Curtis School in Los Angeles, California, is an independent day school enrolling boys and girls in Developmental Kindergarten through Grade 6. The campus is situated in suburban Los Angeles, adjacent to the San Diego Freeway and the top of the Sepulveda Pass. The School takes advantage of the opportunities afforded in the Los Angeles area for field trips to sites of historical, cultural, and environmental interest. Students travel to and from school on buses provided by an independent company or in car pools arranged by parents.

Curtis School was founded in 1925 as a proprietary school by Carl Curtis and was continued after a 1937 reorganization by his nephew, Carl F. Curtis. In 1964, the School was purchased by Willard E. Badham, who had been the athletic director for 18 years, and two partners. Over the next 10 years, enrollment grew from 100 to 400 under his leadership. The School was reorganized as a nonprofit corporation in 1975, and Mr. Badham continued as Headmaster. Curtis School moved to the Mulholland site in 1981.

Since its founding, the goal of Curtis School has been to provide sound academic training and to develop young people who are thoughtful, creative, and responsible citizens. A standard dress or uniform is worn in all grades. Morals and values are emphasized in daily teaching. Students also organize service projects to help the needy or handicapped. Because of the value the School places on a sound body, physical education and athletics are vital to the program, and all students engage in physical education daily.

Curtis School is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, which meets six times a year. The School holds membership in the National Association of Independent Schools and The California Association of Independent Schools, among other affiliations. The Parents’ Association and the Alumni Association, which represents 3300 living graduates, assist the School in social, cultural, and fund-raising activities.

THE CAMPUS. The 27-acre campus, shaded by mature trees, is located in the Santa Monica Mountains and is normally cooled by breezes off the ocean. Athletic fields and grassy malls surround low-rise, Spanish mission-style buildings with red tile roofs and functional design.

In addition to regular classroom buildings, the main features are the Ahmanson Building, a multipurpose structure housing the auditorium and art, music, and science rooms; the library/administration facility; and the Pavilion, a performing arts/gymnasium complex. The library contains more than 16,000 volumes. In addition to fields for football, baseball, soccer, and track, athletic facilities include a 25-yard heated swimming pool, a volleyball court, three tennis courts, a handball/racquetball court, and three basketball courts.

The School-owned plant is valued at $20,000,000.

THE FACULTY. In 2009, Peter W. Smailes was named the sixth Headmaster of Curtis School. During his 13-year tenure at Curtis, he has held many titles including English teacher, Dean of Upper School, Head of Middle School, and Outplacement Advisor. Long respected as an educational leader in West Los Angeles and widely credited for many of the structural and programmatic improvements made at Curtis over the last decade, Peter Smailes is committed to leading the School in a manner that is both forward-looking and honors its traditions and mission.

Faculty members are graduates of such institutions as Brigham Young, Bucknell, Connecticut College, Emory, Illinois State, Ohio State, Pennsylvania State, Scripps College, United States International, and the Universities of California, Colorado, and North Carolina.

Faculty benefits include health insurance, a retirement plan, Social Security, educational and personal development grants, and leaves of absence.

A health officer is on duty full-time at the School, and emergency facilities are available nearby at the UCLA Hospital.

STUDENT BODY. In 2008–09, Curtis School enrolled 498 day boys and girls in Developmental Kindergarten-Grade 6. Students represented Bel Air, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and other communities in the Los Angeles area.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM. Curtis School offers a well-balanced academic program, with necessary skills taught in lively and creative ways designed to teach students to read, write, speak, compute, and reason.

Most students enter Curtis in Developmental Kindergarten or Kindergarten. The Lower Elementary Divison (DK-Grade 2) aims to foster the natural curiosity and love of learning in young children. Reading is taught balancing elements of both phonics and whole language, and literature is a part of every classroom. The language arts curriculum stresses written and oral expression as well as the fundamental skills of grammar and spelling. The mathematics program also seeks a balance between conceptual understanding, problem solving, and the acquisition of basic skills. Social studies, a lab-based, hands-on science program, computers, and library round out the academic program.

The Upper Elementary Division (Grades 3-6) focuses on the skills and attitudes needed for secondary school success. Writing, reasoning, and experiential and cooperative learning are emphasized. The English program continues to utilize literature with focus on comprehension and fluency. Writing remains at the core of the program, and students explore poetry and a variety of other genres. The formal written report is also a key part of the Upper Elementary School experience. The structure of language-grammar, syntax, and usage-increases in importance at these grade levels. Mathematics embraces a broad range of concepts and skills, incorporating the use of calculators and computers. The social studies and science programs become more project-oriented and are integrated with other subjects whenever possible. Students learn computer and technology skills appropriate to the age group. Many students go on to leading secondary schools at the conclusion of Grade 6.

The arts form an essential part of the Curtis curriculum. Holiday and Spring Concerts are annual events, and drama performances, poetry recitals, and dramatic readings are organized on a regular basis by individual teachers or through the after-school Curtis Extension Program.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES. Representatives from Grades 1 through Grade 6 are elected to the Student Council, which organizes school activities, assists at various functions, and acts as a liaison among students, faculty, and administration.

Athletics are a major component of the Curtis program. Every Curtis student has a sports class each day, and more than 95 percent of students in Grades 4-6 participate in the extensive interscholastic sports program, which emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play. Girls’ team sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track, while boys’ teams compete in flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and track. Middle School students may participate on the swim and debate teams as well as the award-winning orchestra and choir.

Field trips, many of them subject-related, are planned for all grades to take advantage of the cultural, historical, and community activities in the Los Angeles area. A wide range of performing arts events are scheduled for the entire School. Grades 5 and 6 take field trips to eastern cities, including Washington, D.C., during the spring break.

Special events on the school calendar include the Back to School Picnic, Curtis Fair, Holiday Program, Spring Event, Dad’s Day, and Grandparent's Day.

ADMISSION AND COSTS. Curtis School seeks all-around students who will be good citizens. Students are accepted in all grades on the basis of entrance examinations and standardized test results, personal and teacher recommendations, and an interview at the School. A $150 fee is required with the application.

Tuition is $20,950 for Developmental Kindergarten-Grade 6. Uniforms, transportation, and field trip charges are extra. There is a one-time New Family Fee of $1500. Tuition insurance and payment plans are offered. The School awards more than $500,000 annually in financial aid on the basis of need.

Chief Financial Officer: Daniel Rothbauer .

Director of Admissions: Mimi Petrie .

Accounting Manager: Kate Fox .

Director of Athletics: Mark Nott .