This is my family's 5th year here, and we currently have kids in K and 4th. It's no doubt the best community in the city. My closest friends are parents here, and not just those in my kids' grades, but across the school. There are endless opportunities to connect, show up for one another, and keep learning as adults too. And now, the real reason we're all here: the kids. My husband and I wanted a school where our children would genuinely love learning, and that's 100% what we've found. The child-centered, inquiry-based approach means kids are curious, engaged, and invested. They have a voice in what they're learning and how they learn it, which makes it stick. We also deeply value the anti-bias curriculum. From the get-go, children learn about differences, talk about them openly, and celebrate them. By the time students leave in 6th grade, they're not only confident, joyful learners, they're thoughtful advocates for themselves and others. Honestly, what more could you ask for? But there is more! An all-school Circus with unicycling, tightrope walking, etc. In-house support for kids with learning differences. Opportunities for the kids to safely gain confidence speaking and presenting their work to the entire community. An all-school Campout. The coolest, most inspiring artwork you've ever seen kids produce. A super cool Hogwarts style, historic campus. A parking lot! A buddy system where the older kids look out for the younger ones. The coziest library. An inspiring music room with instruments galore. The cutest little kinder cottage you ever did see. A beautiful award winning (seriously) outdoor area. Daily P.E. I could go on, but it's starting to get braggy (and that, we're not). If you want a special, low-key amazing boutique school and community experience, come to The Oaks! read more

The Oaks has been such an enriching experience for our entire family. The teachers are intentional, nurturing children's individuality while challenging them in equal measure. My second grader already navigates school with ownership and curiosity. It's a kind, tight-knit environment that provides the small-town community we worried we'd sacrifice in Los Angeles. We are so fortunate to have found it! read more

The Oaks School has been an incredible environment for our family. With my son in fifth grade and my daughter in TK, we've seen firsthand how the school fosters a genuine sense of community that extends beyond the classroom. The focus on social and emotional development has helped both of our children grow with confidence and empathy. We deeply appreciate the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a space where every child feels valued and celebrated. The Oaks truly feels like a second home for our kids and our family read more

Our daughter started her journey at The Oaks in the Mighty K kindergarten class--and from day one, it's felt like discovering something truly magical. She calls the school "her Harry Potter castle," and honestly, that says it all. Set in a beautiful, tucked-away location, The Oaks offers the perfect balance: a small, intimate campus that never feels overwhelming, yet filled with big ideas and endless creativity. What stands out most is the community, not just among the children, but between the parents as well. There's a real sense of support, warmth, and shared purpose. The Oaks' progressive curriculum is one of the main reasons we fell in love with the school. In a time when education is rapidly changing, it's refreshing to find a place that truly nurtures independent thinking, kindness, and collaboration. The buddy system, where older and younger students are paired together, has been especially moving to witness it builds empathy, confidence, and real friendships. Yes, it's still academic, but what truly sets The Oaks apart is how much they invest in helping kids find their voice. Every week, we see students speak with confidence at the weekly assembly, sharing stories, leading songs, and speaking up in front of an audience without fear. It's incredible to witness such young kids stand tall and express themselves with pride. From the legendary camp out to thoughtfully curated school-wide events, everything feels intentionally designed to build lasting memories and a genuine love for learning. We were originally planning to relocate to another city, but The Oaks changed our plans. When you find a school that feels this aligned with your values and your child's happiness, you simply stay. We're so grateful. read more

The Oaks has been the second home for my current 6th grader and 5th grader since kindergarten and my family couldn't be more happy about our choice in school. We find The Oaks to be a warm, engaged and authentic environment for both children. The progressive model has led to a genuine interest and joy in learning as well as the learning process, and helped develop them into thoughtful students. The small school size lends itself to a connected and invested community of students, parents and staff. All the kids know each other's names, regardless of grade, and are genuinely kind, nice children. Social/emotional learning is a standout, along with collaborative classroom environments that encourage the foundational aspects of becoming a curious, critical thinker. We love The Oaks School. read more

The Oaks is a wonderful progressive elementary school that really focuses on the whole child. They have a strong diversity and inclusion program and teach the students about bias and how to be upstanders in a world full of bystanders. There's no elementary school on the planet like the oaks. We love this place. read more

