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:
1,150 students
10% international Upper Campus students
124 zip codes represented
Average Class Size:
Lower Campus: 20
Upper Campus: 14
Student/faculty ratio:
Lower Campus: 7:1
Upper Campus: 9:1
Faculty:
131 full-time and 11 part-time
60 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: 2023-24
Pre-Kindergarten: $20,000
Kindergarten – 6th: $35,425
7th – 8th: $41,345
9th – 12th: $42,800
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. School and Student Service (SSS) 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 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 an innovative curriculum in a dynamic classroom environment.
LOWER SCHOOL
We view learning as an emotional endeavor, and so we emphasize a small student-teacher ratio and differentiated instruction so that each child is challenged to reach their highest potential. Beginning in the elementary years through 5th grade, students take engaging courses in language arts, math, social studies, science, library, art, music, creative movement, computer science, Spanish and physical education. Students are also immersed in an environment that emphasizes and values character development. Lessons and assemblies explicitly contextualize for the youngest learners what it means to be a person of good character.
To respect the social and emotional developmental age of the 11- and 12-yearold child, 6th graders commence their Middle School experience as the oldest students on the Lower Campus. Like their counterparts at the Upper School, they learn to be more independent as they navigate a rotating schedule and hone their time management, self-advocacy, and study skills. A dedicated team of 6th grade faculty teaches the core subjects of English, Latin, science, math, and history. Students also take art, music, library, physical education, and computer science classes.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
We design every learning experience to be exciting and purposeful, while meeting the educational and social needs of 7th and 8th graders. We emphasize intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral development, along with time management and organizational skills. We challenge and engage students through wide-ranging problem-solving and experiential learning opportunities. We offer optional community service activities 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, wide-ranging program focusing on further development of critical thinking and personalized college preparation, with 35 Honors and 24 AP courses. We have celebrated 8 National Merit Finalists and 30 National Merit Commended Scholars in the past five years, and 1 finalist in the National Shakespeare Contest.
Unique courses: Animation, Architecture, Advanced Web Development, Biotechnology, Design Thinking, Economics with Financial Literacy, Engineering, Forensic Science, Honors Research, Multivariable Calculus, Oceanography, Robotic Process Automation, 20th Century Philosophy, and Video Game Creation.
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:
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Precalculus
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: Lower School curriculum-based activities involve multi-age students that share important learning endeavors.
Service Learning: Project-based programs provide educational opportunities within and beyond the Lower through Upper School community.
Student Council: Students in grades 3-12 participate in the election and voting process to represent student interests on campus.
Peak Week: Experiential learning immersion program for Middle & Upper School students. Directed Research Program: Independent scholarship studies for Upper School students.
Peer Tutoring: Older students passionate in a particular subject mentor younger learners in need of additional help.
ATHLETICS
At Sierra Canyon, we are proud of our championship teams. The Class of 2023 left behind quite a legacy. On their collective resume are 2 state, 2 regional, and 6 CIF-SS championships in addition to 22 Gold Coast/Mission League titles. Twenty-six students will further their athletic careers in college. Our sports program’s “no tryout, no cut” policy allows each student to find a sport to excel in or simply enjoy regardless of skill level.
Upper School Teams:
Baseball Basketball
Beach Volleyball (Girls)
Cheer
Cross Country
Esports
Football (Boys)
Golf (Boys & Girls)
Lacrosse (Boys)
Soccer
Softball
Swimming/Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball (Girls)
Middle School Teams:
Baseball Basketball
Cross Country
Esports
Flag Football
Golf
Lacrosse (Boys & Girls)
Soccer
Swimming/Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball (Girls)
Lower School Teams:
Baseball Basketball
Flag Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball