| Calvary Christian Pre-School | 701 Palisades Dr. | 573-0082 |
| Kehillat Israel Early Childhood Center | 16019 Sunset Blvd.. | 459-4413 |
| Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles | 16720 Marquez Ave. | 454-9395 |
| Little Dolphins by the Sea (A subsidiary of Seven Arrows) | 15601 Sunset Blvd. | 454-7277 |
| Methodist Pre-School | 800 Via De La Paz | 454-4600 |
| Palisades Lutheran Pre-School | 15905 Sunset Blvd. | 459-3425 |
| Palisades Montessori | 16706 Marquez Ave. | 454-6497 |
| Presbyterian Nursery School | 15821 Sunset Blvd. | 454-0737 |
| Rustic Canyon Cooperative Nursery School | 601 Latimer Road | 450-1049 |
| St Matthew's Pre-School | 1031 Bienveneda Ave. | 454-1359 |
The public schools in Pacific Palisades and Brentwoood are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, (213) 625-5437, whereas Santa Monica has its own public school system.
| Canyon Charter Elementary School, 421 Entrada Dr. was founded in 1894 and is the oldest elementary in Los Angeles. Presently 347 students fill its kindergarten through 5th-grade classes. The number of classes varies per grade as does the number of students per classroom. At all three public elementary schools, enrollment is limited to 20 students per class in grades 1 to 3. Enrollment for Fall begins this Spring. Contact: (310) 454-7510. |
| Marquez Charter Elementary School, 16821 Marquez Ave., founded in 1955, has 620 students enrolled in its kindergarten through 5th grades. The number of classes per grade as well as the number of students in each room varies (20 students per class in grades 1 to 3). Charter applications are available in January as are enrollment packets (for residents living west of Temescal Canyon Road). The application period for non-residents ends March 31. Contact: (310) 454-4019. |
| Palisades Charter Elementary School, 800 Via De La Paz, was founded in 1931 and serves 444 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The number of classes per grade level varies, with an average of 20 students in each of the K through 3rd grade classes, and 33 in the 4th and 5th grade rooms. Enrollment begins in January and is on going, with a lottery beginning in April for those families outside of the attendance area. Contact: (310) 454-3700. |
| Paul Revere Middle School (Grades 6 through 8), 1450 Allenford Ave., was founded in l955, and now includes a mathematics and science technology magnet center. The school has an enrollment of 1,700, with an average of 37 students in each classroom, and approximately 12 classes per grade. Enrollment periods vary according to the application-charter, with or without transportation, or magnet-and is based on residency. Contact: (310) 451-5789. |
| Palisades High School (Grades 9 through 12), 15777 Bowdoin St., was founded in 1961. There are 2,460 students enrolled in grades 9 through 12, with an average of 40 students per classroom. The application period begins the first week of October and extends through mid-January. Applications received after this period are placed on a waiting list. A charter or magnet application is required. Contact: (310) 454-0611. |
| Temescal Canyon Continuation High School, 777 Temescal Canyon Rd., was founded in 1978. Seventy-five students are enrolled in grades 10 through 12, with about 15 students in each classroom, and 25 students per grade. There are no enrollment requirements for the students, all of whom work at an individual pace. Contact: (310) 454-0315. |
| The Archer School for Girls, 15240 La Cruz Dr., accommodates 122 students in grades 6 through 9, with plans to expand one grade level per year until the school eventually includes a 12th grade. Class size averages 14 students. The enrollment period begins on September 1 and extends through January 31, but the school will consider application through the summer if space is available. Archer School was founded on November 15, 1994. (310) 230-1239. |
| Calvary Christian School, 701 Palisades Dr., has 345 students in its kindergarten through 8th-grade classes. The school, founded in August 1989, has expanded to include two classes per grade with an average of 17 to 20 students in each room. Enrollment for the school begins the first week of November and ends the beginning of February. (310) 573-0082. |
| Corpus Christi Catholic School, 890 Toyopa Dr., was founded in 1951 for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Enrollment totals 322, with one class per grade level (except for 6th grade, which has two groups). There are 30 to 35 students in each class. Enrollment begins on October 1 and extends through May; applications will be accepted throughout the year if space is available. (310) 454-9411. |
| St Matthew's Parish School, 1031 Bienveneda Ave., was founded in l949. There are 320 students enrolled in grades K through 8, with one class per grade level; class size averages 26 to 34 students. Enrollment begins on October 1 and extends through February 1, with later applications accepted depending upon available space. Enrollment is based primarily upon developmental and academic preparedness. (310) 454-1350. |
| Village School, 780 Swarthmore Ave., was founded in 1977 and serves students from kindergarten through 6th grade. There are currently 255 students enrolled, with two classes per grade level (the kindergarten has three classes), and an average of 16 students per classroom. Interested parents can begin application proceedings up to 18 months prior to the start of the school year their child will begin attending. Acceptance to Village is based upon the school's evaluation and/or testing process, interviews, teacher recommendations and transcripts, if applicable. (310) 459-8411. |
Due in part to the high cost of local private schools, elementary-school class-size reduction (maximum 20 students per room K-3), and a baby boom at the first grade level, the Santa Monica Unified School District is under siege for classroom space. If you have recently moved into the area and plan to enroll your child, K-3, into public schools, make application at once. Be aware that your designated school (by your location) may be full. Your child may be sent to another elementary school until there is room at your local school.
