Overview: Facts, Figures, and Offerings
Sierra Canyon’s carefully designed Pre-K through Grade 12 program builds curiosity and mastery in equal measure, fully preparing your child for college, career, and life beyond. Our approach— which we call Learning forward—reflects the committed efforts of every member of our extended community. Here’s an overview of who we are, what we do, and how you can find out more.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Founded: 1978
Founders: Mick Horwitz and Howard Wang
Head of School: Jim Skrumbis
Grades: Pre-K through Grade 12
Mascot: Trailblazer
Enrollment:
1,200 students
10% international Upper Campus students
124 zip codes represented
Average Class Size:
Lower Campus: 20
Upper Campus: 15
Student/faculty ratio:
Lower Campus: 8:1
Upper Campus: 10:1
Faculty:
131 full-time and 11 part-time
52% hold advanced degrees
40 have been at Sierra Canyon for 10+ years
Physical Campus:
2 adjacent campuses
42 total acres with 25 buildings
Transportation:
Daily buses from Agoura Hills, Bel-Air, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Culver City, Hidden Hills, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Tarzana, Valencia, Westchester, West Hills, and Woodland Hills
TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
Tuition and Fees: 2025-26
Pre-Kindergarten: $27,500
Kindergarten – 6th: $39,800
7th – 12th: $46,300
New Student Fee: $1,200
Sierra Canyon has a financial aid program that is administered fairly, clearly communicated, and consistently applied in accordance with the principles and practices of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
The School’s financial aid program is designed to help support families who demonstrate financial need. Clarity for Financial Aid is used in determining a family’s level of need. To find out more and to access forms, please visit sierracanyonschool.org.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Sierra Canyon is committed to instilling intellectual curiosity in students and providing an excellent education that will serve as a foundation for life. Students are challenged to Learn forward and achieve their full potential individually and as part of a community. Creative, social, emotional, physical, digital, and ethical development is heavily emphasized within the academic program. Expert teachers deliver a challenging and engaging curriculum in a dynamic classroom environment.
LOWER SCHOOL
At Sierra Canyon, we believe learning is both emotional and intellectual. Small class sizes and differentiated instruction in reading and math ensure every student is appropriately challenged and supported to reach their full potential. From Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade, students engage in a robust, interdisciplinary curriculum including language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, library, art, music, wellness, computer science, Spanish, and physical education. Character education is woven throughout, helping students develop integrity, empathy, and responsibility through lessons and assemblies.
As the oldest students on the Lower Campus, sixth graders take on leadership roles and grow more independent. They follow a rotating schedule and build key executive functioning skills, including time management, self-advocacy, and study strategies. A dedicated faculty team provides core instruction in English, Latin, science, mathematics, and history, complemented by specialist-taught courses in art, music, library, physical education, and computer science for a comprehensive, developmentally responsive experience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
We design every learning experience to be exciting and purposeful, while meeting the educational and social needs of 7th and 8th graders. Intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral development is emphasized along with time management and organizational skills. Students are challenged and engaged through wide-ranging problem-solving and experiential learning opportunities. Optional community service activities are offered throughout the year to engage students with organizations and to introduce service as a lifelong pursuit. Additional opportunities include computer coding, competitive math class and team, grade level trips, student government, electives, student-run clubs, and athletics.
UPPER SCHOOL
We immerse Upper School students in a challenging, comprehensive program focusing on further development of critical thinking and personalized college preparation, with 37 Honors courses and AP preparation in 24 areas. Qualified students are inducted yearly into National Honor Society and Cum Laude. In the last few years, we’ve celebrated 9 National Merit Finalists and 35 National Merit Commended Scholars, 1 first-place at The International Bridge Building Contest, and 1 student for the second year in a row representing on Team USA in the International Math Olympiad.
Unique courses: Ancient Greek Culture, Architecture, Engineering, Forensic Science, Honors Research, Multi-Media Sports Marketing, Honors Multivariable Calculus, Music Production, Oceanography, 20th Century Philosophy, Honors Software Engineering, and Honors Senior Theatre Conservatory.
Extracurricular opportunities: Clubs, athletics, Speech and Debate, student government, literary magazine, newspaper, performing arts, yearbook, and Esports.
APs OFFERED
English:
English Language
English Literature
Math: Precalculus
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Statistics
History: Art History
European History
US Government
US History
World History
Performing Arts:
Music Theory
Science:
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Physics I
Physics II
Physics C
Technology: Computer Science Principles
Computer Science A
Visual Arts:
Studio Art
World Languages:
French Language & Culture
Latin
Spanish Language & Culture
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Character Education: Students are immersed in an environment that emphasizes and values character development. We are ever-committed to growing young minds and hearts.
Cross-Age Partnerships: Students connect across grade levels through rotating partnerships centered around service projects, academic events, and theme days, fostering community and collaboration.
Service Learning: Project-based programs provide educational opportunities within and beyond the Lower through Upper School community.
Student Leadership: Students in grades 4–12 take on leadership roles where they represent their peers, lead initiatives, and make meaningful contributions to campus life.
Peak Week: Experiential learning immersion program for Middle & Upper School students.
Wellness Wednesdays: Dedicated days for our Upper Campus community to prioritize physical and mental well-being – filled with special activities to allow our students to recharge and focus on their journey to a healthier self.
ARTS
With rich course offerings in both the performing and visual arts, our program is designed to encourage students to challenge themselves and to explore the depth and breadth of creativity. Beginning on the Lower Campus, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to explore various mediums, both visual and performing, continuing through Middle School and culminating in the opportunity for highly motivated Upper School AP Studio Art students to submit their digital portfolios for college credit. Students in grades PreK through 12 are given multiple opportunities to showcase their talents in music ensembles, dance companies, film festivals, and theatrical performances.
ATHLETICS
Our Sierra Canyon athletic program’s grade 4 through 12 “no tryout, no cut” policy allows your child to find a sport to excel in, or simply enjoy, regardless of skill level. We are proud of our championship teams, and the class of 2025 left behind quite a legacy. On their collective resume are 1 national, 2 state, and 4 CIF-SS championships in addition to 20 Gold Coast and Mission League titles. Twenty-five graduates will further their athletic careers in college.
A list of the top 100 colleges and universities where students from the classes of 2021–2025 were accepted. The bolded colleges are where at least one student has matriculated.
American University
Amherst College
Arizona State University
Art Center College of Design
Auburn University
Babson College
Bates College
Baylor University
Bentley University
Berklee College of Music
Binghamton University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Brigham Young University
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Claremont McKenna College
Clark Atlanta University
Colgate University
Columbia University
Cornell University
DePaul University
Duke University
Emerson College
Emory University
Fordham University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hampton University
Harvard University
Harvey Mudd College
Howard University
Johns Hopkins University
Lehigh University
Loyola Marymount University
Macalester College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Middlebury College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
Pomona College
Princeton University
Purdue University
Reed College
Rice University
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of California-Berkeley
University of California-Davis
University of California-Irvine
University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-San Diego
University of California-
Santa Barbara
University of California-Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Florida
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Texas at Austin
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vassar College
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wesleyan University
William & Mary
Yale University