A Look at Pacific Palisades Preschools
By COCO MERRITT | Intern
As summer comes to a close and back-to-school season begins, many parents are looking to send their kids to school for the first time. Here are a few preschools for parents to look out for enrollment this fall.
St. Matthew’s Parish School
Founded in 1949, St. Matthew’s Parish School is home to the St. Matthew’s Early Childhood Division. Holding four classrooms and three play areas, St. Matthew’s focuses on learning through experimental interaction.
St. Matthew’s offers a variety of different hands-on learning options, as the school believes play is one of the most valuable ways for children to learn about the world around them. Children also receive whole group, small group and individual learning experience, as well as teacher-directed and self-directed learning.
St. Matthew’s offers preschool and pre-kindergarten to encourage growth across all areas of child development. Preschool is offered to children turning 3 before August 1, and pre-k is offered to children turning 4 before August 1.
stmatthewsschool.com/apps/pages/program/early-childhood-2
Methodist Preschool
Established in 1945, Methodist Preschool is a nonprofit private preschool designed to welcome all children and create a community in which all families are respected. The preschool is an extension of the United Methodist Community Church of Pacific Palisades but welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs.
Methodist allows for children to learn in the way that they believe is best: self interest. Methodist teachers work with students to create a curriculum that is best suited toward the children’s interests.
The importance of development in all aspects is Methodist’s priority, and for that reason the school focuses on holistic development so all children can grow emotionally, cognitively, and academically.
With an overall goal of instilling a love of learning in children, Methodist offers preschool and an Extended Day program (transitional kindergarten). The school year runs from September to June, and divides children into six classes by age and gender.
Palisades Presbyterian Preschool
Reborn as Palisades Preschool in 1999, Palisades Presbyterian Preschool focuses on educating the “whole child” and giving students an opportunity to grow and learn through exploration.
Their unique “Outdoor Classroom Project” was made possible after being the first preschool in Los Angeles County to be certified as an Outdoor Classroom Demonstration Site. This project allows students to grow as they “build visual spatial skills, strengthening their powers of observation and creativity, and improving their ability to concentrate,” according to the school’s website. The outdoor classroom allows students to focus on skills such as balance, coordination and agility, as well as provide an environment for physical activity and hands-on learning.
Pali Pres has two active programs—transitional kindergarten and preschool—as well as extracurricular classes, after-school classes, extended day and summer camp. The preschool program is available to children ages 2 and a half through 5, and allows children to engage with skilled professionals who prioritize curating an education that helps students learn how they operate and how to interact with those around them.
Director Julie Baczewski has been at the school since 1999 and worked in the early childhood education field for 20 years prior to her move to Pali Pres.
Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center
Chabad’s Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center launched 20 years ago with a goal to build and maintain a community where everyone is welcomed and “surrounded by beauty.” The campus encompasses a natural landscape to build an atmosphere suitable for engagement and creativity.
PJECC offers five programs, including an Infant Center, Gesher Class (toddlers), Junior Class (2 year olds), Intermediate Class (3 year olds) and Senior Class (4 year olds/TK). Each class builds on the previous one and focuses on preparing children for the world around them. All classes emphasize creativity, imagination, development and independence to build every child’s sense of who they are.
PJECC is also one of the only Jewish preschools on the coast that is Reggio inspired, which allows for the children to grow in a non-traditional learning environment that stimulates the students’ intelligence, according to its curriculum.
PJECC’s goal is to create an environment that enhances all students’ self-esteem, respect for others, and a sense of community and belonging, as well as an appreciation for their own Jewish heritage and traditions.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.