Grant Elementary School teaches its students to become critical thinkers who learn how to educate themselves in a self-directed way. The school also instills in its students the importance of working collaboratively and being responsible citizens. Parents are encouraged to have a direct role in their child's education at Grant.
Grant classrooms are wireless. Classrooms for students in the second through the fifth grades have SMARTboards, LCD projectors, G4 iBook laptops and a wireless mobile computer lab. The school has a total of 30 computer mini-labs.
Programs include Cool Tools (a conflict-resolution program); Fifth Grade Outdoor Science School; Gifted and Talented in Education Program (GATE); Grant Homework Club; Intramural Sports Leagues; PTA After School Enrichment Program (chorus, cooking, magic, science, Spanish, sports and Wiggies—additional fee is required); the Quiet Center (lunch/recess alternative); Summer Adventure; Summer Reading; Team Gecko (Cool Tools and Character Counts!—a program adapted for 4th and 5th graders); and visual and performing arts Programs.
Students who excel are highlighted in a number of ways. Four times each year, students are recognized for their achievements in math, reading, thinking and other levels during the Grant Elementary School Awards Assemblies. The school's Caught Being Good program praises students who help their peers, voluntarily perform civic service, etc.
Each year, Grant coordinates more than 25 special events, including festivals and fund-raisers. The school also hosts community events including town hall meetings.
Beyond the Parent Teacher Association and Booster, Grant has four additional groups that involve parents: the African American Student-Parent Group; the English Language Advisory Council; the Green Geckos (eco-minded parents); and the Parent Learning Resource Network.
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church is located on Ocean Park Boulevard in Ocean Park. Established in 1962, this church offers regular services, Sunday school and Bible study sessions. Mt. Olive Lutheran Church also has a preschool, adult and after-school educational programs, a youth group, choir, German ministry services, yoga classes, community service projects, 12-step groups and a theater and film series.
The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture is a one-year holistic school program. It teaches its students to become instruments of healing through understanding the traditions and philosophies of Oriental medicine, Western medical theory and practice, and the clinical skills necessary to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients.
The Pole Garage is a private instruction school located on the second floor of the Westway Auto Body garage building on 20th Street, between Olympic Boulevard and Pico Boulevard. This private instruction school teaches the art of "pole" dancing choreography for women, which includes dance artistry and sensual rhythmic dance. Classes are taught in a private, intimate space with five stationary and spinning dance poles, which help develop sensual creativity, innovation, and personal style. Techniques taught include aerial pole inversions, flying movement, silky smooth transitions, sexy suspension holds, stripteases, and lap dances.
McCabe's Guitar Shop is a musical instrument store that has been serving its customers at its Santa Monica location for 52 years. It's known for having the largest array of stringed instruments in California. The selection includes guitars, banjos, mandolins, sitars, dulcimers and ethnic instruments. McCabe's also provides lessons and offers instrument repairs. Payments here can be made by cash or major credit card. There is metered street parking in front of the store.
Precious Metal Arts, located in the heart of Santa Monica's Main Street, is a specialty school devoted to jewelry-making classes in a unique, small group setting. It offers both introductory classes for the novice or hobby enthusiast, as well as customized continuing education for the more advanced student. Workshops are taught by master jeweler Peter Solomon, who is also the owner. All classes are limited to nine students and semi-private and private training is also offered. Studio time is available for just $15 an hour for students who want to use equipment on-hand and further practice and develop their skills. The school is also a fine jewelry gallery and offers custom-design packages, as well as repairs.
Project ECHO provides Southern California high-school students the opportunity to develop and present business plans to prominent members of the local business community. Project ECHO is distinct among organizations that provide business education to kindergarteners through 12th-grades in its emphasis on fostering on-campus businesses. Project ECHO encourages hands-on, experiential learning through the development and support of on-campus businesses and integrating modules on new-business creation into career-technology courses. Project ECHO was founded in 1996 in New York City and has moved its operations to Los Angeles County. It has run many successful programs in high schools throughout the county, and, most recently, its program at Santa Monica High School took first place at the SAGE World Cup Competition in Shanghai, China.
