A wonderful school where our daughter excelled academically and socially. In Ms. Rosa's class she learned how to read, write, and do arithmetic. She also learned about the solar system, dinosaurs, and the lifecycle of butterflies. Socially she went from being hesitant to speak to other kids, to expressing herself through her coloring, playtime, and daily outfit selection. Communication with the school was great, emails were answered quickly and the teachers were always happy to provide feedback about your child. The school is located in a gated community so we always felt that our daughter was safe. Once our second child is ready, we will without question, send her to Pacifica. read more

We loved our time at Pacifica so much so that we sent both of our children there. The teachers there are so kind, so patient, and have done it for quite a while that they know how best to tailor their approach for the children. Our children are both now in elementary school, and we firmly believe that the time of Pacifica has helped set them up for success, not only academically, but arguably, more importantly, socially and developmentally. Mrs Vargo and team there are great ! read more

Pacifica Montessori is truly a treasure -- the kind of place you dream exists for your children but hardly believe you'll ever find. Our two kids spent a little over a year in Mrs. Vargo's class, and in that time, they learned more than we could have ever imagined. This is, without a doubt, the best educational environment we have ever seen. The staff here are extraordinary -- some have been at Pacifica for decades, literally as long as I've been alive -- and the result is an atmosphere of calm, confidence, and incredible skill. They know how to truly see children: their strengths, their areas for growth, their personalities, and their character. It's rare and beautiful to find a place where your child is understood so deeply and appreciated so fully. Academically, the growth is astounding. Our five-year-old is heading into kindergarten with a solid grasp of multiplication -- something we never expected! But what makes Pacifica so special is that it's not just about academics. The developmental perspective they take at every step ensures that learning is joyful and integrated into life. The other day at the car wash, as the colored soap splattered across the windshield, my toddler announced it looked like a Jackson Pollock painting -- that's the kind of art and curiosity they cultivate here! Pacifica Montessori is more than a school; it's a gift. It's a place where kids thrive, where they are known and loved, where learning feels magical and natural all at once. If I could, I would keep my children here forever. read more

Pacifica is a wonderful, safe place for little ones to learn and grow. It is everything we could have hoped for. The staff is very attentive, kind, and caring. They are easy to talk to and get a hold of. Our son has enjoyed a variety of subjects and looks forward to school everyday! Getting photos of what they are learning/doing/working on is so great to see, and have conversations at home about their day. We have also had many opportunities to be a part of the school, get a lesson from our child, birthday celebrations, singing concerts and more. Great community to be a part of! read more

We enrolled our daughter at 2.5 because she was an early reader and needed more stimulation. She stayed through her TK year and I can't begin to praise this school and the teachers enough for the care they showed our child. They prepared individualized lessons, grew her confidence, allowed her to be a kid and a leader and became her favorite place to be. We will be sending our son and encourage anyone looking for a preschool that delivers creativity, play and learning to stop looking and go here! My daughter entered Kindergarten confident, brave and ready for a new challenge (with reading proficiency plus writing, spelling multiplication and division experience). The teachers and administration are attentive and open and always available for consult. It's truly a gem of a place. read more

We are so grateful for the care and attention the teachers at Pacifica have given our son. The staff truly made a difference in his early learning journey. Not only did they create a loving and nurturing environment, but they also helped him build a strong foundation in reading and numbers. Staff is very approachable and considerate. Getting photos and weekly work updates helps you keep tack of how your kid is doing. Its an amazing preschool and we couldn't be happier with the decision made to send our school to Pacifica. read more

We are so fortunate to have been able to send both our children to Pacifica over the last several years. The teachers, daycare providers, and Mr. and Mrs. Call have been an amazing to our girls and the many others that have come and moved on from their school. They care about every child that is enrolled and are attentive to each individual child's needs as they develop. They will set your children up for success as they move onto kindergarten and 1st Grade. Even though our children have only recently transitioned into elementary school in the last year, they still often talk about the teachers and the Calls often! Highly recommend! read more

