Philosophy

History | Mission | Philosophy | Faculty | Trustees

And the gears turn...

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Los Encinos, a small independent elementary school, fosters comprehensive education in a nurturing environment that extends its impact beyond the child to the entire family. From kindergarten through sixth grade, we empower students to cultivate confidence, independence, and a joy in learning. We recognize and honor individuality and believe that personal success motivates children toward realizing their fullest potential.

Our dedicated faculty equips students to become global thinkers and citizens, fostering a strong academic foundation and passionate curiosity for learning. Through a broad range of experiences, teachers engage students as critical thinkers and problem-solvers. The school-wide integrated curriculum, rich in the humanities, emphasizes teamwork, cooperation, and the development of character. Mutual respect is woven into daily classroom activities and our service learning program.

A Los Encinos graduate welcomes the challenges of navigating in an increasingly complex world and seeks to find his or her place in our community and beyond.

A Los Encinos Student:

  • Embodies core human values, including tolerance, compassion, and a sense of community responsibility.
  • Is proficient in reciprocal communication, both oral and written, with the ability to listen thoughtfully, appreciate multiple perspectives, and express themselves using an expansive vocabulary that encourages creative expression.
  • Exhibits intellectual curiosity and critical thinking by seeking deeper levels of meaning, asking good questions, quantifying and analyzing, and discerning relevant information.
  • Is motivated by a passion for learning to accept challenges, take risks, and learn from mistakes;
  • Is a change agent who possesses the confidence and self-esteem to lead, to collaborate, and to follow.

OUR ANTHEM

Nothing is bigger than childhood. This is precisely why Los Encinos is a smaller school than most. We know life never gets more magnificent than this magical window of time, so we are committed to helping young children experience it fully. This means keeping our school small enough to deliver a vast education.

Big thinking, big opportunities, big fun – all made exceptionally possible by staying small.

Los Encinos is a close-knit learning community where everyone knows each other; where we honor diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences, and value equity, inclusion, and justice; where cooperation and friendship span all grades; where students feel both safe and excited to take risks and try new things.

This is the power of small.

Around here we’re always open to creative and unconventional lessons, and we’re agile enough to adapt our learning strategies without bureaucratic delay. We work and play together like family. Unrestricted by rigid programmatic mandates, we have the freedom to transform education into a thrilling journey of personal experiences.

This is how the curiosity of children becomes a deep and lasting engagement with learning. Yes, it takes determination and bold vision to remain small in a world that instinctively praises “bigger” and “more.” But this is exactly our promise to you: the wondrous advantages of a small, keenly focused elementary school.

Because nothing is bigger than childhood, and to us, that’s what matters most.

Los Encinos School. Think Big. Start Small. 

Robotics in action.