But while the school is celebrating its golden anniversary with a community event on May 3, it is, in actuality, the oldest school in the Los Gatos Union School District and one of the oldest in the state, having been around 144 years.

According to Lisa Sgarlato, Lexington Home and School Club board secretary, Lexington started as a one-room schoolhouse in 1859 and was the only school between San Jose and Santa Cruz. A second room wasn't built until 1928, after the school had moved to another location.

In 1953, Sgarlato said, Lexington opened its doors on its present five-acre site just above the Alma Fire Station. Sgarlato said, "Our little school doesn't have a lot of frills but is built in a very functional, open style. In its beautiful, majestic mountain setting, the site of the old school can be seen across the reservoir."

Organizers are hoping that Saturday's Day on the Green, too, will be seen across the reservoir, as activities will take place all over the school. In keeping with the 1950s theme, there will be a "Rumble on the Lower Field"—games and activities for children of all ages on the school's lower field, said Home and School Club President Tricia Hemminger.

Also taking up quite a bit of space are the 33 vehicles in the classic car show, coordinated by Principal Raf Strudley. The models range from Bentleys to Cobras to Jaguars to Thunderbirds to Aston Martins; the oldest car was built in 1918 and the newest is a 2001 Ferrari.

"I'm looking for a draw to keep total families involved," Strudley said. "I'm always looking for a way to draw dads. I'm a dad, and I love cars."

People will be able to vote for their top three favorite cars, and the owners will receive trophies and People's Choice awards. All participants will walk away with certificates of appreciation, and a raffle is tied to those who vote for their favorites.

Last year, Strudley recruited 20 cars to be shown at the car show. "I heard nothing but positive comments about what a neat thing to hook the dads," Strudley said. This year he stopped with 33 samples because of space limitations and is already thinking about next year's event. "I'm going to focus on the woodys—wood-sided surfmobiles," Strudley said.

The community is also pitching in, donating items for the silent auction, such as weekend getaways and jewelry made by mountain residents, as well as student-made crafts baskets. "The parents go crazy over those things," Hemminger said. Nonno's Ralph Di Tullio is barbecuing donated food, and Laughing Rocks, a band fronted by Lexington parents Ralph and Leah Aguayo, are providing entertainment.

According to Sgarlato, the Day on the Green is the biggest fundraiser for the Home and School Club. The club aims to raise $15,000 at the event, and "all money will go directly to the child's classroom," Sgarlato said, "basically paying for everything over reading and writing."

"We like to fund things that the district can't," Hemminger said. The club pays for art programs, computer staff and the Lifelab gardening program.

According to Hemminger, the fundraiser's previous incarnation was as a dinner event off-campus. "We decided to turn it into kind of a festival atmosphere," Hemminger said, with parents' suggestions to make it inclusive for all ages.

Parent volunteers have been working on the Day on the Green, the school's second such event, since the beginning of the year and have sent invitations to former teachers and alumni.

"I can't say enough for the people who put this on," Strudley said. Lexington credits parents, the community and Los Gatos Union School District officials for helping Lexington survive and thrive.

"It's our 50th anniversary and we're raising money for the kids," Strudley said. "Lexington's a great little school. We're one of the best-kept secrets in Santa Clara Valley."

Day on the Green is from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on May 3. Food tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for youth; tickets for just the classic car show are available for $5. To purchase tickets, call the school at 408.335.2150.