This space shortage is particularly acute at the Franklin and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. There is plenty of space at Lincoln Middle School and Santa Monica High School.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is renowned for its instrumental music program. Over 50% of the 4th and 5th graders participate in this program.
Over 90% of Santa Monica High School grads go on to post-secondary educational institutions.
SANTA MONICA MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 310.450.8338
| Carlthorp School, 438 San Vicente Blvd. This conscious, K-6 private school is thought to be one of the best private elementary schools in the country. Maximum 20 students per classroom, the school has been through much renovation in its 50+ year history and now there are two classrooms per grade. Admissions are primarily for Kindergarten and are considered the previous November for the following school year. The school currently has an enrollment of 233 and will grow to 280 in September of 1998. (310) 451-1332 |
| Crossroads School. Two campuses, K-5 at Olympic Blvd. Campus (between 17th and 18th), 6-12 at 21st and Olympic Blvd. Currently, the school has reached maximum enrollment. The admission deadline for 1998-1999 school year was January 7, l998. (310) 828-1196 |
Public Elementary Schools general Information (213) 625-5437. Boundaries vary.
| Kenter Canyon Elementary School, K-5, (310) 472-5918. |
| Brentwood Unified Science Magnet School (total application school, packages available in January), K-5, (310) 826-5621. |
| Paul Revere Middle School (Grades 6-8), located in Pacific Palisades (see above). (310) 451-5789. |
| University High School (Grades 9-12), South of Sunset and East of Bundy, (310) 478-9833. |
| Palisades High School (Grades 9-12), located in Pacific Palisades (see above). (310) 454-0611. |
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Brentwood School is a K-12, coeducational, independent, college-preparatory day school located on two campuses in Brentwood. The Lower School has 300 students, grades K-6, and offers a comprehensive academic program stressing individual growth, personal responsibility, and creativity. The Upper School, with 650 students in grades 7-12, offers college preparatory level as well as strong programs in studio and performing arts, athletics, community service, and journalism. Applications accepted until January 30. Grade 7 accepts new students. Check with the school for admissions for grades 8-12. West Campus, Grades K-6, 12001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90049, (310) 471-1041. Main Campus, Grades 7-12, 100 South Barrington Place, Los Angeles 90049, (310) 476-9633 Internet: http://www.bwscampus.com |
| St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, Grades K-8. Application packages are available October. Average classroom size 32 students. (310) 472-7419. |
The nearby colleges and universities include:
UCLA - University of California at Los Angeles, located in Westwood.
Santa Monica College - I can personally vouch for the quality of the teachers and professors at SMC. SMC has the highest rate of transferees to UCLA and USC of any Junior College. SMC is also home to KCRW, 89.9 FM, one of the most popular public radio stations in the country.
Mount St. Mary's Chalon Campus, located in Brentwood.
Pepperdine University, located in Malibu.
USC - University of Southern California, is not located in Westside LA, but in University Park, just west of downtown Los Angeles. However, there are so many loyal USC alumni/ae living in the Westside that USC had to be included in this short list.