Wonderful school. My daughter enjoyed the 2 years she spent there, missing it now that she's moved onto elementary school. She was excited about her academic achievements (reading, adding/subtracting) and she had the freedom to be herself (wearing princess dresses, using her voice in a safe and engaging environment). I will always be grateful to the teachers and staff for creating an environment that helps young children thrive both personally and academically. read more

My kid has attended Pacifica for two years. We can't thank them enough for everything they provided. 1) academics Teachers here are all professionals who find kids' interests and motivate them to learn with fun. Thanks to Pacifica, my son has acquired a good sense of math and has grown up reading books and writing sentences confidently, although his native language is not English. Spanish lessons by daycare room teachers are also one of his favorite times. As a person who attended a Montessori school in childhood, I can confidently say Pacifica provides authentic Montessori education. If you are looking for an actual Montessori school, Pacifica is here for your child. 2) operations Since Pacifica has long-run operations, they have accumulated know-how. The school seems to cover all situations with its protocols, so everything is well structured. Every time we visit Pacifica, the classroom is always clean and tidy. 3) community The teachers at Pacifica are all kind and friendly, and we can talk to them anytime. We have multiple opportunities to see how kids spend time at school, such as the Thanksgiving luncheon, classroom observation, performance show, etc. Those are also great opportunities to get to know other families. Pacifica's parents are very down-to-earth and supportive. During International Cultural Weeks, some parents introduced their culture at school as volunteers, which helped kids widen their sights and understand diversity. My kid loves his teachers, friends, and everything about Pacifica. Whenever I pick him up and see his happy face while playing with friends, I realize we have made the right decision to send him Pacifica. read more

Our daughter just graduated preschool having been at Pacifica the last 2 years during the pandemic. We were one of the few who enrolled her into preschool during an unknown time, and were so happy we did. Pacifica excelled at providing safety to all the kids by implementing a staggered drop off program, car pick up service, rotating outdoor play areas, rigorous cleaning...etc. There was probably only 1 case in the 2 years that she was there, and thanks to the delineated classrooms, her classroom was not affected. Kudos to the staff for navigating those uncertain times! The education and learning is well rounded and top notch- life skills, sensorial, math, English, science...etc. We were so surprised to see all the things she has learned when she brings work home at the end of the week. Our 5 yr old daughter can now do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, read first grade books, write her own sentences (although with misspelled words), and even sew! These are just a few of the many many things she has learned. There is really a great balance of academics + practical life + social. Before enrolling her at Pacifica, we toured other schools and the classrooms were not nearly as organized, clean and orderly thanks to the amazing teachers and staff. Our daughter was extremely shy in the beginning, but never cried or fussed once after we dropped her off. There were lots of friends and activities to keep her stimulated and occupied. The great thing about Montessori is that the younger kids learn very quickly from the older kids and once the younger kids become the older kids to a new group of younger kids, the new older kids become the helpers and teachers. I think it's important not only to learn knowledge, but to learn to help others as well. Now that she has graduated, she is seen as a leader and her confidence has grown tremendously. Highly recommend! read more

My son attended Pacifica for TK, and we only left because he joined a dual language program. Our little one's experience was just what I had hoped for and more. He was already reading well for his age, but what I noticed was his improved social skills, how he applied his reading, and his well-rounded approach to math, life skills, sports, and different challenges outside of school. When he entered Kindergarten, I saw how sociable and confident he had become which is a testament to this Montessori program. He often says, "I learned this at Pacifica" or "I know I'll be fine because of what I did at Pacifica." He talks about it daily and calls it "His Montessori school" Mr. and Mrs. Call create a wonderful, safe, nurturing, and emotionally intelligent environment for the kids. The way they handle potential complex family issues is truly remarkable, with a focus on the children. The staff is warm, attentive, calm, and well-trained. My son misses the teachers and Mr. and Mrs. Call. He still has play dates with this class mates. These relationships will be in his heart forever. People often ask where my son began his education because of how well he relates to other kids. I believe it's a testament to this school. My son even said, "Can I go back to Pacifica and also be at my new school?" Ha, I wish that was possible, but we hope to return maybe during a summer break. The drop-off and pick-up are easy, the drive is shaded, which matters on hot days, and the school is in an enclosed, gated complex that's sheltered and safe. Thank you for Pacifica. read more

