Academics
Our Approach to Learning
At Sycamore, we’re proud to be an urban school that offers a dynamic learning environment with small class sizes and engaging, high-quality instruction.
Our academic approach is rooted in the belief that students thrive when their whole selves are nurtured. In addition to strong core academics, we prioritize social-emotional learning, creativity, and physical well-being through programs in art, music, yoga, chess, and more—led by dedicated specialists.
We strive to make school a place that is fun, safe, and structured - where students are encouraged to grow into kind, independent, resilient, and curious learners.
Diverse Community
Teaching students to be global citizens who have an awareness and understanding of the wider world, is crucial for social development. Discussing current events, explicitly teaching and discussing what prejudice and bias looks and sounds like, and providing opportunities to take action for social change will give students the space to become allies and advocates for others. Engaging in service learning opportunities in our diverse city cultivates a community of respectful and empathetic people. Read our complete DEI statement here.
Diverse Community
Reading Centric
Sycamore offers a dynamic reading program that includes daily reading workshop, independent reading time, and access to books across all subjects. Students regularly visit the local library, connecting with librarians and discovering books as tools for research, imagination, and cultural exploration. Daily read-alouds foster social-emotional growth and expose students to complex language and storytelling beyond their independent reading level.
Reading Centric
Whole-Child Education
The Whole Child approach to learning immerses students in engaging learning environments to foster a sense of community and encourage interpersonal skills such as problem solving, goal setting, creativity, autonomy, and self-accountability. Our philosophy encourages children’s growth by responsiveness to their understandings, interests, and abilities, allowing children to deepen their innate curiosity and eagerness to discover and learn more. 5 Selves of the Whole Child: Curious, Creative, Caring, Empathetic, Confident.
Whole-Child Education
Community Learners
Lifelong learning drives Sycamore Community School's vision for student growth. Building community at Sycamore means partnerships between the home and school through morning meetings, publishing parties, field trips and other volunteer opportunities. Immersing students into the extensive urban, civic, and cultural opportunities that Los Angeles offers will be at the core of the school program.
Community Learners
Academic Curriculum
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Phonics in Reading Instruction
Sycamore Community School takes a phonics-based approach to reading instruction in Kindergarten to Second Grade. Our program is rooted in the idea that “phonics is best taught explicitly and systematically and then practiced extensively until automatic. When word recognition becomes automatic, children can shift their attention to comprehending what they read.” Reading Rockets
In order to support this, students begin in Kindergarten learning letter shapes and names, phonemic awareness, and all major letter-sound relationships. As they progress through First Grade, they are introduced to additional sight words, spelling patterns, vowel sounds, digraphs, blends, and word endings. Phonics is then reinforced in upper grades through activities such as word origins, prefixes, and suffixes.
Developing a comprehensive reading program is at the heart of our school. Using a combination of phonics instruction and Reading & Writing Workshop allows students to be immersed in a comprehensive, robust language program
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Cognitively Guided Instruction
Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is a math pedagogy based on the work of Megan Franke, UCLA Center X, that allows for differentiated instruction. This student-centered approach maximizes engagement through an emphasis on exploring how to use your intuition and natural number sense to solve problems.
Visit the UCLA Mathematics Project to learn more.
Eureka Math (EngageNY)
“Eureka Math® set a new standard for rigor, coherence, and focus in the classroom so students gain a deeper understanding of the why behind the numbers, all while making math more enjoyable to learn and teach”
Visit Great Minds to learn more.
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Elementary (K-5): Mystery Science
“For these critical ten years of their lives, any time a child wonders something all they can do is ask grownups: parents or other adult family members at home, and teachers at school. Most questions that children ask, grownups simply don’t know how to answer. How does a magnet stick to a fridge? Can animals get sunburn? Why do some people have different accents?”
– Mystery Science
Visit Mystery Science to learn more.
Middle School (6-8): STEMscopes
“Our digital curriculum is brought to life through exploratory hands-on kits that promote inquiry and excitement as your students engage in real-world scientific connections.”
