Welcome to Pacific Oaks Children’s School!
It is my honor to serve as the new Executive Director of Pacific Oaks Children’s School. Over the past 16 years, I have served as a master teacher, become a parent to two amazing boys—Joaquin and Santiago—earned my master’s degree from Pacific Oaks College, and gained valuable experiences within this school community. These experiences have allowed me to connect with parents, educators, and administrators in the field of early childhood education. I am continually inspired by the children, teachers, parents, and staff who make this community so special. It is no surprise that Pacific Oaks Children’s School is recognized as a model preschool for progressive early childhood programs in many published works.
For over 75 years, Pacific Oaks Children’s School has upheld the founding values of equality, simplicity, non-violence, and community. We proudly honor the vision of the seven Quaker families who established our school.
As one of the first progressive education schools in the nation, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where young children can thrive through exploration, experimentation, self-discovery, social interaction, and most importantly, play.
We understand that 90% of a child's brain development occurs by the age of five. With this in mind, we strive to foster problem-solving skills, cognitive growth, and a lifelong love of learning.
Guided by the work of renowned early childhood theorists such as John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky, we follow an emergent curriculum approach. Our teachers build meaningful relationships with each child, tailoring experiences to their unique interests and developmental needs. Learning happens both indoors and outdoors, with rich opportunities supported through open-ended questions, guidance, and encouragement.
We proudly implement Anti-Bias Educational goals. The Anti-Bias Curriculum was developed at Pacific Oaks in the late 1980s under the leadership of Professor Louise Derman-Sparks and the Anti-Bias Taskforce. We continue to honor their legacy by helping children appreciate and embrace differences while promoting fairness and equality.
Families are welcomed with open arms. The Pacific Oaks Parents Association (POPA) actively collaborates with teachers and staff to support excellence in curriculum, instruction, and family engagement.
We welcome back our returning families and invite prospective families to complete the Request More Information form to learn more about joining our community.
Sincerely,
Victor Soto, M.A.
Executive Director
Pacific Oaks Children’s School