trajectory of my life dramatically.”

That experience shapes the way Jon and his wife, Odile, see the opportunity presented by the PAC today.

“Viewpoint's new Patriot Athletics Club is an opportunity for all of us to support today’s scholar-athletes, from recruiting and retaining the best coaches to maintaining special facilities to providing need-based financial aid and more. I can’t think of a more powerful cause than the Patriot Athletics Club, and our family is honored to be a founding member. We are excited to see the positive impact the PAC will have on Viewpoint's strong educational presence and growing athletic mission.”

The PAC is ultimately about more than supporting a team or a season. It is about investing in the people, programs, and places that make Viewpoint Athletics such an important part of the student experience.

Trustee Michelle Bradway P’28 ’28 believes deeply in the power of Athletics at Viewpoint and has seen that impact firsthand in her own family, inspiring many years of wonderful gifts to programs and facilities that benefit all students at Viewpoint.

“As a family, we have seen the extraordinary impact athletics has had on our own children, which is why I feel so strongly about championing the Patriot Athletics Club. Our scholar-athletes deserve a program that reflects the same ambition and excellence we expect throughout a Viewpoint education. Philanthropy gives us the ability to go further—to provide exceptional coaching, facilities, and opportunities that allow every student-athlete to thrive. I hope families will join me in building something truly exceptional for them—and for generations of Viewpoint athletes to come.”

Athletic Director Josh Frechette P’29, echoed that sense of gratitude and ambition for the program. “We are incredibly grateful to the families who have helped bring the PAC to life and to everyone who sees the extraordinary value Athletics brings to a Viewpoint education,” he said. “This is an investment not only in Athletics today, but in the kind of experience we want every Viewpoint student to have. I hope our community will join our Trustees in helping us Back the PAC!”

As we launch the Patriot Athletics Club, we invite our community to be part of this next chapter for Viewpoint Athletics. Together, we can provide the resources and opportunities that help our scholar-athletes and coaches reach their potential on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

To make a founding gift to the PAC, visit viewpoint.org/BackthePAC.

It was an unforgettable evening at Calamigos Ranch on May 2, when supporters from across the Viewpoint community gathered for the School’s 43rd Annual Benefit in support of financial aid. Through their generosity, the event raised more than $1.2 million. Set against the venue’s stunning natural beauty, the evening celebrated connection, philanthropy, and shared purpose.

For more than four decades, the Annual Benefit has played an important role in supporting the School’s mission. This year’s event continued that tradition, with net proceeds directly benefiting financial aid and helping ensure deserving students can thrive at Viewpoint.

Guests were welcomed onto the iconic Ferris Wheel Lawn for a vibrant cocktail reception featuring live music by student group The Four and a Half, photo opportunities, and conversation beneath the spring evening sky. 

The Heshmatpour Family served as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Benefit. Reflecting on the importance of supporting financial aid, Kathy Heshmatpour shared:

“Education is the most powerful tool we have for transformation. When we support financial aid, we do more than pay for a student’s tuition—we say to a child that you matter, that we believe in you.”

As dinner was served, Head of School Mark McKee welcomed guests before sharing remarks about the evening’s purpose.

“At Viewpoint, we believe access to an exceptional education should not be defined by circumstance, but by potential. That belief comes to life through our commitment to expanding opportunity,” shared McKee. “Tonight, your presence and support help open doors. It allows curious and driven students to learn, grow, and prepare for a changing world through an education that extends far beyond academics. When we invest in students, we are investing in world-ready individuals. That is the power of collective philanthropy.”

The evening’s program, titled “The Power of Opportunity,” featured moving remarks from alumnus Justin Pichetrungsi ’04, chef and owner of Anajak Thai and recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California in 2023. Justin reflected on the life-changing impact financial aid had on his educational journey and the opportunities it created for his future.

Guests also heard a heartfelt parent perspective from Taneka Johnson P’26 ’28, who shared how financial aid transformed her family’s educational journey. Johnson also spoke about how the Independent School Alliance helped connect her family to Viewpoint and opened new opportunities for her children.

“I dreamed of something better for my boys,” shared Johnson. “I desperately wanted to give them a better education, a different experience, and a safer environment. Through the gift of admission and a generous financial aid package, we joined Viewpoint with excitement for the future.”

As the evening continued, guests participated in an exceptionally successful live auction. Highlights included a VIP Los Angeles Rams luxury suite experience, a private Costa Rica villa getaway, a 2026 US Open experience in Billie Jean King’s luxury suite, and a luxurious cruise aboard a 100-foot super-yacht. By the end of the evening, the event had raised more than $1.2 million for financial aid.

Following the auction, alumna Annie Bosko ’04 delivered a special musical performance inside the Pavilion. The country music artist brought energy to the evening with a lively set that had guests on their feet.

The celebration continued late into the night with desserts, dancing, late-night bites, and a lively after-party complete with a Cuban cigar rolling experience, giving guests an opportunity to unwind and celebrate the success of the evening together. Support from Benefit underwriters, online auction participants, donors, and attendees helped extend the impact beyond the event itself.

The 43rd Annual Benefit once again demonstrated the remarkable spirit and philanthropic commitment of the Viewpoint community. Through an evening filled with storytelling, celebration, and shared purpose, the event reinforced Viewpoint’s commitment to expanding opportunity for current and future students.