Testimonials
“Enrolling my son at Sycamore is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as a parent. Previously, he was in second grade at a local charter school and his light was growing dimmer by the day. He never looked forward to school, was opting out of classwork, and was often dismayed by his teacher who heavily relied on screens to teach and was often angry at or disappointed in her students. Everything has changed at Sycamore. I have my bright, happy, engaged child back. He goes to school with a smile and comes home even happier. He loves the field trips, chess and Spanish, and has made so many new friends. He also loves his teachers. As a parent, I love the community: the staff, the teachers, the families. We feel like we belong here. Mrs. McQueen is truly one-of-a-kind. She knows every child and parent personally. We all love that it is a small school. Sycamore is the kind of place that feels too good to be true. I only wish we enrolled sooner.”
“Having taught middle school many years ago, I was nostalgic to see the classroom at Grandfriends day. I loved your classroom, the students, and the ambience of your entire school. What a true labor of love the faculty displayed. I can see why my grandaughter loves to come to school, loves her teachers, and loves to learn!”
“As parents, you hope to find a school where your child not only feels accepted and challenged, but truly loves being there each day. That’s exactly what we found at Sycamore Community School. Our son is excited to go to school every morning, and he has formed the most wonderful friendships that mean so much to him. What makes Sycamore truly special is the community. The teachers, staff, and families create an environment that is incredibly warm, supportive, and deeply invested in every child. As a room parent and someone who has served on several committees, I’ve seen firsthand the care and intention that goes into making Sycamore such a joyful and nurturing place to learn and grow.”
“While at Sycamore, our son was encouraged to step out of his comfort zone and try new things. Who knew he would perform in the Hamilton musical, join the debate team, the track and field team, and become a chess enthusiast. Not to mention become friends with students of all ages, including kindergarteners and first graders, many of whom he has tutored. These confidence-building experiences, along with countless excursions in and around Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles community, has prepared him to become an engaging citizen of the world and a passionate ambassador of Mother Earth.”
“My daughter has thrived beyond our expectations at Sycamore Community School. She was enrolled in several schools before we decided to take a chance on this brand-new school, and we could not be more impressed. Although the school is small, we have seen enrollment quadruple in just four years, adding a rich, fulfilling, dynamic sense of community with each new family. The students take pride in developing an understanding of agency by effectively communicating with their teachers when they need help and harnessing the power within to positively impact the younger students, their peers, the school, and the greater community.”
“My wife and I have three boys at Sycamore, a fourth grader, a third grader, and a kindergartner and as a family we’ve really come to appreciate how special this school is. One of the things that stood out to us early on is that Sycamore truly feels like a community. Its size and class structure really creates a unique learning environment. The kids know each other across grades, but the families get to know each other too. You start to recognize people, you see the same parents around, and it builds a very supportive environment. At the same time, the teachers and the learning environment here are incredible. The teachers are thoughtful, engaged, and really know the kids as individuals. Our boys feel supported, challenged, and excited to come to school, which as parents is exactly what you hope for. You can see the care the teachers put into creating an environment where kids feel confident learning and asking questions. As a family we participate quite a bit in the life of the school, and one of the things we’ve appreciated is that there are opportunities for everyone to get involved if they want to. It doesn’t matter what your background is, if you want to show up and contribute, there's a place for you. We also value how the school connects the kids to the broader community around them. They use local spaces like the library, and parks, they utilize public transport for different activities, and they’re out in the community in a thoughtful and structured way. The kids are learning about their local community and the world around them while still being in a safe and supportive environment. For our family, Sycamore has become much more than just the place our kids go to school. It’s a community we feel lucky to be part of.”
“I could write an entire essay about why we love Sycamore. But to thin it down: Sycamore is not just a school; it is a community; it is a tribe. And I could not have asked for a better group of people to help me raise my son. He is thriving and looks forward to going to school each and every day.”