– STEMscopes
Visit STEMscopes to learn more.
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Standards-Based Curriculum (K-1)
In the Kindergarten and First grade classes, students are guided through a standards-based social studies curriculum.
Teacher Curriculum Institute (Grades 2-8)
“Students can’t help but love TCI’s hands-on lessons. Inquiry projects, debates, and experiential exercises are just some ways that students investigate and master key concepts.” – Teacher Curriculum Institute
Visit the Teacher Curriculum Institute to learn more.
Social Emotional Learning
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Practicing mindfulness in the classroom develops a student’s ability to focus on the present moment and engage in learning.
Research shows the benefit of giving students the space and tools to re-center and refocus results in a decrease of stress and anxiety. The cornerstones of mindfulness educate students on how to cope with daily fluctuations in life and build resilience by embracing and learning from challenges. (Learn more in the Introduction of Daniel Rechtschaffen’s The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students.)
In order to support this, students begin in Kindergarten learning letter shapes and names, phonemic awareness, and all major letter-sound relationships. As they progress through First Grade, they are introduced to additional sight words, spelling patterns, vowel sounds, digraphs, blends, and word endings. Phonics is then reinforced in upper grades through activities such as word origins, prefixes, and suffixes.
Developing a comprehensive reading program is at the heart of our school. Using a combination of phonics instruction and Reading & Writing Workshop allows students to be immersed in a comprehensive, robust language program
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A growth mindset is an essential skill for success. Having a growth mindset is defined by the understanding that one’s ability fluctuates as a result of effort, perseverance, and practice. Carol Dweck’s research on the Growth Mindset approach to learning explains that how you view yourself determines your outcome. Sycamore Community School integrates growth mindset practices and activities into each learning domain to heighten our student’s awareness around their potential and build a higher self-worth.
“These neuroscientific discoveries have shown us that we can increase our neural growth by the actions we take, such as using good strategies, asking questions, practicing, and following good nutrition and sleep habits.” – Mindset Works
Visit Mindset Works to learn more.
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Responsive Classroom is a framework of social and emotional practices designed to build a strong and cohesive classroom community. The practices are based on partnerships, which allow students to get to know and trust each other as people, learners, teachers, and coaches.
In a responsive classroom, students feel valued because of the rapport they build with their peers and teachers through morning meetings, closing circles, and consistent feedback. In partnership with students, the teacher establishes a classroom culture where students are intrinsically motivated.
Four Key Domains of Responsive Classroom:
• Engaging Academics
• Positive Community
• Effective Management
• Developmentally Responsive Classroom
“We believe students learn best and thrive in school and classroom environments that are responsible to their academics, social, and emotional strengths and needs.” – Center for Responsive SchoolsVisit the Center for Responsive Schools to learn more.
Enrichment Programs
At Sycamore, enrichment is more than an add-on—it’s a meaningful part of how students grow and thrive. Our strong programs in music, musical theatre, sports, and speech & debate give students the chance to explore their passions and build confidence through creative expression and teamwork. With time, consistency, and encouragement, our students are developing real skills—and becoming impressively accomplished in the areas they love most.
Field Trips
Field trips at Sycamore are opportunities to connect with our city, practice sustainability, and engage with the broader community. Led by our dedicated field trip coordinator, Kathy Brisacher, students explore local resources like the Santa Monica Public Library, nearby parks, and cultural landmarks. Whenever possible, we travel by foot or take public transit -turning each outing into a lesson in civic awareness and environmentally conscious travel. These experiences deepen students’ understanding of the world around them and foster a sense of responsibility through meaningful service projects and community connections.
After School Programs
Our after school programs are welcoming and inclusive; this encourages students to try new things! Pop and rock ensemble, art, chess, legos, track and field, basketball, musical theatre, speech & debate programs are just some of the fun and exciting enrichment programs we offer to students. The classes will vary depending on the needs and interests of our students and will meet weekly after school.