We absolutely love this school and cannot recommend it enough to any parents looking for a preschool. Our son has grown so much during the short time that he's been here. He is more independent, more social, more knowledgeable. He's leaving this school with basic reading and arithmetic skills, which we are truly impressed by! The teachers and staff here are amazing. In my opinion, this school is one of the best ones out there. read more

My now 5 year old son just graduated from Pacifica and we are so lucky to have found this school 2 years ago. Our experience for the past 2 years has been wonderful. My kid greatly benefited from the Montessori method both intellectually and behaviorally. One of the greatest things about Pacifica is that my son's teacher has been working here for over 25 years, which says a lot about the environment and management as teacher turnover is really high in other schools. Pacifica has very responsive management and teachers. We liked how they addressed any issues that arose within the classroom. I will definitely send my youngest here once she is old enough. read more

Our son has been at Pacifica for almost two years and he and we just love it! Everyone from the principal Steve to his head teacher Ms. Vargo to all of the supporting teachers has been wonderful and encouraging. They've really helped our son bloom intellectually and socially. We feel like he's ahead of the curve now from math to reading, while also becoming an even more thoughtful, independent and curious person. So grateful to have found this place! read more

We have had our child at Pacifica for the past two years(age 4-6) and could not be more thrilled and satisfied with the experience. Our child has thrived in the nurturing learning environment where all of the teachers have been fully invested in her development as a whole person. If you are fortunate enough to be able to send your child here I highly recommend you take the opportunity. read more

Our daughter just graduated Pacifica and we owe her amazing transformation to her teachers Ms Rosa and Ms Rivera. She has left counting numbers all the way to 900 and being able to read and write her alphabets!! Ms Rosa was like her second mother and was very nurturing towards our daughter and really guided her towards her interests. School always felt very safe as it is tucked in a residential building and drop off and pick up were a breeze. My husband will definitely miss the morning chats with Mr Call! read more

We had such an amazing time here. Our 5 year old learned so much while also making friends and feeling loved and cared for. Getting daily photos showing what he's doing and being in touch with staff whenever we needed it made it feel like we were a team. It is also one of the few preschools we toured that isn't located close to a freeway so it was clean and quiet. read more

The. BEST. Preschool. My son had a bad experience at another preschool before starting here so I was a bit apprehensive. However, the teachers and staff are so loving, nurturing, patient, and fun that my kid loved going to school everyday. Some of the highlights of Pacifica are: 1) All teachers are Montessori-certified and it shows. Our old preschool forced my kid to write but Pacifica noticed that he hadn't fully developed the proper hand muscles. They had him do some tong exercises for a while and he became a much better writer after that. The staff are well experienced (my teacher had worked there for 20+ years) and truly knew my kid inside and out. 2) He went from counting 1-10 to writing to 3,000 on his number roll in less than a year ... 3,000! I think some of the kindergarteners can even do basic multiplication as well. 3) The kids and parents are super friendly and easy to get along with. There's a good group of folks here. 4) Working parent - friendly as they are open from 7:45am-6:15pm, during the summer, during spring break, and don't have a lot of random holidays off. We have loved being a part of the Pacifica community and highly recommend it. read more

We've had nothing but good experiences with Pacifica. Our daughter has been there for two years of preschool and is now in kindergarten. She has learned so much and has had truly great experiences there. She has learned so much and has become a very well rounded child. read more

My daughter attended Pacifica from age 3.4 to just over 5 years old when we left for Elementary school. Her first month of Elementary was a huge adjustment, and she would sob and beg to go back to Pacifica. Luckily they offer a summer program, and she was able to go back for the summer, and she had a blast. I cannot say enough good things about everyone who works there and the families that are a part of the community. It's a gem of a school. My daughter was treated like a responsible individual, and gained the confidence and self-esteem that is helping her excel as she grows. Pacifica does go through 5th grade (I believe). Had we not been accepted into a Language Immersion program, we would have stayed through. Finding a place to put your child while you work is a major decision and often scary, especially with your first child. I always knew our daughter was in good hands, and I could tell at drop off (she'd run in) and pick up (she didn't want to leave) that she was having the best time. I highly recommend Pacifica! read more