The Oaks School - The beautiful outdoor space - Elementary Schools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Our kid entered first grade a shy, 6 year old, and left a 12 year old who could publicly speak with ease, disseminate a text from multiple points of view, and who is -- not just a citizen of HER world -- but a citizen of the world at large -- because of The Oaks. She now attends one of the most rigorous all-girls schools in the country, where she entered feeling confident, joyful and academically prepared -- accomplished without formal grades, carrots or sticks. As for us, we gained a community of interesting fellow parents who we came to know through drop offs, assemblies and school-wide book group discussions. It became a vital lifeline to people in the same stage of parenting. It was productive and loving. additionally, The Oaks gave our family a social justice framework/context in which we could safely explore, fumble and grow in areas around education, parenting and global citizenship. We are ALL better because we "attended" such a special place. read more

My family has had an overwhelmingly positive experience at The Oaks. My daughter has attended The Oaks for the past 3 years and I have been very pleased with the level of individualized support and attention she has received from her teachers and staff. When my daughter needed extra help in reading and math, her teachers stepped up and provided this support without us having to ask. The results were incredible. Additionally, my daughter loves the extracurricular courses offered at The Oaks, especially Makers (Robotics/Engineering), Music and Library. Lastly, I love that The Oaks utilizes an anti-bias curriculum that teaches children to be curious, knowledgeable and respectful of other races and cultures so they will grow up to be compassionate world citizens. I highly recommend The Oaks to other families! read more

What a wonderful school! The teachers are caring, inspiring, and enthusiastic and the community was so special and warm. Our daughter's time at The Oaks was terrific. A special little bubble in Hollywood! read more

I have to begin by saying I feel terrible for Eleanor and jhon, but I also have to wonder what they were like as younger kids (they are clearly still young) and the full reasons for which they were so unhappy at The Oaks. It is, frankly, impossible for me to see the failings as all on the school's side. Is The Oaks School perfect? Of course not. Is the student body disconcertingly affluent and white? Of course. But these things are true of all independent schools (in LA, the second is true except for The Pilgrim School). What makes The Oaks a school to love is its focus on community, on values (yes, it does teach the importance of feelings, thank you, Eleanor), on an increasing commitment to diversity, and on bridging a developmental first three years (K-2) with a more academic last four years (3-6). My experience (right now with a daughter in 3rd) is that the school has become more academic and more coherent in its curriculum while we've been there (certainly since Eleanor was there, which according to the yelp terms of service, must have been at least eight years ago). Choosing a school for your child is never easy (unless you *have* no choice, then it is painful). There are many wonderful public and independent schools in this city. The Oaks is one. Do we second-guess our choice to go to The Oaks? Again, of course. Everyone should always second-guess their parenting choices to make sure you're continuing to make good ones. But, every time we open up the question of going somewhere else (really just because of the cost), our daughter tells us how much she loves The Oaks and we think about how much she's loving reading (which she was free to learn there without pressure), what a great variety of specialty teachers The Oaks has (drama, art, library, P.E., and music), how sympatico we find the other families, and how sincere we find the faculty and staff. And we remember why we're so happy we're there. read more

The Oaks School has cheated me out of $5000.00. At one of their fundraisers in 2012, I bid on a 9 bedroom house in Jamaica for a 7 day vacation. To date they have refused to tell me how I can claim my "prize". They have never returned my phone calls. I finally went to the school and spoke to the person in charge of the treasury; he said he'd contact the donor, but he never followed up with me. This is a horrid way to treat parents of former students. 2 of our family members still attend The Oaks. I built the garden at the Oaks School and funded the playground with a recycling programme I managed. Somehow someone else's name is on a brass plaque on that garden. When my daughter went to the school I personally brought in 1/5 of the entire fundraising efforts during 5 of the years we were there. I stopped in 6th grade because of excessive bullying which the school admin. Chloe refused to deal with and acted as if we were wrong. I finally had to go to the police because my child was being injured on an almost daily basis. Admin. still denied the charges. Everything Eleanor and Jhon said is true! read more

This progressive elementary school is one of the most forward thinking schools in LA. Overwhelmingly white, but still open for kids with diverse backgrounds. The PA is very active and there are plenty of activities for kids and families on a daily basis. As a parent are expected to volunteer and participate in those activities at least once a week. Kids are taught to be kind to each other, they learn problem-solving skills and a lot more about the current state of their community and the world than just the regular elementary program. read more

there were not enough kids in the school. they tought me nothing i cant spell or read well cus of them! dont go. it is a waste of $20,000. i agree with wakka. read more

Is The Oaks perfect? No, of course not, no school is perfect, and if you believe yours to be then you haven't spent enough time there! Both my kids have been very happy at The Oaks. One is leaving this year and the other is in a younger grade. They will go on, like scores of other Oaks kids to great schools all over the city. They are not over stressed automatons like kids from so many other schools but children who really seem to love learning and are kind and empathic. A bargain really. read more