Philosophy

At Pacific Oaks we engage as a community in critical thinking and dialogue in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the world and each other. We practice a progressive philosophy based on the work of John Dewey, by providing abundant opportunities for experiential learning.  

 Our teachers recognize that play is the work of children and they learn best through hands-on activities with a variety of open ended materials.   Our capable teachers ask insightful questions, help children expand upon their thinking and build meaningful curriculum from the emerging interests of their students.

The curriculum at Pacific Oaks is also influenced by our Quaker heritage and dedication to the principles of social justice and peace education. Our teachers skillfully facilitate problem solving and peaceful conflict resolution, demonstrate respect for each other, teach social responsibility and integrate an anti-bias perspective into every aspect of our early childhood programs. At Pacific Oaks Children's School we promote developmentally appropriate practices as we build the foundation for lifelong learning.