I heard good things about this school but was very disappointed when contacting the school two times and the staff were unhelpful. Once you established a dialog with the director, things were good! After a whole year of waitlisting, I was contacted by the director and we enrolled our daughter there now. Our experience has been positive. Great parent community. Our daughter quickly made friends there. read more

My son is getting a TERRIFIC education here: Ms. Vargo and the parent volunteers have him reading (Frog and Toad, Little Bear) already and he isn't even five yet. He's also deep into the arithmetic materials, including the stamp game, and some multiplication and division math materials. They're doing a unit on the solar system right now and the school just held a special nighttime "star party" at a local park. Mr. Call and three parents brought out their telescopes and showed the kids Jupiter and three Jovian moons, the Orion nebula, the Double Cluster, and the craters and seas on the full moon. So cool! read more

My daughter has been enrolled in Pacifica now for three years and we absolutely love it. All the teachers are patient and caring. They go the extra mile to teach the children in ways that I wish I had when I was a kid. Also the children here appear to advance a lot quicker than kids at other schools, so Pacifica's method is really working. I plan to keep my daughter enrolled here all the way through the end of elementary school. read more

This is the best decision we have made as parents for our kids. Both our children are challenged and happy in school thanks to Pacifica Montessori. Our 11 year old has been there since pre K and is now a straight A student in Middle school way ahead of her pears. Our 7 year old is thriving in Math in 2nd grade with Mrs Anderson. We love that they also teach your kids how to be respectful and caring for others. Our 11 year old had to experience going back to a public "STEM" school in 1st grade as we thought it would be the "proper" thing to do. Thankfully it took us three months to realize our mistake and brought her back to Pacifica. There is no bullying here. The teachers and staff won't allow it. I love Mr and Mrs Call who are the heart and brains of this school. These years are the most important years in the "education" of our children and I feel like we have already won. It's such a peaceful moment, every morning, to take my 7 years old to school, watching him run ahead of me in order to get to there 30 mins early so he can start work. I greatly recommend this school. read more

Our daughter has been in this school for the past three years. This school is a real gem! It provides a safe, nurturing and fun environment that helps your child develop into the best human being they can be. Amazing school, teachers and staff. We will keep her there for as long as we can! read more

A great school to keep the passion for learning alive about all the wonders of the world. My son has attended kindergarten through the 5th grade and has thrived both academically and socially. The staff is as good as it gets and treat all the students like family. Five Gold Stars! read more

Great preschool, my older son started there when he was 3 years old and he learned a lot in Pacifica. Reading level at first grade matches a fifth graders, as well as advanced math skills. Mrs call is so patient, and she loves the kids. read more

This school is fantastic! The teachers are very sweet and very dedicated. Our 5 year old is incredibly challenged and happy. The staff puts a tremendous amount of time to understand and guide each kid. Amazing families and fun little community. We couldn't be happier. read more

The BEST decision for my daughters' first three school years was to enroll her at Pacifica Montessori School in Culver city. (Two years preschool and Kinder). Sadly, for elementary, we have changed schools. (Personal reasons- hence, my delay in writing this review as it was a very emotional decision to leave making this difficult to write.) Yes, my daughter misses Pacifica- her friends and the fun, memorable time spent there. She often speaks of the staff- especially her fabulous teacher for 3 years, Mrs. Call! We are fortunate to have had the experience and attribute much of her current advanced level to this great school. Not enough great things can be said to share the positive experience we had there. Peace of mind knowing that she was always in good hands, in a very safe place with an extraordinary staff, continually learning and cared for, is more than I could have asked for. Pacifica parents would agree- it's the right choice! read more

