14 - Willard E. Badham III, Headmaster
Willard E. Badham III began working for Carl F. Curtis part-time in 1946, and full time in 1948 after completing his service in the Navy during World War II and his education at USC. He was the director of physical education until 1964, when he bought the school from Carl F. Curtis, who then retired. Mr. Badham was the school's third headmaster and the first principal/head of school who was not a member of the Curtis family.
During his 28-year tenure as headmaster, Mr. Badham, affectionately known as “Baddy,” grew the school’s enrollment to more than 500 students and expanded grades taught to include 7th-9th, as well as developmental kindergarten. Mr. Badham transitioned the school from proprietary to non-profit, created a board of trustees, and located the undeveloped 27-acre property on Mulholland that would become the future permanent home of Curtis School. Under his leadership, the campus began to take shape with construction of several of the main buildings (Ahmanson, Tuttle and the Admin building), the athletics fields and courts, and the swimming pool. Many of the Curtis traditions we observe today arose during his headship. Mr. Badham retired in 1992 after devoting 46 years to Curtis School.
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During his 28-year tenure as headmaster, Mr. Badham, affectionately known as “Baddy,” grew the school’s enrollment to more than 500 students and expanded grades taught to include 7th-9th, as well as developmental kindergarten. Mr. Badham transitioned the school from proprietary to non-profit, created a board of trustees, and located the undeveloped 27-acre property on Mulholland that would become the future permanent home of Curtis School. Under his leadership, the campus began to take shape with construction of several of the main buildings (Ahmanson, Tuttle and the Admin building), the athletics fields and courts, and the swimming pool. Many of the Curtis traditions we observe today arose during his headship. Mr. Badham retired in 1992 after devoting 46 years to Curtis School.
