Meet The Gillispie School
Right in the heart of La Jolla, nestled underneath shade trees just a few steps down Girard Avenue from the hustle and bustle of La Jolla Village, sits The Gillispie School, an independent school for approximately 300 students from preschool through sixth grade. The school was founded on its current site in 1951 by Ada Gillispie, a philanthropist who cared deeply about the community’s children.
The school has created a rich and well-rounded academic program that helps children develop a love for learning and prepares them for future success. In addition, the school is deeply committed to helping students grow as individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it.
The Community
While these traits are in line with what one might expect from any excellent private school, one factor that sets Gillispie apart is its extremely strong community. The school has created a nurturing environment that feels welcoming and even intimate, which is helped by the fact that they keep class sizes – and corresponding student:teacher ratios – small. Faculty quickly get to know children’s strengths and challenges so that they can teach in a way that encourages children to continually grow and learn. This feeling of community is a huge draw for families who are concerned about overcrowding and a “one size fits all” mentality found in many public schools today.
I have been fortunate to spend time at The Gillispie School getting to know their program and their people. From the moment I step through the front doors of the school, I am impressed by the friendly, calm, and professional atmosphere that I encounter. And when meeting Alison Fleming, the head of school, and Steve Bunyak, assistant head of school, their warm smiles and kind words are guaranteed to make anyone feel comfortable.
The Campus
The campus is impressive in features and structure if not in acreage. Since the school is located in the heart of La Jolla Village, they do not have the benefit of acres of grassy playing fields. However, they have made extremely good use of the land that they do have with two playgrounds, a gymnasium (with a rock-climbing wall!), a science lab, a library and a fine arts center as well as well-equipped and modern classrooms. They recently revamped their early childhood outdoor area and it includes a wall mural painted by a teacher. A major benefit of their location is that students are walking distance from area facilities and resources within the community.
The Future
While the school honors its past, it definitely teaches to the future. The technology program at The Gillispie School is state-of-the-art with a one-to-one laptop program for every teacher and students in third through sixth grades, and a laptop cart for younger grades. The school is a Lighthouse School partner with Apple Computers, and they won a Leading Edge Award from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) for technology.
Because The Gillispie School provides education only through sixth grade, many families wonder what the next step will be for their children. According to the school’s website,
We believe that learning is a journey. Our early childhood and elementary programs are designed to guide our students’ academic, creative, and social growth. We strive to develop resiliency in our students so that they are prepared for whatever paths they may choose.
The school seems to be quite successful in achieving this goal. Students who graduate from The Gillispie School are prepared to succeed at the area’s most competitive private and public middle schools.
If your family is looking for a rich and rewarding academic environment that is balanced by a nurturing school community, I encourage you to visit The Gillispie School. Your children will thank you.
Learn more
Website
http://www.gillispie.org
Contact
The Gillispie School
7380 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA, 92037
Phone: (858) 459-3773
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