If your looking for a good Montessori School on the West-side this is the place to be. As someone who went to a Montessori School when I was young and came from a Montessori family (Dad and Sister are both trained Montessori teachers) I knew exactly what we were looking for when we went school searching for our youngest son. Unfortunately a lot of schools around Los Angeles call themselves Montessori but other then the name are not Montessori schools. The second we walked into this classroom my wife was shocked at how well run the school was. All of the pre-schoolers (Age 3-5) were in a single classroom (about 20 of them) and the room was reasonably quiet, the children were well behaved, every single one of them was fully engrossed in a lesson or activity of their choosing and all looked very happy. I looked around at the Montessori materials around the classroom and knew we had found a true Montessori school. The teachers and administrator are well trained and really know what they're doing. Our son loves it and we fully plan to send our new-born there in 3 years when he's old enough. Pacifica has a great blend of both creative activities as well as the basics (reading, writing, math) Every day our son comes home proudly waving his latest creation, whether it's writing down the first 100 numbers, or his writing sheets, or even some sewing creation, or finger painting. When you let the child lead, then every activity and every lesson becomes fun since they were allowed to choose it. Don't miss out on a chance to send your kids here. The education is top-notch and I guarantee you'll be shocked at how much your children can learn at such a young age when they're going to a great school that follows the Montessori Program. read more

The Montessori program at Pacifica is shockingly good. Our twin girls attended from age 3.5 to 5.5 and within that time they learned how to read, add, subtract, multiply and divide. So much smarter than me at their age. They always want to help when they see me cook and incredibly self directed at home and social gatherings. Learning was made fun for them at this school and we miss the staff dearly. read more

I can't say enough about this wonderful school. It provided my two children a safe, nurturing, and fun school environment for many years. The teachers and staff here became a second family to us and I am forever grateful for the amazing impact they had on my two kids during some very crucial developmental years. During their time at Pacifica, my kids not only developed academically but they learned responsibility, empathy, and practical skills that prepared them, not only for Kindergarten, but for everyday life. We all continue to cherish very fond memories of our time there. read more

Both the Elementary and Preschool are great! Our 11-year old daughter went to this school from Preschool to 5th grade and had a fantastic time! This is the real Montessori learning experience; it is suited to each individual child, their learning pace and interest with still providing enough chalenges so they stay ahead. Our daughter transitioned to 6th grade in a very good local public school this year and did really great; she was ahead in most of the classes. we felt she was really well prepared! read more

This school is really a special place. When we moved to L.A. we wanted to find a Montessori preschool for our son who had been attending a Montessori in the bay area. As soon as we saw Pacifica and met Mr. Call we knew it was the right place. Our son's teacher was Mrs. Vargo and I can't say enough good things about her. She really understood our son, helped him where he needed help, encouraged him to expand where he had untapped potential, and generally made Pacifica a place he couldn't wait to go to every day. All of the teachers and staff are amazing human beings. I highly recommend this place. read more

We are blessed to have Pacifica Montessori help raise our little girl.We can not say enough great things about the staff. Thank you Pacifica. read more

We love this school, and, more importantly, so do our daughters. In this day and age when rote memorization-regurgitation is a ubiquitous and insufficient substitute for education, it is encouraging to know that there are still schools who believe in educating the whole child, without sacrificing the development of intellectual, kinesthetic or creative individuality. The Pacifica Montessori School in Culver City is one such school. Although the Montessori method is widely well regarded for its approach to early childhood education, the excellence of its elementary methodology is perhaps under-appreciated. As the parents of two daughters who have attended the Pacifica elementary school, we can personally testify to the fact that the thorough, well-rounded, student-focused education, for which the Montessori method is roundly applauded, continues all the way through graduation. Our younger daughter still attends Pacifica elementary, and can't wait to get to school each day. She literally bounds into the classroom in anticipation of the day's coming events. Our older daughter recently graduated from Pacifica, segueing successfully to a massive public school, where she feels she is able to navigate the oft-tempestuous waters of junior high thanks to the intrinsically embedded sense of self-worth, self-confidence and self-possession she obtained at Pacifica. The elementary curriculum at Pacifica is steeped in intellectual curiosity, discovery, and self-directed project based learning. Pacifica's excellent teachers (all certified in the Montessori method) and staff are highly trained, experienced, conscientious, attentive, kind, patient and encouraging professionals. The student-teacher ratio is unbeatable, as is the curriculum, which provides a stimulating, challenging, rigorous and globally-conscious lesson format. While most kids grades 1-5 sit passively all day long in teacher-centered classrooms, the students at Pacifica Montessori elementary actively engage, both cognitively and physically, in their own education. They are not simply learning facts, but rather, perhaps the greatest lesson of all, the never-ending process of how they themselves idiosyncratically and naturally learn. This essential lesson delivers a lifetime of self-discovery, curiosity and personal fulfillment. What else could we want for our children? read more

