Overview: Facts, Figures, and Offerings
Sierra Canyon’s carefully designed Pre-K through Grade 12 program builds curiosity and mastery in equal measure, fully preparing your child for college, career, and life beyond. Our approach— which we call Learning forward—reflects the committed efforts of every member of our extended community. Here’s an overview of who we are, what we do, and how you can find out more.
FACTS AND FIGURES
TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
Founded: 1978
Tuition and Fees: 2026-27
Founders: Mick Horwitz and Howard Wang Head of School: Stephanie Rubin Head of School Emeritus: Jim Skrumbis Grades: Pre-K through Grade 12 Mascot: Trailblazer Enrollment: 1,200 students 11% international Upper Campus students 160 zip codes represented Average Class Size: Lower Campus: 20 Upper Campus: 15 Student/faculty ratio: Lower Campus: 8:1 Upper Campus: 10:1 Faculty: 131 full-time and 11 part-time 52% hold advanced degrees 40 have been at Sierra Canyon for 10+ years Physical Campus: 2 adjacent campuses 49 total acres with 26 buildings Transportation: Daily buses from Agoura Hills, Bel-Air, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Culver City, Hidden Hills, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Tarzana, Valencia, Westchester, West Hills, and Woodland Hills
Pre-Kindergarten: $29,150 Kindergarten – 6th: $41,800 7th – 12th: $48,600 New Student Fee: $2,000 Sierra Canyon has a financial aid program that is fairly administered, clearly communicated, and consistently applied in accordance with the principles and practices of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The School’s financial aid program is designed to help support families in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who demonstrate financial need. We partner with Clarity, a secure and user friendly platform to determine a family’s level of need. To find out more and to access forms, please visit sierracanyonschool.org.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
LOWER SCHOOL
Sierra Canyon is committed to instilling intellectual curiosity in students and providing an excellent education that will serve as a foundation for life. Students are challenged to Learn forward and achieve their full potential individually and as part of a community. Creative, social, emotional, physical, digital, and ethical development is heavily emphasized within the academic program. Expert teachers deliver a challenging and engaging curriculum in a dynamic classroom environment.
At Sierra Canyon, we believe learning is both emotional and intellectual. Small class sizes and differentiated instruction in reading and math ensure every student is appropriately challenged and supported to reach their full poential. From Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade, students engage in a robust, interdisciplinary curriculum including language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, library, art, music, wellness, computer science, Spanish, and physical education. Character education is woven throughout, helping students develop integrity, empathy, and responsibility through lessons and assemblies. As the oldest students on the Lower Campus, sixth graders take on leadership roles and grow more independent. They follow a rotating schedule and build key executive functioning skills, including time management, self-advocacy, and study strategies. A dedicated faculty team provides core instruction in English, Latin, science, mathematics and history, complemented by specialist-taught courses in art, music, library, physical education, and computer science for a comprehensive, developmentally responsive experience. MIDDLE SCHOOL We design every learning experience to be exciting and purposeful, while meeting the educational and social needs of 7th and 8th graders. Intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral development, along with time management and organizational skills. Students are challenged and engaged through wideranging problem-solving and experiential learning opportunities. Optional community service activities are offered throughout the year to engage students with organizations and to introduce service as a lifelong pursuit. Additional opportunities include computer coding, competitive math class and team, grade level trips, student government, electives, student-run clubs, and athletics. UPPER SCHOOL We immerse Upper School students in a challenging, comprehensive program focusing on further development of critical thinking and personalized college preparation, with 40 honors courses and AP preparation in 25 areas. Qualified students are inducted yearly into National Honor Society and Cum Laude. In the last few years, we’ve celebrated 11 National Merit Finalists and 35 National Merit Commended Scholars. We placed 1st at the Princeton University Mathematics Competition and represented Team USA at the International Math Olympiad. Unique courses: Ancient Greek, Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Linear Algebra, Honors Multivariable Calculus, Music Production, Honors Research, Honors Software Engineering, Honors Theatre Conservatory, and Trailblazer Records. Extracurricular opportunities: Clubs, athletics, Speech and Debate, student government, literary magazine, newspaper, performing arts, and Esports.
