The Conejo Valley counts quality schools as one of the many perks of living here! These institutions represent the cream of the crop for innovative, world-class educational options.
Carden Conejo School
Carden Conejo School is now located at our beautiful new campus in Thousand Oaks, California, and has been a trusted leader in educational excellence for over 54 years. As the only non-sectarian independent school in the Conejo Valley serving preschool through fifth grade, Carden Conejo offers an enriched academic environment where students thrive in small classes led by passionate, subject-specific educators. Our comprehensive curriculum includes instruction from specialists in Language Arts, Math, Science and Engineering, French, Art, Music, Computer Science and daily Physical Education. Public speaking is integrated throughout, building confidence and communication skills from an early age.
At Carden, we believe education is more than academics—it’s about character, kindness and integrity. Our students grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and creatively, supported by a caring faculty and a close-knit school community. We emphasize manners, moral values and leadership, nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared not only for middle school, but for life. Our new campus features welcoming, purpose-built classrooms designed for focused, hands-on learning in every subject area. This thoughtful setting enhances the student experience while preserving the strong sense of community that defines Carden. At Carden Conejo School, children are known, supported and challenged to reach their full potential in a joyful and structured environment that cultivates curiosity, compassion and confidence.
Visit CardenConejo.com for more information.
Conejo Valley Unified School District
The award-winning Conejo Valley Unified School District proudly serves children in transitional kindergarten (TK) through Grade 12, preschool and post-secondary at its beautiful school campuses located in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village. Committed to providing exceptional educational experiences for all students, the CVUSD focuses on offering opportunities and choices that foster each student’s unique gifts and prepares them to reach their full potential for success in a diverse, challenging and ever-changing world.
What sets the CVUSD apart are its consistently top-ranked educators, dedicated administrators and wonderful staff members who are deeply dedicated to scholarly excellence and cultivating caring campus communities. From the district’s high-achieving neighborhood schools to its magnet schools and unique program offerings, there are opportunities to match every student’s unique 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 multilingual 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. 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 top-performing 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 a wide variety of 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 ConejoUSD.org.
Oak Park Unified School District
Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) is a top-tier public school district serving 4,474 students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Located in Oak Park, a small community between Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, OPUSD has provided exceptional education since its founding in 1977. The district offers a full range of educational services, including a preschool, three elementary schools, a middle school, a comprehensive high school, an independent study school and an alternative high school tailored to students with unique learning styles. OPUSD is committed to inclusive practices and a climate of care, using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support flexible, equitable access to learning for all students. The district also employs a comprehensive approach to student support through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), addressing academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an integral part of this framework, promoting a positive and respectful school environment for all.
Each elementary school features credentialed counselors, learning support teachers and dedicated music and PE instructors to create a well-rounded foundation. At the middle school, students benefit from intramural sports, wellness centers, music and band programs, clubs and strong guidance services that support both academic growth and personal development. At the high school level, OPUSD offers a fully staffed wellness center, a wide range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, and specialized academic pathways in areas such as engineering, fine arts, choir and band. A diverse range of student clubs, competitive athletics and extracurricular opportunities provide students with rich and varied experiences throughout their educational journey.
All OPUSD schools are California Gold Ribbon or Distinguished Schools, with four recognized nationally as Blue Ribbon Schools. The district has also been named a Green Ribbon School District by both the California Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education for its environmentally focused practices. In 2019, OPUSD received the Exemplary School District Award for the second consecutive year, and in 2018, it was named “Best Green School System” by the U.S. Green Building Council and Center for Green Schools. In the 2025 Niche rankings, OPUSD is ranked number 1 of 10 school districts in Ventura County, number 1 of 15 for Best Teachers in Ventura County, number 9 of 102 in the Los Angeles area, number 21 of 490 in California, and number 94 of 10,561 nationwide. The district’s motto, Educate Compassionate and Creative Global Citizens, reflects its deep commitment to fostering academic success, personal growth and the development of capable, caring individuals.
To learn more about Oak Park USD, visit OPUSD.org or call 818.735.3200 to ask about enrollment options.
Oaks Christian School
Oaks Christian School begins the next chapter of the school’s illustrious history with the start of the 2025-26 school year. Having just graduated its largest senior class in June 2025–296 seniors- Oaks Christian continues its tradition of academic excellence, artistic expression and athletic distinction.
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.
Additionally, the school has added five signature institutes: engineering, arts and innovation, global leadership, Bible and discipleship, and the newest, health science, which launched this past school year. 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.
Dance!
California Dance Theatre
Celebrating 39 years of dance excellence, California Dance Theatre is the official training school of the renowned Pacific Festival Ballet and Home of the Tiler Peck Summer Intensive. Discover their classes for all ages and levels at CalDanceTheatre.com.
Cuizon Ballet Centre
With the mission to provide exceptional ballet training that instills passion and discipline in every dancer, Cuizon Ballet Centre aims to create a nurturing environment where students can grow their skills and artistry. Explore their programs at CuizonBalletCentre.com.