Known as "Where the Mountains Meet the Sea," the Palisades is a very affluent and primarily residential area, with a mixture of large private homes, small (usually older) houses, condominiums, and apartments. It has a small central business district on Sunset Boulevard, consisting of restaurants, stores, banks, and offices, known as "the village." It also includes some large parklands and many hiking trails. Palisades Charter High School serves the neighborhood. Pacific Palisades is located between Brentwood to the east, Malibu to the west, Santa Monica to the southeast, the Santa Monica Bay to the southwest, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. The area currently has about 27,000 residents.
Local Schools
Pre-schools in Pacific Palisades
Calvary Christian Pre-School 701 Palisades Dr. (310) 573-0082
Kehillat Israel Early Childhood Center 16019 Sunset Blvd.. (310) 459-4413
Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles 16720 Marquez Ave. (310) 454-9395
Little Dolphins by the Sea (A subsidiary of Seven Arrows) 15601 Sunset Blvd. (310) 454-7277
Methodist Pre-School 800 Via De La Paz (310) 454-4600
Palisades Lutheran Pre-School 15905 Sunset Blvd. (310) 459-3425
Palisades Montessori 16706 Marquez Ave. (310) 454-6497
Presbyterian Nursery School 15821 Sunset Blvd. (310) 454-0737
Rustic Canyon Cooperative Nursery School 601 Latimer Road (310) 450-1049
K-12 Schools
The public schools in Pacific Palisades and Brentwood are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, (213) 625-5437, whereas Santa Monica has its own public school system.
Pacific Palisades Public Schools
Canyon Charter Elementary School, 421 Entrada Dr. was founded in 1894 and is the oldest elementary in Los Angeles. Presently 347 students fill its kindergarten through 5th-grade classes. The number of classes varies per grade as does the number of students per classroom. At all three public elementary schools, enrollment is limited to 20 students per class in grades 1 to 3. Enrollment for Fall begins this Spring. Contact: (310) 454- 7510.
Marquez Charter Elementary School, 16821 Marquez Ave., founded in 1955, has 620 students enrolled in its kindergarten through 5th grades. The number of classes per grade as well as the number of students in each room varies (20 students per class in grades 1 to 3). Charter applications are available in January as are enrollment packets (for residents living west of Temescal Canyon Road). The application period for non-residents ends March 31. Contact: (310) 454- 4019.
Palisades Charter Elementary School, 800 Via De La Paz, was founded in 1931 and serves 444 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The number of classes per grade level varies, with an average of 20 students in each of the K through 3rd grade classes, and 33 in the 4th and 5th grade rooms. Enrollment begins in January and is on going, with a lottery beginning in April for those families outside of the attendance area. Contact: (310) 454-3700.
Paul Revere Middle School (Grades 6 through 8), 1450 Allenford Ave., was founded in l955, and now includes a mathematics and science technology magnet center. The school has an enrollment of 1,700, with an average of 37 students in each classroom, and approximately 12 classes per grade. Enrollment periods vary according to the application-charter, with or without transportation, or magnet-and is based on residency. Contact: (310) 451-5789.
Palisades High School (Grades 9 through 12), 15777 Bowdoin St., was founded in 1961. There are 2,460 students enrolled in grades 9 through 12, with an average of 40 students per classroom. The application period begins the first week of October and extends through mid-January. Applications received after this period are placed on a waiting list. A charter or magnet application is required. Contact: (310) 454-0611.
Temescal Canyon Continuation High School, 777 Temescal Canyon Rd., was founded in 1978. Seventy-five students are enrolled in grades 10 through 12, with about 15 students in each classroom, and 25 students per grade. There are no enrollment requirements for the students, all of whom work at an individual pace. Contact: (310) 454-0315.
Pacific Palisades Private Schools
The Archer School for Girls, 15240 La Cruz Dr., accommodates 122 students in grades 6 through 9, with plans to expand one grade level per year until the school eventually includes a 12th grade. Class size averages 14 students. The enrollment period begins on September 1 and extends through January 31, but the school will consider application through the summer if space is available. Archer School was founded on November 15, 1994. (310) 230-1239.
Calvary Christian School, 701 Palisades Dr., has 345 students in its kindergarten through 8th-grade classes. The school, founded in August 1989, has expanded to include two classes per grade with an average of 17 to 20 students in each room. Enrollment for the school begins the first week of November and ends the beginning of February. (310) 573-0082.
Corpus Christi Catholic School, 890 Toyopa Dr., was founded in 1951 for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Enrollment totals 322, with one class per grade level (except for 6th grade, which has two groups). There are 30 to 35 students in each class. Enrollment begins on October 1 and extends through May; applications will be accepted throughout the year if space is available. (310) 454-9411.
St Matthew's Parish School, 1031 Bienveneda Ave., was founded in l949. There are 320 students enrolled in grades K through 8, with one class per grade level; class size averages 26 to 34 students. Enrollment begins on October 1 and extends through February 1, with later applications accepted depending upon available space. Enrollment is based primarily upon developmental and academic preparedness. (310) 454-1350.
Village School, 780 Swarthmore Ave., was founded in 1977 and serves students from kindergarten through 6th grade. There are currently 255 students enrolled, with two classes per grade level (the kindergarten has three classes), and an average of 16 students per classroom. Interested parents can begin application proceedings up to 18 months prior to the start of the school year their child will begin attending. Acceptance to Village is based upon the school's evaluation and/or testing process, interviews, teacher recommendations and transcripts, if applicable. (310) 459-8411.
