Ps1 Pluralistic School

1225 Broadway

Santa Monica, CA 90404

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 20, 2020

Special place for kids to grow up and for parents to feel supported.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2020

This is an excellent school that fosters young minds so that they feel confident and love learning! We are three years in, and both my kids love going to school, feel engaged and valued, and I have seen their confidence grow year by year. This has also set them up for academic success, with both kids performing above grade level for reading and math.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2020

Half-way through our third year at PS1, my child is thriving. He happens to be academically-adept with reading and math skills well above grade-level, and the classroom teachers have kept him fully engaged and challenged. He comes home and cannot stop talking about all of the things he is learning at school. Socially, he has really blossomed and become a dynamic part of the social landscape. The teachers have shown such care and commitment to their craft that I can't help but be impressed by their ability and effort. Academically, the school has made a commitment to building a curriculum that comports with evidence-based learning techniques and coursework. Their math program is especially impressive and on point. Administrators at the school are constantly evaluating the process to make sure that choices are being made with intentionality and thoughtfulness, and the children really benefit.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2019

Outstanding school! Really excellent overall experience.We have been lucky enough to have had the same teaching pair in the Olders cluster for the past two years, and our child pops out of bed every morning — cannot wait to get to school. The class is amazing every day. They are doing advanced biology, complete with complex dissections; relevant field trips to art museums, history museums, and the California Science Center; there have been ample opportunities for advanced math and ISEE prep; these teachers support the kids emotionally and raise the bar academically. All of the kids respond positively to the challenge. It’s an “all ships rise” situation. Everything that happens in this particular classroom is thoughtful, creative, and rigorous — nurture and challenge go hand in hand. We are soooo grateful for our experiences at PS1, and our final two years there have been amazing. We have a happy, engaged, well-adjusted child who has a sense of balance and loves learning. Lovely, down-to-earth community. Many high profile parents, and everyone is welcoming and cool.Go go go if you can get in!!!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2019

Our oldest is finishing her final year at PS1, having spent two years in the 'olders' cluster with the same two teachers. What an amazing experience she has had preparing her for middle school and beyond. First, her teachers bring such passion and energy and creativity to the class each day that the kids are thrilled to go to school each day. This year's projects have included over a dozen dissections where they have been applying the tools of their scientific work. Project-based learning, a hallmark of a PS1 education, allows teachers to connect multiple disciplines -- math, science, history -- in a format that stimulates creative breakthroughs. Field trips -- over 10 this year alone - are another way the class connects dots and helps builds kids who are passionate about learning. Finally, in an effort to help the kids with enhanced preparedness for their ISEE test prep, the teachers held "math and muffins" sessions before the start of the school day. The dedication, passion, and commitment the teachers bring to the class each day creates the ultimate environment for curiosity, critical thinking and an enduring passion for real learning.
Submitted by teacher on November 16, 2019

This will be my third year teaching at PS1, and I cannot imagine myself teaching at any other school. We are supported with classroom resources to foster a rich and robust learning environment, encouraged to be creative and cutting-edge, and have the support to meet each student's needs. The families at PS1 are kind, supportive, and always willing to help out. It is truly an honor and privilege to be a part of this magical community.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2019

What can we say about the first year.... it has completely exceeded our expectations. When you tour PS1 you fall in love with it, then you get accepted and become excited about what’s to come. We had hopes that it will be great. That Jaxon will thrive but no one really knows how it will be. We like most parents were worried. Is this the right type of education for my child? Will he make friends? Will he connect with his teachers? The questions are endless. But once you start all those worries quickly disappear, and you really see that what you were expecting is only half of the amazingness. There is so much more that you didn’t realize was to come.We are very happy at Ps1. We have 1 child attending at the moment and 2 will hopefully be joining in the coming years.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2018

One thing we love about PS1 is its multi-age classrooms (for example: second and third grade combined class). These mixed-age groupings provide leadership opportunities for older students while giving younger students peers to look up to.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2018

We love that young children’s needs are the sole focus of PS1. The scale of the school, the joy and adventure seen on the playground, the inclusive community that welcomes parents to stay on campus and be a part of the classrooms, the weekly school-wide circle times and teaching style make PS1 very unique. The balance that is struck between achievement and enjoyment is the perfect mix for an elementary education. We see that balance instilling an intrinsic love of learning in our daughter, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2018

The more time my children spend at PS1, the more grateful I feel that we're a part of such a vibrant and engaged community. Of course we chose the environment with only our kids in mind; little did we know PS1 would also become such an important part of our adult lives as well. PS1 is a rarity--a school that continues to evolve, without letting go of the idea that kids deserve to stay kids as long as possible. Because once they move on, they're ready for anything and everything. But at this school, there's still time to slow down the clock and just watch them thrive. And that's worth everything.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2018

