Our Mission
Sierra Canyon School is an academically excellent, college preparatory school committed to an empowering environment in which students realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual, and physical promise. We are defined by an energized, attentive, and diverse student-teacher culture. Sierra Canyon School is a special place to grow for the challenges of a fast-changing world.
Our Core Values
Sierra Canyon School embraces academic and personal excellence, wherein each student is treated as an individual and has the opportunity to strive and attain his or her best. Excellence is not a single standard held aloft, but rather something to be measured from within each member of the community and celebrated by all.
Students develop a strong moral base and ethical understanding as members of a principled learning community. They are encouraged to act with honesty, respect, and compassion.
Close, meaningful student-faculty relationships further both the intellectual pursuits and the process of personal development. A strong sense of community prevails, along with an understanding of the commitments and responsibilities such a community requires from each individual in order to thrive.
Students are given increasing independence and responsibility for their own learning in order to foster intellectual curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Consequently, they have many opportunities to grow and thrive both as individuals and as leaders within the school community.
Academic and extracurricular programs encourage the broadening of student perspectives and provide an exposure to both the surrounding community and the wider world. Experiential learning opportunities form a healthy, challenging part of Sierra Canyon School's program.
Our Philosophy
The relationship between teacher and student is at the heart of every excellent academic institution. Sierra Canyon School cultivates this relationship by providing a dynamic learning environment that facilitates positive growth among all members of the school community. Sierra Canyon School students advance their knowledge through thoughtful discussion and the exploration of ideas. At its core, Sierra Canyon School develops students who are as keen to realize their potential as their teachers are to inspire it.
Our History
Sierra Canyon Day Camp was established by Founders Mick Horwitz and Howard Wang. The camps overwhelming success becomes the impetus for the creation of the Sierra Canyon Elementary School.
Sierra Canyon Elementary School began with 150 students, spanning Kindergarten through 6th Grade.
The School grew to prominence, serving nearly 700 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Parents began to lobby for a high school.
After a nationwide search, Jim Skrumbis was appointed as the founding Head of School.
In 2005, the Upper School was opened, and a stunning, progressive 7th through 12th Grade campus was built. The following year our two schools merged and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Sierra Canyon School graduated its first senior class—the Class of 2009.
Today
With a foundation of Learning forward, Sierra Canyon School is poised to continue providing an exceptional educational experience for its students, as it prepares them to be the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.