Los Angeles magazine - 2021 Guide to Private Schools

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2021 GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS INSIDE: PROFILES AND STATS FROM A COLLECTION OF L.A.’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Sierra Canyon School

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Celebrating Fifty Years PS1 LA Mag full page.indd 1

Each child is one of a kind.

So is each PS1 journey.

Inquire and Apply: psone.org 7/28/21 11:36

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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES 1105 West Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506 (818) 994-2961 | internationalschool.la The International School of Los Angeles is a nonprofit, independent, international preschool through 12th grade school committed to bilingual education and academic excellence in a nurturing environment. The School’s mission is to develop bilingual critical thinkers who are open-minded, confident and caring, and equipped to thrive in a diverse, competitive world.

THE STATS

Recognized as one of the most academically challenging private high schools in the United States, the International School of Los Angeles has been leading the way in bilingual education for more than 40 years. The School’s curriculum is a bilingual journey with a

Year Founded: 1978 Grades Served: Preschool–12th grade Current Enrollment Number: 1,024 Student-Faculty Ratio: Varies Graduation Rate: 100% Uniforms Required (Yes or No): No Tuition: $19,995 - $24,900

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carefully composed trajectory in English and French. At the end of this journey, students are bilingual and bicultural, exploring concepts and transferring skills with ease in both languages.

All students study a common bilingual program from preschool through 8th grade, after which they choose one of two rigorous programs that culminates in the International Baccalaureate® Diploma or the French baccalauréat. As of the 2019-20 school year, students entering the School’s international track in ninth through 12th grade are no longer required to demonstrate proficiency in French but should display an interest in learning another language. After 10th grade, students formally apply to, and enroll in, the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme or the French baccalauréat program including the OIB (option internationale du baccalauréat). All choices provide demanding and well-balanced courses of study that meet the needs of highly motivated students and empower them to be successful citizens of the world.

Since 1978, the School has been instilling the love of learning in its students through small classes and low student-to-teacher ratios. With over 65 nationalities and 40 spoken languages represented across the School’s multiple Los Angeles-area campuses (Burbank, Los Feliz, Pasadena, and West Valley), students study and live in a global community every day.

Top Awards/Recognitions: Most Challenging Program in a Private High School – Jay Mathews Challenge Index (Since 2015) Accreditations: French Ministry of Education, International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

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THE HELP GROUP SCHOOLS Sherman Oaks, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Culver City, and Irvine (877) 943-5747 | thehelpgroup.org Open House: Schedule an appointment at admissions@thehelpgroup.org At the heart of The Help Group’s efforts is the commitment to helping young people with special needs related to autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse, and emotional challenges fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive, and rewarding lives.

The Help Group’s nine specialized day schools offer preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and transition programs, and are certified by the California State Department of Education. The schools, located on five campuses in the Los Angeles area and Irvine, provide prescriptive teaching, small classes, individualized curriculum, and enrichment activities to maximize learning. What separates the schools from others are additional unique offerings, such as social skills training, counseling, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, career counseling and vocational education.

THE STATS

The Help Group Schools include Bridgeport School, Bridgeport Vocational Center, North Hills Prep, Sunrise School, Summit View School, STEM3 Academy, Village Glen School, Westview School of Arts, and Young Learners Preschool.

Year Founded: 1975 Grades Served: Pre-K – 12+ (up to age 22) Current Enrollment Number: 1,250 Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1 minimum Tuition: Private and public funding accepted

College Prep and AP Classes Offered: Yes Accreditations: Certified by the California State Department of Education; WASC (North Hills Prep, STEM3 Academy, Summit View School, Village Glen School, Westview School of the Arts)

LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL 17100 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91316 (818) 990-1006 | losencinosschool.org Open House: October 6, 2021 and November 17, 2021 (check website for current dates and times)

THE STATS

Located in the heart of Encino on Ventura Boulevard, Los Encinos School is relatively small in size—one classroom for each K-6 grade—yet huge in its commitment to each individual child. The benefits of a small student-to-teacher ratio are well-known, and LES provides that crucial foundation without sacrificing any of the “big school” programs. Ever since the school was founded in 1980, the philosophy has been focused on the importance of beginnings, knowing that each child is unique, and guiding each child to reach their full potential.

Rigorous academics are integrated with a rich arts and humanities curriculum that includes drama and music, intramural sports, and STEAM. A schoolwide “Virtues & Values” initiative spans all grade levels. Watch the video of the recent sixth-grade service project at losencinosschool.org/service. And see this gem of a school for yourself at a tour or open house, fall 2021

Year Founded: 1980 Grades Served: K-6 Current Enrollment Number: 170 Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Graduation Rate: 100% Uniforms Required: No uniform (dress code in place) Tuition: $31,100 Accreditations: NAIS, CAIS, WASC

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SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL 11052 Independence Avenue | 20801 Rinaldi Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 882-8121 | sierracanyonschool.org Open House: Reservations required at VisitingSC.org.

Lower Campus, grades Pre-K–6: Sunday, November 7, 10 a.m.

Upper Campus, grades 7–12: Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m.

THE STATS

Sierra Canyon School is a complete pre-kindergarten through grade 12 experience that fully equips students to rethink the familiar and embrace the unknown. It is a place where ingenious teachers, intrepid students, and forward-thinking leaders work together to shape an education on the adventurous edge. Teachers create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, on the stage, on the playing field and court, and on life-changing journeys. Graduates are primed to excel at the finest colleges and universities, forge purposeful careers, and employ their unshakable optimism to improve the wider world. At Sierra Canyon School, our students gain unstoppable momentum to learn and explore, propelling them toward a lifetime of self-directed success. We call that Learning forward.

