Gillispie School

Gillispie School Independent elementary and pre-school in La Jolla, CA. Inspiring joyous learners Age 2 - Grade 6. At Gillispie, we believe education is a shared journey.

Nestled in the heart of La Jolla, Gillispie School is a premier independent school serving early childhood, Pre-K, and Kindergarten through Grade 6 students. Our vibrant campus and warm community provide the ideal setting for joyful, purposeful learning. Our child-centered approach honors the pace of childhood while engaging students in a rigorous academic program that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Guided by passionate, experienced educators, students grow not only as scholars but as individuals. We place a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, cultivating empathy, character, and openness to diverse perspectives. In partnership with families, we strive to raise confident communicators, thoughtful global citizens, and independent problem-solvers—children who love learning and are ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.

✨ A special morning for you and your little explorer.Come spend the morning playing, moving, creating, and discovering t...
09/09/2026

✨ A special morning for you and your little explorer.

Come spend the morning playing, moving, creating, and discovering together at Gillispie!

Designed for toddlers ages 20–36 months and their grown-ups, Mini Explorers Club offers two unique classes led by early childhood expert Dr. Mindy Coates Smith:

💙 Playful Art & Discovery
Wednesdays | Sept. 23–Nov. 18
9:00–10:30 a.m.

🧡 Creative Movement
Thursdays | Sept. 24–Nov. 19
9:00–9:45 a.m.

From painting, light, water, and sensory play, to music, dancing, movement, and imaginative play, each class gives little ones the freedom to explore—and grown-ups the chance to slow down, join in, and enjoy the experience right alongside them.

Fall registration is now open! Space is limited and first-come, first-served.

🔗 Learn more and register through the link in our bio.

Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year! ☀️ Wishing our Gillispie families a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday week...
09/04/2026

Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year! ☀️ Wishing our Gillispie families a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday weekend. See you Tuesday! 💙🧡

Photo credit: Coach Streimer

Gillispie School, La Jolla Independent School, La Jolla Preschool, La Jolla Elementary School

🍻🧀🍷 Gillispie parents—it’s time to mix, mingle, & toast the new school year! Tickets are going fast, don’t miss out!Brew...
09/02/2026

🍻🧀🍷 Gillispie parents—it’s time to mix, mingle, & toast the new school year! Tickets are going fast, don’t miss out!

Brews, Bites & Vines
📅 Thu, Sept 10 | 🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Pirtle Field, Gillispie Campus

✨ Local sips & bites
✨ Friends old & new
✨ A fun evening of laughter & community

💙🧡Can’t make it? Support with a donation!

An immense thank you to our local partners!

Barley & Sword Brewing Company
Ken Chalmers
Blue Whale
Calico Cidery
Deeply Nourished
Jaybird Superette
Killer Whale Creamery
LJ Crafted Wines
PARADISAEA ℠
Pepino
Piazza1909
PopUp Bagels
The Promiscuous Fork
PUESTO
roppongi_lajolla
San Diego Distillery
SKIPSTONE
Smallgoods Cheese Shop & Cafe

TNT Q and Catering

08/12/2026

📚✏️🎒 Gillispie, are you ready?! We’ve been busy getting ready for you to come back to school! Enjoy your last days of summer — we can’t wait to see you! ☀️

Reminders:
➡️ Don’t forget to turn in your back-to-school forms.

➡️ Tues., Aug. 18, 8:20 a.m. – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL COFFEE (“Woohoo/Boohoo” Event) Join us for coffee after drop-off on the first day of school!

➡️ Thurs., Sept. 3, 5:30 p.m. – BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Meet the teachers, learn about classroom programs and school-year updates, and hear from school leadership.

➡️ Thurs., Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. – BREWS, BITES, & VINES Join us for our Fall Parent Social featuring local foods, beer, and wine. Adults only. Link to tickets is on our Current Families web page. Password required.

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre K, Back to School

07/31/2026

⚡️ Creativity was in full swing at our Minds in Motion Maker Camp and Maker Madness Invention Studio!

From sawing and hammering to gluing, designing, and testing, our young makers (Grades 3–6) transformed simple materials into one-of-a-kind creations and inventions! 🛠️ Every project challenged them to think creatively, solve problems, and bring big ideas to life.

We loved watching their imaginations become reality.💡🙌

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre K, San Diego Summer Camp, Maker Space Kids, Future Inventors

07/29/2026

Big splashes. Brave jumps. New skills. Endless smiles. 😄

Our Super Swimmers in Grades K–6 have been spending their afternoons at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex, just down the street from Gillispie. There, expert swim coaches help them build confidence in the water. Then it’s time for free swim, diving board fun, and making the most of every sunny afternoon. 💦 ☀️

Here’s to summer afternoons at the pool!💙

Coggan Family Aquatic Complex

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre-K, San Diego Summer Camp, La Jolla

Looking for your child’s next great summer read? 📚Ms. L., Gillispie’s librarian, has curated summer reading lists for ev...
07/22/2026

Looking for your child’s next great summer read? 📚

Ms. L., Gillispie’s librarian, has curated summer reading lists for every age. You’ll find the lists on our blog, at https://www.gillispie.org/the-best-part-of-reading/.

While you’re there, you’ll discover one simple and fun way to make storytime even more meaningful.

✨ Hint: It starts after the last page is turned!

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre-K, Summer Reading

🐢🌼 Sometimes the best summer adventures happen when we slow down.Our Summer Explorers love spending time with Minnie, Gi...
07/10/2026

🐢🌼 Sometimes the best summer adventures happen when we slow down.

Our Summer Explorers love spending time with Minnie, Gillispie’s resident tortoise. As they feed him flowers, observe his movements, and learn how to care for him, they’re building curiosity, empathy, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

Nestled in the heart of La Jolla, our campus offers children a place to explore, wonder, and discover the joy of nature every day.

This is what summer is all about. 💚☀️

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre-K, San Diego Summer Camp

07/09/2026

🚤 Innovation in motion! In SparkLab (Grades 3–6), summer explorers put their engineering skills to the test! They designed boats and used paper plates to create wind power, racing them through two water channels.

This hands-on STEAM camp challenged students to design, build, test, and improve their boats while exploring force, motion, and engineering. Through team work and experimentation, our explorers discovered that every challenge is an opportunity to innovate and that perseverance pays off!✨

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre-K, San Diego Summer Camp

☀️ This is what summer is all about! From exciting field games and team challenges in Fun on the Field to building skill...
07/02/2026

☀️ This is what summer is all about! From exciting field games and team challenges in Fun on the Field to building skills and playing favorite sports in Super Sports Camp, our campers have been staying active, making friends, and having a blast. ⚽🏀🏈

Designed for students in Grades 1–6, these action-packed camps encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, and plenty of outdoor fun. We love seeing our students enjoy every moment of summer! 💙🧡

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Pre-K, San Diego Summer Camp

Address

7380 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA
92037

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3pm
Tuesday 8am - 3pm
Wednesday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 3pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

Telephone

+18584593773

Website

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