“Sycamore Community School has been an incredible place for both Max and Leo, and we could not be more grateful for the environment they’ve grown into. They are truly thriving—not only academically, but as well‑rounded, curious, confident young learners. What we appreciate most is how Sycamore goes far beyond core academics. Max and Leo are challenged each day with rigorous, engaging instruction that keeps them motivated and excited to learn. At the same time, the school intentionally nurtures their development across the fine arts, science, music, theater, and sports. This balanced approach has helped them discover new interests, build confidence, and understand the value of creativity and exploration alongside strong academic habits. As parents, we’ve also found something unexpected and incredibly meaningful: a true community. Sycamore has connected us with like‑minded families who share our values around education, curiosity, kindness, and raising well‑rounded kids. The friendships we’ve formed—with teachers, staff, and fellow parents—have made us feel supported, welcomed, and deeply connected. It’s a rare and wonderful feeling to know your children are in a place where your whole family belongs. Sycamore’s teachers and staff genuinely see the whole child. The support, encouragement, and enrichment opportunities provided have allowed Max and Leo to grow not just as students, but as thoughtful, well‑rounded individuals. We couldn’t imagine a better community for them, and we’re so grateful for the impact the school continues to have on their lives.”
“Parents seek schools blending city vibrancy and nature’s calm; Sycamore surpasses every expectation. Our child, alongside peers campus-wide are deeply engaged, laser-focused, solutions-driven, know what friendships mean, value community, and shine with optimism. Here, learning fuses with real-world impact, fueled by stellar teachers and a principal who inspires daily self-leadership and a vision implemented of what education could be like when willing to innovate and bring from the best growth mindset lessons. We love Sycamore Community School’s foundation, where students are seen and stretched to their fullest potential to be impactful academically as well as future positive influences.”
“Sycamore Community School has created a balanced learning environment that is rigorous, supportive, and fun. It truly brings its mission statement to life, fostering a community that has helped my children grow into lifelong learners.”
“Our kids have access to such a rich program at Sycamore—the academics, specials, and enrichment opportunities are truly exceptional. Spanish, music with instruments, chess, in-class libraries, hands-on science, and community-based field trips all contribute to a vibrant learning experience. I’ve watched my children learn phonics and reading with genuine joy and pride. Students across grade levels publish their own books in Writers’ Workshop multiple times each year. The program is well-rounded. In addition to developing emotional intelligence, students are encouraged to become independent humans through Let's Grow. Students compost on the yard, participate in interscholastic sports competitions, and take on leadership roles—older students even host weekly morning assemblies and attend debate tournaments. The school offers so many opportunities, and it’s inspiring to see the kids embrace them. Our two children are very different from one another, yet both are able to experience Sycamore fully as themselves. They are confident and empathetic within their classes and among their peers. Because their social and emotional needs are supported, they are able to flourish academically while also exploring their individual interests. No two students are alike, and Sycamore consistently demonstrates its ability to meet students where they are. Our children genuinely love the kids in their classes—one of the real benefits of a small school. You get to know everyone, and you begin to truly care for the people around you. They also feel connected to and supported by the older students, which creates a wonderful sense of continuity across grade levels. The culture is welcoming, with an organic sense of camaraderie and support. Parents show up. They volunteer, support teachers, and enthusiastically participate in events. It truly feels like we share a common goal, and that the school staff and families together form a village—one that supports both our children and the broader school community. The teachers, Mrs. McQueen, and the entire staff are superb. The bar is high, and it’s clear how much thoughtful work happens behind the scenes to ensure students are supported every day. Just as importantly, you can tell they genuinely enjoy what they do. Sycamore values academics, meaningful experiences, and independence. This is a school that is intentionally raising thoughtful, empathetic, and engaged citizens—children who value their communities, care about the health of our planet, and understand the importance of contributing to something larger than themselves. These values aren’t just taught; they’re modeled in how the school operates and reflected in the parent community as well.”
“Our family has been part of this school since the very first year it opened, when my daughter started in kindergarten. Now my son is in first grade, and both of my children are truly happy and thriving. From the beginning, it has been clear that this school and the teachers are something special. As a room parent and volunteer on several committees, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how deeply teachers, staff, and families care about this community. I’ve even helped organize activities outside of school, like family camping trips, which have made the connections between families even stronger. The community that has formed is truly unparalleled. We’re all ‘owl in’ for our kids, and it shows in the way everyone supports one another. I feel incredibly grateful that my children get to learn and grow in a place where they feel known, supported, and excited to spread their wings.”
“Sycamore Community School has been a wonderful place for our family. What I love most about the school is how nurturing all of the teachers and staff are and how much they care about our family and children as people. I also believe the school has very strong values that align with our family values, such as independence, kindness, and resilience. And, it feels very good to know that I am sending my child to school every day at a place where those values are instilled in my child on a daily basis.”
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