Conejo Valley schools are renowned for their phenomenal educators, award-winning programs and high-achieving students who are accepted to their top choice colleges and universities. Here’s a snapshot of some of the area’s favorites educational options.
Carden Conejo
Carden Conejo School is an exceptional educational institution. For over half a century, it has been a nurturing community that not only prepares students academically but also shapes compassionate individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Carden Conejo School is known for its rigorous academic program and small class sizes, with each class taught by a caring, supportive, subject-specific teacher who brings expertise to the students. Students receive instruction from specialists in Language Arts, Math, Science and Engineering, French, Art, Computer Science, Music and Daily Physical Education classes. Public speaking is also an integral part of the Carden curriculum. As the only non-sectarian independent school in the Conejo Valley serving students from preschool through fifth grade, Carden Conejo School stands out as a premier choice for families.
The school balances rigorous academics with the cultivation of manners, morals and personal integrity, inspiring students to reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives. The meticulously designed curriculum encourages intellectual, emotional, social, physical and creative growth, ensuring that students are well-rounded and prepared for the future.
Carden fosters a tight-knit community. Students, teachers and parents enjoy opportunities to unite, interact, collaborate and build meaningful connections. Throughout the year, school events like Fall Festival, Egg Hunts, Movie and Magic Nights, community service opportunities, performances, schoolwide playdates and picnics, and weekly assemblies help make the school a community.
Carden Conejo School stands out not only for its exceptional academic program but also for its commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment. This dedication to both academic excellence and personal growth ensures Carden students attain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in middle school, high school, college and beyond.
Learn more at CardenConejo.com.
Conejo Valley Unified School District
The award-winning Conejo Valley Unified School District has beautiful school campuses located in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village, where exceptional educational experiences are provided to children in transitional kindergarten (TK) through Grade 12, preschool and post-secondary.
The CVUSD’s schools are home to phenomenal educators, dedicated administrators and wonderful staff members who are committed to all students’ success and well-being.
From the District’s high-achieving neighborhood schools to its magnet schools, and unique program offerings, there is something for every students’ interests in the Conejo!
The CVUSD proudly features a “right fit” school for every student, whether scholars are interested in STEAM-based magnets, enrichment-based learning opportunities, becoming bilingual/biliterate leaders at the District’s Spanish-English Dual Language Immersion school, or receiving an inquiry-based education at one of the International Baccalaureate Programs, a variety of diverse offerings are available to families.
Arts education is also a priority for CVUSD scholars with a comprehensive districtwide Strategic Arts Education Plan, which lays the foundation for integrated arts into core content areas including visual arts, theater, media arts and music opportunities for all scholars.
Importantly, the CVUSD continues to prepare students for achieving the future of their dreams. CVUSD graduates not only attend some of the top universities and colleges in the world, but they also learn skills to prepare them for careers and vocational opportunities after graduation day. The CVUSD’s secondary schools boast a variety of Career Pathways Programs from Culinary Arts to Biotechnology, and everything in between.
CVUSD’s schools are home to exceptional athletic programs that consistently earn county and state recognition with scholar-athletes going on to play collegiate-level sports, year after year. There are also seemingly endless club opportunities for students to join, gain new skills and have fun, all while making connections with like-minded peers.
The future is bright for the Conejo Valley Unified School District, as it continues to adapt and innovate to best serve its community of learners. Families interested in learning more about CVUSD’s unique academic offerings and enrollment opportunities are encouraged to visit EnrollCVUSD.com.
Oak Park Unified School District
Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) is a premier public K-12 school district in Oak Park that excels in providing high-quality education and fostering a supportive, nurturing environment for all students.
Founded in 1977 to better meet the community's educational needs, OPUSD consistently ranks as the number one school district in Ventura County and a top 10 in California, reflecting its dedication to creating a healthy school culture where students, staff and families feel seen, supported and valued.
OPUSD employs a comprehensive approach to education, utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to ensure all students' academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs are met. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a key part of this framework, providing tiered behavior support to create a positive school environment.
Each elementary school features credentialed counselors, learning support teachers, and dedicated music and PE teachers, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
The middle school offers numerous intramural sports, wellness centers, music and band programs, various clubs, and a stellar guidance counselor, all of which contribute to exemplary academic achievements.
At the high school level, OPUSD offers a fully staffed wellness center staffed, a wide range of AP and honors courses, and specialized pathways in engineering, fine arts, choir and band. Numerous clubs, competitive sports and extracurricular programs further enrich students' educational journey.
The district's motto, "Educate Compassionate and Creative Global Citizens," reflects its commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals. In Oak Park, students flourish in safe and caring environments, gaining meaningful learning experiences that develop them into compassionate, creative, capable, responsible, happy and caring individuals.
