Green Stem Schoolhouse

Philosophy

Open Hearts, Open Minds

Grown out of a home in Atwater Village, Green Stem Schoolhouse is a progressive early school for children. Creating an intimate, stimulating and fun program, guided by caring and enthusiastic teachers is our passion.

One the key characteristics of our school is that we maintain a 1:4 ratio with teachers who are experienced in child development with backgrounds in art, science, and wellness. Children essentially work together in a school with no more than 12 other children and three caring experts. This is the perfect opportunity of those making transition in their lives from home/nanny to a school that they can be seen and heard in with full attention. It also a wonderful place for children who need responsive care. All children benefit from small groups and low ratios, some even more than others.

At GSS, we cook, sculpt, compose, dream, question and resolve together hence our school motto Open Hearts, Open Minds. Our school is influenced by the child-advocating communities of Reggio Emilia and rooted in the application of progressive early childhood development research and philosophies. We view knowledge as elastic and co-constructed particularly in the prolific early years of childhood.

There are many things we find fascinating about children, but in particular, their aptitude to learn, express, think outside the box and make metaphors are traits of the young child that that we celebrate and highlight.

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Location

Originally built in 1939, the school facility is in a dedicated single family home in Atwater Village. Children are offered rich, varied materials and real life experiences to work and play with at Green Stem. Our interactive garden is designed for children to feel connected to and confident with nature.

The atelier is designed as if it were a professional designer’s studio scaled to children’s size, filled with various media to create, design, sew, sculpt and draw ideas. The common room is a hub for peace, reading, writing, music and conversation. Food and healthy living play a big role in forming the school’s identity. The custom-built dining room and kitchen pantry foster the tradition of cooking as a form of love.

We believe parents should have a window into the child’s life at our school. Therefore, documentation of learning is made visible through photography, letters and the use of family-friendly technology/social media. We also go on frequent community field trips to the pocket park down the street or, on special occasions, to the shops on Glendale Boulevard.

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About our program

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement is purely time based. Parents can read a book, donate a plant, lead an activity or prepare a meal in support of being a GSS family. With one month’s notice parents can opt out of the Summer Semester/Camp period providing summer flexibility. Enrolled GSS families can also take part in Saturday morning classes and special workshops for free!

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Our Approach to Discipline

We believe in using positivity and praise to foster healthy behaviors and a healthy learning environment. Our goals include teaching children self-control and respect for themselves and others. Our constructive techniques include redirection, anticipation, modeling, natural consequences, elimination of potential problems, and teaching children to resolve conflicts on their own in an appropriate manner.

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Admissions

We’d love for your family to visit the school. Our spots are currently full for the 2016-2017 school year, but are doing tours for the 2017-2018 waitlist. If you have questions, feel free to call us at (323) 524-0515.

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