Insight Seminars is a non-profit educational company that specializes in conducting self-help seminars on throughout the world. The company also offers courses and degrees from its Insight University locations. It has been in operation for more than 30 years.
Beth Shir Shalom (which translates as "House of the Song of Peace") is a progressive Reform synagogue with an emphasis on music and art. The congregation enjoys multiple music programs, and every service is filled with music and song to help lift spirits, and enjoy each other's company.
In addition to serving as a center of Jewish worship and education, Beth Shir Shalom provides a respected preschool program, offering non-denominational education to little ones 18 months to 5 years. Temple membership is not required for registration. Each teacher in the preschool is certified and experienced.
Pluralistic School One, or PS1, is a private, independent, non-profit elementary school for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. It was founded in 1971, and serves slightly over 200 students. It offers a well-rounded core curriculum with music, art, physical education and service learning opportunities. Each class room at PS1 has a two year age range and two lead teachers. The value of pluralism refers to the school's emphasis on respecting and developing the individual passions, interests and talents of each student.
The Waldorf Early Childhood Center is an extension of the Westside Waldorf School. The Childhood Center is located on 15th Street, just south of Santa Monica Boulevard. The Westside Waldorf School's main campus is located in Pacific Palisades. The center offers three-day, four-day and five-day-a-week nursery programs. Other options include a kindergarten class and a parent-toddler program. Children who participate in the nursery programs must be potty-trained and weaned. The Waldorf Early Childhood Center also offers nap care and Early after-care programs each weekday afternoon.
St. Monica Catholic Elementary School is a parochial institution that serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Although daily prayer and frequent participation in school Masses is part of the curriculum, the school welcomes children of all faiths.
The school features 10 classrooms, two libraries and two computer labs. It shares an auditorium, youth center and offices with St. Monica's Parish.
The curriculum includes algebra, art, computer science, language arts, library, mathematics, music, physical education, reading, religion, science, social studies, technology, substance abuse prevention and AIDS education. St. Monica Catholic Elementary School's free Project Think is an after-school program that encompasses homework execution, study hall and one-on-one tutoring. It meets twice a week for 45 minutes at a time.
St. Monica Catholic Elementary School has one teacher per grade level. Additional staff consists of the church pastor and associate pastor; the school president; the principal; the associate principal (who is also the eighth-grade teacher); the science/math/computers teacher; the honors algebra teacher; the librarian; the music teacher; the physical education/athletic director; the primary computer lab teacher; the special projects director; two technology directors; the administrative executive secretary; three supervisors; and three instructional aides.
The school was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, but since they parted ways with the school due to a shortage in personnel in 1975, the school has been run by an all-lay faculty and staff.
The Lighthouse Christian Academy, located at the Lighthouse Christian Church, is a nonprofit, co-ed, college-prep school operated by the parish. The curriculum emphasizes "the message of salvation and redemption through Christ alone."
The Academy runs a Concurrent Enrollment program that facilitates its students taking courses at Santa Monica College and other local community colleges.
Pacifica Christian High School is an independent, four-year, co-ed college preparatory day school located at Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Wilshire Boulevard and Eighteenth Street. A liberal arts school, it is also the sole Protestant and independent high school on the Westside. The school is a member of ASCI, the California Interscholastic Federation, the College Board, Educational Record Bureau, PAIDIEA Inc, the Independent Alliance for Minority Affairs and the National Association of College Admission Counselors. Academic offerings include Bible study, English, foreign language, history, math, performing arts, physical education, science and visual arts. Among the graduation requirements are 240 semester credits, with at least a C grade in each class. Seventy percent of students enrolled at Pacifica Christian High School participate in two or more sports. The school has earned many sports titles through the California Interscholastic Federation, appeared numerous times in the CIF Playoffs, and won Team League titles in the Harbor, Heritage and Mulholland leagues. Arts programs include film, improv, music, theater and visual art. A fall play, film festival and spring musical are held each year. Tuition at Pacifica Christian High School is $17,250 per year, with additional fees for books and uniforms. The majority (54 percent) of Pacifica students receive need-based financial aid, with the school providing $900,000 to that end in 2010-2011.