APs OFFERED
SIGNATURE PROGR AMS
English:
Character Education: Students are immersed in an environment that emphasizes and values character development. We are ever-committed to growing young minds and hearts.
English Language English Literature Math: Precalculus Calculus AB Calculus BC Statistics History: Art History European History US Government
Cross-Age Parterships: Students connect across grade levels through rotating partnerships centered around service projects, academic events, and theme days, fostering community and collaboration. Service Learning: Project-based programs provide educational opportunities within and beyond the Lower through Upper School community. Student Council: Students in grades 4-12 take on leadership roles where they represent their peers, lead initiatives and make meaningful contributions to campus life. Peak Week: Experiential learning immersion program for Middle & Upper School students. Wellness Wednesdays: Dedicated days for our Upper Campus community to prioritize physical and mental well-being filled with special activites to allow our students to recharge and focus on their journey to a healthier self.
US History
ARTS
World History
With rich course offerings in both the performing and visual arts, and the anticipated opening of the Everest Center for the Arts, our program is designed to inspire students to discover, develop, and fully express their creativity. Arts education is infused into the student experience throughout the PreK through Grade 12 providing all students with many opportunities to showcase their work through performances, showcases, exhibitions, and film festivals. The Arts curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students pursuing a wellrounded education as well as those wishing to eventually major in the arts at the college level or enter the profession. The Lower Campus Enrichment program and the Upper Campus Arts Academy provide specialized, after-school arts instruction while allowing students to pursue their academic interests during the school day.
Performing Arts: Music Theory Science: Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics I Physics II Physics C
ATHLETICS
Technology:
Our Sierra Canyon athletic program’s grade 4 through 12 “no tryout, no cut” policy allows your child to find a sport to excel in, or simply enjoy, regardless of skill level. We are proud of our championship teams, and the class of 2026 left behind quite a legacy. On their collective resume are 3 national, 2 state, and 4 CIF-SS championships in addition to 15 Mission League titles. Thirty-three graduates will further their athletic careers in college.
Computer Science Principles Computer Science A Cybersecurity Visual Arts: Studio Art World Languages: French Language & Culture Latin Spanish Language & Culture
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES FOR THE CL ASSES OF 2024 –2026 Includes all colleges where Sierra Canyon students matriculated, along with a selection of additional colleges to which students were accepted. American University Amherst College Art Center College of Design Babson College Bates College Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Brandeis University California Lutheran University California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo California State University-Fullerton California State University-Long Beach California State University-Northridge Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Chapman University Colgate University Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College Drexel University Duke University Eastern Washington University Emerson College Emory University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Hampton University Harvard University Harvey Mudd College Howard University Imperial College London Indiana University Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Juniata College Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Manhattanville University Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGill University Mercyhurst University Montana State University Mount Saint Mary’s University New Mexico State University New York University North Carolina A & T State University Northeastern University Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Oberlin College The Ohio State University Oregon State University Pace University Pepperdine University Pomona College Prairie View A & M University Princeton University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rice University Rutgers University-New Brunswick San Diego State University San Francisco State University Savannah College of Art and Design Scripps College Skidmore College Sonoma State University Southern Methodist University Spelman College Stanford University Stonehill College Syracuse University Texas A & M University The American University of Paris The New School The Pennsylvania State University The University of Alabama The University of Edinburgh The University of Tennessee-Knoxville The University of Texas at Austin Tufts University Tulane University
United States Air Force Academy University of Arizona University of California-Berkeley University of California-Davis University of California-Irvine University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Merced University of California-Riverside University of California-San Diego University of California-Santa Barbara University of California-Santa Cruz University of Cambridge University of Colorado Boulder University of Connecticut University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Kansas University of Louisville University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Nevada-Las Vegas University of Nevada-Reno University of New Mexico University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of Richmond University of San Diego University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Utah University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin University of the Pacific Villanova University Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Whittier College Yale University