Manzanita School, a WASC-accredited K-12 independent college preparatory school in Topanga Canyon, has announced that admissions remain open for the Fall 2026-27 academic year. Prospective families can submit an inquiry or application through the school's admissions portal, accessible via the Manzanita website. This announcement comes as the school continues to attract attention for its distinctive approach to education, which integrates rigorous academics with immersive outdoor experiences.
Founded in 2013, Manzanita is among the college preparatory schools in California with an outdoor curriculum that challenges traditional educational paradigms. The 21-acre Big Rock Ranch campus, nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, blends academic instruction with land stewardship and the study of local ecology. The school describes its environment as "nature's most complex science lab," providing students with a unique backdrop for learning.
The curriculum is organized into four cohorts: Seeds (Forest Kindergarten through second grade), Roots (third through fifth), Trunk (sixth through eighth), and Branches (ninth through twelfth). Beginning in third grade, students experience a balanced schedule of three days of traditional classroom instruction, known as "Owl Days," and two days of experiential learning on the land, called "Hawk Days." This model is designed to foster whole child development, integrating academic, social, and emotional growth.
Manzanita offers a wide range of programs, including English Language Arts, Core Science-Humanities, Mathematics, The Arts, Nature Connection, Stewardship, and Expeditionary Learning. All students participate in overnight expeditions that align with their core curriculum. Destinations for lower and middle school students include the Manzanita campus, Sycamore Canyon Campground, Quail Springs Permaculture Farm, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Cottonwood Lakes area of the John Muir Wilderness.
A key component of the school's environmental education is the Living Classroom, a working permaculture farm where students engage in animal care and regenerative agriculture. Organic produce from the farm is used in the school's lunch and snack programs, providing students with a tangible connection to their food and the environment.
Launched in Fall 2021, the Forest Kindergarten program is conducted entirely outdoors, based on research indicating that nature immersion supports young children's development of confidence, curiosity, and interpersonal skills. This program is aligned with the school's accredited nature immersion programs for older grades, ensuring a cohesive educational philosophy from kindergarten through high school.
Class sizes are intentionally small, with approximately 12 to 14 students in the Seeds program and about 14 in older grades, allowing for personalized attention. The school day begins at 8:30 a.m. for all grades. A parent quoted on the school's website notes, "Manzanita has provided the ideal educational environment for our children, each of whom has different learning styles and needs. We appreciate the depth of their studies, which serves to foster big-picture thinking and encourages them to ask important questions about the world around them."
As the school opens admissions for the upcoming academic year, it continues to offer a unique alternative for families seeking an education that emphasizes environmental stewardship and holistic development. For more information, interested families can visit the Manzanita School website.
