Pacific Oaks Children’s School has long been a pioneer in early childhood education.
The school's roots date back to 1906, when the director of the Polytechnic School Kindergarten built La Loma House as a residential home for orphaned children. Soon after, California House was added, and a kindergarten program and primary school were established to meet the educational needs of the children. Today, both La Loma and California Houses serve as active classrooms at Pacific Oaks.
In 1945, seven Quaker families purchased the school with a vision to develop an educational approach grounded in the values of equality, simplicity, nonviolence, and community. From this vision, Pacific Oaks Friends School was born. These founding values continue to be deeply rooted in the culture and philosophy of Pacific Oaks Children’s School.
More than a century has passed since the construction of La Loma House, yet Pacific Oaks has never lost its spirit of innovation. The school exemplifies the belief that education is a lifelong journey—one that begins in childhood with joy and confidence.
This progressive approach to early childhood education—and the need to prepare and inspire future educators—led to the founding of Pacific Oaks College in 1959. Today, the college remains dedicated to the core principles on which it was established: inclusion, social justice, and the inherent value of every individual.
Pacific Oaks College is renowned for providing students with a transformative educational experience—one that fosters self-exploration and the realization of their unique strengths and gifts. A respected leader in early childhood education, the college also offers expanded programs in human development, counseling, and teacher credentialing. It remains a nonprofit, accredited institution of higher learning.