As a District of Choice, OPUSD allows students from outside its boundaries to enroll, fostering a diverse and vibrant student community. The application window for the 2025-2026 school year will open on October 1, 2024.
OPUSD's schools are all California Gold Ribbon schools and have received national recognition as Blue Ribbon schools. OPUSD is also a national Green Ribbon school district, celebrated for its environmentally progressive policies and practices.
For more, visit OPUSD.org or call 818.735.2000.
Oaks Christian
Oaks Christian School celebrates its 25th anniversary with the start of the 2024-25 academic school year. Established in 2000 with an inaugural class of just 73 students, this fall over 1,700 students in Grades 4–12 will proudly call themselves OCS Lions!
The trajectory and growth of the school in a short time has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2002-2004, the school established itself as an athletic powerhouse, domineering several CIF championships across multiple sports. Subsequent years saw continued athletic success.
The opening of the state-of-the-art Bedrosian Performing Arts Pavilion in 2007 elevated the performing arts to the national stage. Visual arts followed shortly thereafter with multiple regional and national awards.
In the area of academics, Oaks Christian has been a vanguard, starting first with its stellar high school offerings, and adding a model middle school program in 2009. Five years later Academy V for fifth grade students was launched. Just a couple of years ago, it was announced a new elementary school had been approved by the board of trustees, and the first level, fourth grade, opened this last year.
Additionally, the school has added five signature institutes: engineering, arts and innovation, global leadership, Bible and discipleship, and the newest, health science, opening in August. Each institute provides specialized pathways for students to gain an advantage in those fields, be mentored and taught master classes by industry professionals, and have internship opportunities.
A crowning achievement was the expansion of the International Student Program with the opening of a modern residential dorm that welcomed 40 students in 2019, but now will house close to 100 international and domestic students. The dorm distinguishes Oaks Christian as one of the few Christian secondary schools nationwide to have both a day and residential boarding program.
Learn more at OaksChristian.org.
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College unveiled its newest satellite campus in February 2023, and it has been an awesome journey for the campus to explore the needs of this community and serve with the academic excellence that is the college’s trademark.
The location of the campus is ideal—sitting in the heart of Malibu, across from Legacy Park and right next to the Malibu Library. Nestled between the green hills and the Pacific Ocean, this two-story state-of-the-art building features an innovative architectural design creating an open and expansive learning environment that is truly unique. Nevertheless, building and design alone do not a campus make—it is the faculty, students and staff that seamlessly make this campus a home to many who came to its doorsteps, seeking to fulfill their educational goals, for learning that could be lifelong or life-changing.
What sets this satellite campus apart from all other five campuses at Santa Monica College, is that this campus has a varied sampling of all four type of classes that are offered by the college: for-credit classes that can be used toward an Associate degree or transfer to a 4-year college; noncredit classes for short-term vocational and workforce preparation and certificates; emeritus classes for older students seeking self-enrichment, and community education classes that are fee-based and open to everyone.
Come and experience this one-of-a-kind campus and immerse yourself in the joy of learning surrounded by natural beauty. Easy to access with ample parking on site, with academic excellence to boot, it is hard not to fall in love with this new space of learning, and the people that fill it.
For class listings, visit smc.edu/Malibu or call 310.434.8600.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, a distinguished private, independent institution, offers a nurturing environment dedicated to the holistic development of each student’s mind, body, spirit and heart. Serving children from age 4 in the Kindergarten Readiness program through eighth grade, the school’s mission is to inspire and equip children to courageously transform the world. Since 1963, St. Patrick’s has established a legacy of exceptional educators collaborating with diverse families to develop the whole child through four foundational principles:
1. Academic Excellence: Stimulating critical thinking in a collaborative environment at all grade levels. The Middle School program provides a curriculum tailored for high school preparation, quarterly electives, leadership development opportunities and outdoor education trips.
2. Creativity: Growing students’ confidence through individual expression in a loving community.
3. Service Leadership: Fostering a commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship.
4. Spiritual Foundation: Guiding each child to develop a moral character based on the Episcopal traditions of integrity, compassion and inclusion.
St. Patrick’s embraces families of all faiths and traditions, celebrating every individual's unique worth and beauty within the community. As the only CAIS-accredited school in the Conejo Valley, the school ensures the highest standards of educational excellence.
Nestled on a beautiful hill within a quiet neighborhood, the picturesque campus includes well-appointed classrooms, dedicated spaces for art, technology, science and music, and an outdoor amphitheater. St. Patrick’s competes in the Tri-Valley Christian Athletic League and encourages all students in Grade 4 and above to participate on school athletic teams throughout three athletic seasons. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School is not just a place to learn and grow; it is a community of kindness where every child is nurtured and set on the path to success.
Call 805.497.1416 or visit StPatricksDaySchool.org for more information.