Our daughter is a student at PS1 and I love that she is engaged, curious and confident. Beginning as a very shy preschooler, she has become proactive both academically and socially. The community of parents, teachers, staff is phenomenal and provides an environment that kids can thrive and truly be the best version of themselves. We have had a very positive experience.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2017

We have two children at PS1. The school nurtures social-emotional growth, creativity, global awareness, and community in ways that are both innovative and profound. My wife and I are both in education, and we have never really seen an educational environment like PS1. The kids leave here in 6th grade with a love of learning and education, as well as a sense of poise and genuine concern for the world, that is priceless.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2015

I have two daughters with very different personalities attending PS1.. This is a magical place with a teaching staff that cares about social and emotional development as well as gives amazing academic support. Both my kids are thriving and growing in this environment - they are becoming respectful, caring individuals that are excited to learn and curious about the world around them. If you are looking for a place that will support your unique individual child while teaching them to be the best learners that they can be and providing tools all along the way to become caring, well intentioned kids this is the perfect school for you...The director and the staff all care deeply about each child and are on your team - the team that wants the best for your child.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

We LOVE PS1! Our family has been part of the community for many, many years and we couldn't be happier. The teachers and staff are the most caring and thoughtful people my son will ever encounter. We are very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful place that teaches the love of learning and honors every child for the learner they are.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

A great school that encourages a love of learning! The school also does teach conflict resolution skills. And makes kids feel good about being themselves. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2014

This school does not have an anti-bullying policy. They will not notify the parents of the bully -- especially if they are major donors. There is a lot of social exclusion, screaming, hitting, etc. When a child is bullied they blame the victim. Academics? Forget about it. Your child will lag in math without extreme supplementation. Concepts are important, but without fluency, there is no balance. The principal is a megalomaniac, who is uninviting. A school psych has been hired, so that he doesn't have to deal with parents. You've been warned. The writing program is great, though.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2014

A fabulous education of the whole child that leads to confident, internally-motivated learners. We have one graduate (now THRIVING in private middle school) and one third-grader still enrolled. This is a school for people who believe in progressive education and who aren't hysterical "helicopter parents" who want to see constant test scores and grades. If you're the type who wants your child to be constantly singled out for how wonderful s/he is, this is NOT the school for you--every child is respected as an outstanding, (individual!) human being in this environment. Great parents, committed faculty and staff, handsome physical space.
Submitted by other on December 23, 2013

This school has earned the nickname Public screaming #1 - their "philosophy" does not mandate any monitoring of the screamers on the playground much to the chagrin of their neighbors there. No abatement of the screamers has caused neighbors to respond with some desperate antics including playback recordings of the screamers during recess hours & outbursts from neighbors aimed at the children. A lawsuit is in the works. What was billed as a "meditation area" has turned into a free for all for aggressive screaming kids, during school hours, after school programs, & holiday "camps". The owner of the school is making $ at $25,000 plus per kid, is in expansion mode yet is befuddled as to how to reign in unruly kids & create a space for peaceful co-existance with his neighbors. Sound proofing options have been shunned as has the philosophy that loud noises are not polite & can disturb others. PS1 has made no move to create a space that serves the neighborhood ; as a mother of an educator there is a shocking lack of ethics and brains in this regard which is not in the least bit normal protocol in education. It certainly would make me wonder where else this school drops the ball.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2013

It's so much more than just a pretty face! Yes, PS1 has a gorgeous new building. Yes, their yard is home to the oldest, most beautiful oak tree in Santa Monica. Yes, the people who work there are fantastic and lovely. But what's inside is really the best part. At the heart of it all is a 40 year tradition of joy, founded by its visionary director who is still there! Can you imagine a school kids actually WANT to go to? That parents WANT to be a part of? We've been there for 2 years and we never thought we could love our kids scholl so much. But PS1 is the real deal - a truly happy place. PS1 students exude Confidence, Competence and Connection - examples of those 3 "C"s can be seen everywhere on campus. The teachers are fresh and inspired, even those who have been there for 40 years. Too many schools snuff out children's natural love of learning by the time they finish Kindergarten. PS1 does the opposite. Here, students are empowered to follow their passion and encouraged to take risks. And the most important thing they learn is to LOVE LEARNING. What could be better?
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2012

PS1 is not just an excellent school, it is really a community of unpretentious, intelligent, caring, generous people. We have made a beautiful life for ourselves here with so many new friendships for our kids and for ourselves. And it all starts from the top down. The headmaster is invested in every aspect of the school. And when it comes to elementary school learning, there isn't anyone with more enthusiasm and experience. I know that everyone says their kids love their school, but honestly, the kids at PS1 feel so much ownership over the school and their education that its hard to believe other children really have this sort of experience. The teachers are superb and adept at individualized learning making the dual grade classrooms really flourish. With two teachers in every classroom there is time for everyone. The education is basically top notch, and the kids go onto some of the best schools in the city. Confidence, competence, and connection are the three elements they aim for. And in our experience, our child is developing all three and becoming the kind of person we hoped she would be. Thank you, PS1.