I am the grandmother of one present student and another who is now in the third grade at a public school. I think the skills that each has developed are phenomenal -- academic, social, and personal. read more

From day 1, Pacifica Montessori School far exceeded our expectations, which is saying a lot, as our family comes from a long line of Montessori educated children and teachers. Pacifica is the real deal, and truly special in every way. The school is run with absolute integrity and quality from the teachers who teach there to the caregivers to the programs they bring in (music, sports, science, etc.) They have been operating for over 30 years, with the same administrators who provide a solid foundation of education, humanity, and humility. Our son left the school for kindergarten, knowing how to read, do math (including multiplication), and more importantly, being a polite and considerate child who considers others' feelings and pushes in his chair when he leaves the table. I can't recommend this school enough and am eager for my younger child to start soon, too. read more

The Montessori curriculum is one of the best ways to harness children's natural love of learning and sustain it, and Pacifica Montessori's elementary school is truly an exceptional example of this. My son will be a fifth grader next year, having attended since kindergarten. I can honestly say he either runs or skips from the car to the classroom every day. Academically, he's been introduced to new material in major subjects at the moment he was ready, which has allowed him to advance naturally at his own pace. The fact that he studies beyond his grade-level to me is secondary to the self-confidence and deep self-knowledge he has gained from this experience--qualities that will serve him both within and outside academics. He has also been nurtured to develop his emotional intelligence through the curriculum's aspects of inclusion and respect of others, chores, community-building, and teaching younger students as a way to master skills. I could go on, but I'll try to wrap up! Pacifica's elementary teacher, with whom my son has studied under for four years, has created an extraordinary learning environment in which students grade 1-5 work every morning, all morning, in quiet concentration. She knows how to introduce disciplinary limits that push the needed outcomes in a respectful, loving way. And the children have plenty of outside playtime that they relish! If it sounds idyllic, well, it pretty much is. read more

This was a home away from home for my kids and even for me for 7 years! I love and miss this school so much now that my kids have all moved on to elementary. When I first toured the school I was skeptical because I had toured a few other "Montessori" preschools and was not impressed. But I was blown away. There were 24 kids (3-5 years old) in one classroom with 2 teachers! Two teachers for that many preschoolers?! I know! But the classroom was so calm and engaged. I could not believe my eyes as I watched the children engage in activities of their choosing, mostly independently or with the help of other students or teachers. There was no yelling, no whining, just engaged happy children. They were doing things like cooking, counting, cleaning, hammering, painting, coloring, reading, polishing, mixing colors, etc. Open House was one of my favorite days of the year because my little 3 or 4 year old showed me around the classroom like a boss! The types of activities are so thoughtful and fun. I could go on and on. But let me talk about the staff. I have never known a preschool to retain staff like this one. The same staff at all levels remained for the entirely of my tenure there. It is like a family and the staff treat the children as such. They are loving and kind, but also deeply invested in educating the children. This education only partially includes "academic" subjects like counting, letter recognition, math, reading, science, history, etc. A big focus is also on healthy socialization, communication, friendship and caring. They learn to be tolerant and open minded observers of the world around them with skills to interact with that world in healthy and productive ways. I know it sounds like a lot to say about a preschool, but I promise, I don't exaggerate! My kids (all three) still talk about this school and their teachers. It had a formative influence in their lives and we will be forever grateful. read more