Canyon Charter Elementary School

Parents rave about Santa Monica’s Canyon Charter Elementary School, and many students grow and learn in the classrooms, in the hallways, in the lunchroom and on the playground.

The teachers are described as dedicated and enthusiastic, and students gain necessary knowledge as well as real-world application at this Pacific Palisades elementary school. As a part of the school’s mission statement, “the curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, high-level thinking, communication skills, personal growth, and positive social values.” The school’s history is rich and vibrant, dating back to its humble, one-room school house beginnings in 1894. In 1993, Canyon Elementary School gained the “charter” status.

Canyon believes in exposing children to the arts at a young age, and students receive a sampling of music, art, theatre and dance. There is also an Italian language program on the horizon. The school is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, and it received a top ranking from California’s Department of Education in May 2010.

This school not only teaches children the importance of grammar, art, spelling and mathematics, but sustainable practices are also a big part of the education. Each month offers a different “green habit”, with past months including Turn off Lights, Save Plastic, Recycle Sneakers, Drive Less, Save Water, Bring Garbage-Free Lunches and Reusable Grocery Bags. The school also provides on site recycling for paper, plastic bottles, cans, cell phones, toys and children’s books, printer/toner cartridges and eyeglasses/sunglasses.

The S.T.A.R. program provides after school care to students for a fee, and children will be supervised and will also receive extra enriching classes.

To apply, students must have a birth certificate, proof of residence, immunization records, Mantoux T.B. test, physical exam and Pupil Accounting Report (unless this is the student’s first year of school). View the map to see if you live in the designated School Attendance Area. Families that live in the designated area will have priority, but children with families outside the area could still gain acceptance. Students will be drawn at random, and those not accepted will be put on a waiting list in case accepted students decline attendance. Volunteer information may be found on the school’s website.

HelloMetro Tip: Canyon parents and those that hope to be Canyon parents may want to visit principal Joyce Dara’s blog for Canyon updates and fun tidbits.

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.