As the discussions continued, it was decided that one year of college work would be added immediately and another year of work would be added the following year. The initial enrollment in September 1924 was approximately 270—132 women and 90 men—and they were served by a faculty of thirty-one. Although less than one month old, PJC was one of the largest junior colleges in California.

The chief officer of PJC was the principal, who served under the Superintendent of Schools. The principal’s administrative staff consisted of a Dean of Men, Dean of Women, Dean of Guidance and Dean of Records. Under these were chairmen of departments and a staff of teachers. The "Principal’s Council," which consisted of the four deans and department chairmen that formed the policy-making body. Additionally, the chairmen presided over monthly department meetings with their teaching personnel.

Also during 1924, the Vocational School was established on North Lincoln Avenue. This educational facility gradually developed into the John Muir Technical High School, which would later be used as the West Campus of Pasadena Junior College. Later, the Lincoln Avenue facility became John Muir College and, eventually, John Muir High School.

In 1926, "continuation" or extension classes were offered in the afternoons for the benefit of part-time students. Student guidance began with the addition of counselors to the college staff in 1927. The PJC Publicity Bureau was created in 1928. 1929 PJC unit of ROTC formed.

Clubs and Organizations

The new junior college attracted the attention of honorary societies. In 1925, Alpha Gamma Sigma founded the PJC chapter Alpha—the first in California.

The Order of Mast and Dagger, founded on 7 June 1927, was aimed at recognizing "distinguished service rendered the Junior College, cooperation with the administration and student government in solving the larger problems of student activity, and to act as official hosts to visiting teams and other guests to the college."

PJC debaters achieved immediate success. They won the first three Southern California Junior College debating championships, 1924-1927.

Various clubs and organizations, aimed at students interested in particular academics, athletics or social activities, quickly sprang up at the college. In 1929 they were organized under either the Non-Restrictive Inter-Club Council or the Restrictive Inter-Club Council. Non-restrictive clubs were open to all students. Restrictive clubs were those who "pledged" members and offered membership only by invitation—often from the 13^th and 14^th grades only. The student officers of these councils were charged with enforcing the rules established by the college's General Inter-Organization Council whose goal was to interest every student in some form of social or vocational activity.

There were some sixty non-restrictive organizations, including: Alpha, who recognized exceptional upper division scholarship; Eteri, who encouraged Christian fellowship and Bible study; Aquilas, who fostered leadership in Girl Scout work, and students involved in the Y.M.C.A and Y.W.C.A. The Cosmopolitan club encouraged world fellowship, the T Cup and Saucer created interest in home economics, and as their names suggest. The Commerce, Radio, Engineering, Biology, Aero, Silver Screen and Forestry clubs sought to stimulate interest in those areas. Still other groups attracted students interested in certain languages and cultures, such as, Japanese, Deutscher Verein (German), La Causerie Franciase, Le Cercle Francaise (France), Sodalitas Latina (Latin), Rocinante (Spain), La Hispaniola (Spanish). For those students who enjoyed literature and poetry there were the Junior Dickens Fellowship, Rhyme and Rhythm, Pen and Quill, and the Triple "S". History and international studies students could participate in the Quill and Question and Clio, and for those involved in dramatics and drama there were the Player's Guild, Bauble and Bells, and the Stage Craft Guild. The Steak and Daub was created for students involved in art.

For students engaged in athletics, there were specific organizations: Lettermen, Men's Fencing Club, Pragma (gymnasics) Mat and Glove (wrestling, boxing, etc.), Big "P" (women who earned letters), Women's Athletic Association, Women's Rifle Club, and the Women's Fencing Club. The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) was active on campus with its own band. There was the Non-Commissioned Officers club and the Shield and Eagle for officers of the corps.

Restrictive clubs clubs included those for women students interested in social activities, such as the Abracadabra, Adelphotes, Aeolian, "Club", Cycle, Gunaikes, One Club, Phoenix, T Club, and Tri-Hi. The men's clubs included the Areopagites, Baccalaureate, M.O.S., Roma, Rostrum, and Sequoia. The Phrenocosmia included both men and women in its membership.

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