The Real Story Behind the Book
"The Third Wave" 1967 original experiment
Where did it happen?
Elwood P. Cubberley Senior High School, Palo Alto, California, USA. The Ron Jones classroom was room C-3, and the final rally was in room H-1.
When did it happen - how long did it last?
Probably between 5 and 8 school days (either way, very quickly). While the experiment is generally described as a one-week event, there are some Third Wave students who remember it running into a second week. It is generally agreed by all involved that it began on a Monday. The school newspaper at the time said it ended on Wednesday, April 5, 1967, so it likely ran sometime between Monday, March 27, 1967 and Wednesday, April 5, 1967. Looking back, one student interviewed for the "Lesson Plan" documentary said it felt like 6 weeks.
What about the class overall?
Ron Jones' class was called "Contemporary World", and was a history class as part of the Social Studies Department. Subjects in Jones' class prior to The Third Wave included Russia, China and Africa. The Third Wave was part of the study of world conditions and events that led up to WWII. After The Third Wave, the subject was the Viet Nam war through the end of the school year. All year long, Jones presented the various sides of those subjects and their issues. He encouraged critical analysis of the material, and independent thinking.
Tell us about the teacher
Ron Jones was young (age 25), charismatic, enthusiastic, involved, energetic, innovative, very supportive of his students and those around him, and always had a smile on his face. He is still young at heart, and all of those things. This was his first full year as a teacher. Throughout the school year in this "Contemporary World" history class, he placed an emphasis on helping the students understand the different perspectives on issues, and learn to think for themselves.
Tell us about the students
The students were mostly age 15, and in 10th grade ("Sophomores"). This was their first year at Cubberley Senior High School. Most came from the three nearby junior high schools, and some had been friends for years in the elementary schools before that. Cubberley had about 1,200 students in three grades (10th/11th/12th = Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors). Most of the families were middle or upper middle class, with professional parents and students preparing to go to college. Cubberley was a school that prided itself on creativity and experimentation, and was likely one of the best high schools in the US. The students were mostly clean-cut and well behaved.
How many students were involved?
While the story is told in the context of a single class of about 30 students, there were in fact 3 Third Wave classes taught at the same time by Jones, which formed an initial group of about 90 Third Wave members. There were additional Cubberley students who regularly skipped other classes to attend Jones' classes, and still more who were recruited as new Third Wave members by the students. Some Cubberley teacher friends of Jones began to become involved. The school principal was rumored to be seen giving the salute. There was Third Wave news in the morning announcements over the Cubberley system, so the entire school heard it mentioned. At the final Third Wave rally, there were up to 200 Third Wave student members in the room.
Why were the students attracted to it?
It began as a game in class, was initially fun, and school grades depended on active participation. Ron Jones was the most popular teacher in school, young, and very charismatic. The students had already been in the class with him for 6 months, they trusted him, and this was not the first experiment they had done in class. The boys in class were about 2 years from being subject to the military draft and being forced to fight in the Viet Nam war. Peer pressure played a role, and for some students it was much more - a chance to be part of something greater than themselves, part of a group, part of a special group...
Did all students react the same?
No - as in real-world situations, some were active Third Wave members, many simply went along with it or stayed out of the way, and a few did acts of resistance
What happened after the final rally?
In the next regular meeting of class after the rally, Jones and the students discussed what had happened during The Wave. They shared thoughts and experiences, and reviewed what was learned from the experiment. In the meeting of class after that, they went back to routine studies of the next subject, Viet Nam. Some students were able to make the transition readily to the new studies, while others needed more time to reflect and recover from the Third Wave experience.
Was the Third Wave anti-Semitic or racist?
No, the Third Wave was not anti-Semitic or racist - it did not cross that line. There were a few Jewish students who participated in the class, and most of the Third Wave students were friends who grew up together.
Where did the name "Third Wave" come from?
From surfing lore (the third wave is the largest), not from Germany. The teacher was a surfer, and Cubberley is a one-hour drive to the surfing beaches.
How did the Third Wave logo look?
It varied a little within the class (students each made their own), but was generally an outline of a stylized ocean wave, with a wide bottom and curvy top.
Did the teacher have bodyguards?
Yes - students from the Third Wave class. They added to the authenticity of the experience, served to protect Jones in case of an incident (there were rumors of threats), and helped in enforcement of the rules.
What became of the students - where are they now?
Most went on to college and various creative and professional careers. They are scattered all around the US and the world, the same as any others.
The Interview with the original Wave member