Year Founded: 1978 Grades Served: Pre-K–12 Current Enrollment Number: 1,150 Student-Faculty Ratio: 8:1 Lower Campus; 10:1 Upper Campus Graduation Rate: 100% Uniforms Required: Lower Campus (Pre-K–6) Yes; Upper Campus (7–12) Dress Code Only

Tuition: $16,000 to $39,200 Top Awards/Recognitions: According to Niche, Sierra Canyon School is ranked: #7 of 631 Most Diverse Private High Schools in California #10 of 179 Best Private K-12 Schools in California Accreditations: NAIS, CAIS, Western Association of Schools and Colleges

ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 625 South St. Andrew’s Place, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (213) 382-2315 | sjsla.org Open House: Saturdays October 16, November 6, and December 4, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

For over half a century, St. James’ Episcopal School has inspired a lifelong love of learning in our students. Our academically rigorous program is blended with a robust service learning program; our students learn in ageappropriate ways about our complicated, but beautiful world.

With team-teaching and an emphasis on the socio-emotional aspect of learning, at St. James’, every child is not only seen and heard, but affirmed and nurtured. Our kindergarten program has one of the lowest studentto-teacher ratios in Los Angeles; and all of our students participate in a rich performing arts program that includes dance, instrumental music, and theater arts.

THE STATS

An Episcopal institution, St. James’ is a faith-inclusive school; students learn about all of the world’s major religions and to hold respect for different faith traditions. Our children are encouraged to question, embrace creativity, and be joyful global citizens.

Grades: Pre-K – 6th grade Enrollment: 350 Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Tech Devices for Students: 1:1 Annual Financial Aid Budget: $1.2M Zip Codes: 43

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Diversity: 8% African-American 30% Asian-American 30% Caucasian 3% Latinx/Hispanic 25% Multiracial 4% Other/Chose Not to Report

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL 737 Hawaii Street, El Segundo, CA 90425 (310) 643-7377 | vistamarschool.org Open House: October 23 and December 11, 2021; January 8, 2022 Vistamar is a college-preparatory school committed to the idea that there’s a better way to do high school. Vistamar builds independent thinkers with diverse viewpoints who are better prepared for college and the world beyond.

Students learn to balance academic rigor with their passions, supported by a strong community.

Vistamar has drawn from best practices worldwide to create an integrated curriculum serving the needs of students in the information-rich 21st century. The program fosters technological acumen, independent problemsolving, and collaborative work. An average class size of 14 allows faculty to interact closely with individual students to support them through the challenges this rigorous program entails.

THE STATS

Our values of equity and inclusion have profoundly shaped Vistamar’s multicultural curriculum, vibrant student co-curricular life, lively family engagement, and educational programming. Students learn more in an environment where preconceived notions are continuously challenged by fellow students and faculty who come from different backgrounds.

Tuition: $42,000 Accreditations: California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Member of NAIS, CIS.

Year Founded: 2005 Grades Served: 9-12 Current Enrollment Number: 270 Student-Faculty Ratio: 8:1 Graduation Rate: 100% Uniforms Required: No

WESTMARK SCHOOL 5461 Louise Avenue, Encino, CA 91316 (818) 986-5045 | westmarkschool.org Open House: Sunday, October 17, 2021, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Westmark School transforms the lives of students in grades 2 through 12 with diagnosed learning and attention issues like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other language-based learning differences. These students also have bright minds and unique learning styles, but have not been fully served in a traditional school environment. Since Westmark students learn differently, Westmark teaches differently.

THE STATS

Westmark’s college-preparatory, strengths-based curriculum is built on proven research-based methodologies and differentiates instruction to support diverse learners. Curriculum is tailored to individual learning styles so students learn and achieve academically, socially, and emotionally.

Westmark’s multi-modal approach integrates assistive and educational technologies to promote executive functioning and help students access the curriculum, enabling them to explore their world and learn to love learning again. Students realize their unique strengths and discover their personal academic style, affinities, and areas of need, as they learn to advocate for themselves and reach for success, both inside and outside of school.

Year Founded: 1983 Grades Served: 2–12 Current Enrollment Number: 235 Student-Faculty Ratio: No more than 12:1; 8:1 or 4:1 in core content classes Graduation Rate: 100%

Uniforms Required: Yes Tuition: $54,840 Accreditations: WASC, CAIS Contact: Director of Admissions, Cindy Goodman - cgoodman@westmarkschool.org

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VILLAGE SCHOOL 780 North Swarthmore Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (310) 459-8411 | village-school.org Open House: October 13 and 27; November 10

This is childhood.

We Are Village We are a village of ambitious achievers.

We are a village of impassioned educators.

We are a village of new and seasoned artists.

We are a village of determined athletes.

Fall Admissions Events September 22: Admissions Info Session October 13: Open House October 27: Open House November 10: Open House November 17: Village Voices: A Conversation with Leadership

THE STATS

Please visit village-school.org/admissions-events to RSVP.

Year Founded: 1977 Grades Served: TK – 6 Current Enrollment Number: 290 Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1

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Uniforms Required: Yes Tuition: $34,904 for all grades Accreditations: WASC and CAIS Affiliations: NAIS