The school's namesake, Olive Peirce, was a teacher in Ramona in the 1890s. The Charles R. Nunn Performing Arts Center on campus hosts shows, concerts and public meetings throughout the year. Every morning at the school, the student video-production class presents a broadcast on campus. The class also enters some of its productions into contests. Eighth-graders at Olive Peirce have a chance to go to Washington, D.C. The school also offers an after-school program featuring arts and crafts, science, fitness, gardening, drama, sports and leadership activities.