To Read our Mission Statement click on the + sign above.
Canyon Charter School is part of the Palisades Charter Complex. The Complex, comprised of Canyon, Palisades, Marquez, Topanga and Kenter Canyon Elementary Schools, and Paul Revere Middle School, is authorized by the State of California to self govern under the guidelines established in the Complex Charter document. There is a copy of the Charter available for public viewing in the school office. Our charter status was renewed in June of 2010 by LAUSD for an additional five years.
As directed by the Charter, the Canyon School Governing Board – a representative body of staff, teachers, administration and parents – reviews school procedures and sets standards and policies for the school. This allows the local school community to pursue an educational direction that responds to the specific needs of our students. In carrying out the academic mission of the Charter, Canyon has developed a unique instructional focus that highlights living in an ecologically sensitive coastline community within the context of a global village.
Canyon's enrollment is open to any student in the L.A. area, allowing the school to build an integrated and diverse student body, representative of the cultural and ethnic diversity of L.A. Any student may apply, and all students attending do so by choice, because they have committed to the Charter's goals.
Read the Full Charter here. Please wait as it downloads as it is a long document.
The Palisades Charter Schools Complex provides for the free, nonsectarian, public education of students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Palisades Charter Schools, as neighborhood schools, give first priority in admission to students who live in its attendance area in the Pacific Palisades community of Los Angeles.
Results of 2010 school Poll by LAUSD
Map of Canyon Charter School Attendance Area
Map of Canyon Campus
REQUIREMENTS OF ENROLLMENT
The Complex Schools also provide for the education of non-neighborhood students who wish to attend based on the District’s Desegregation or Integration policy. This is done through a lottery process.
If the number of students who wish to attend a Palisades Charter School exceeds the school’s capacity or the capacity of students that can be accommodated at any grade level, then the admission of new students is determined by a public random drawing [Education Code 47605(d)(2)(B)]. The random drawing for determining admission priority shall takes into account the admission and enrollment priorities outlined in Canyon's charter.
The random drawing takes place in the spring of each year for admission the next fall at the beginning of the school year. The school puts students not admitted on a waiting list to be notified if space becomes available during the school year.
Please check with the office or on our calendar to find out specific dates and additional information.
As you know, LAUSD is rolling out a new model for analyzing student academic data. In addition to our current system of achievement data collected each year, LAUSD plans to utilize another form of analyzing data using the Academic Growth over Time (AGT) model. In contrast to the Achievement Model, which measures student performance on the CST at a single point in time, the AGT model compares students’ performance to their own prior CST performance over time, factoring in students’ backgrounds and characteristics and other factors that may influence growth. I encourage you to peruse the FAQ page for more information.
Charter schools are public schools that are an enrollment option for all students, including students with disabilities.. If you have questions or concerns regarding the enrollment or admissions practices at this or any charter school, please call LAUSD’s Innovation and Charter School Division at 213-241-2487.
Parent Tours for 2012-2013: 8:30 to 10:00am
Please call the office to sign up for the tour.
January 23
February 17
February 23
Read our Charter in advance if you want to really know some great detail about our school. Be patient as it takes a while to load.
Lottery Dates for 2012-2013:
February 6th : Applications available
March 29th: 4 pm Deadline to submit applications, no exceptions
April 13th, 8:30am: Lottery Drawing in the Library- you do not have to be present.
For more about charter schools and the Palisades Charter School Foundation,click here.
If you are applying for our Kindergarten class and would like more specific information please click here.
The Booster Club is an all volunteer organization at Canyon Charter School that, through various fundraisers throughout the year, is responsible for the many activities and programs that enrich the school's basic curriculum. These programs include: a computer lab and technology instructional program, art, science, physical education, instrumental and vocal music, and a full time librarian. Please visit Canyon Programs to learn in greater detail about the school’s offerings.
All parents and guardians are automatically members and the Booster Club elects board members at the Annual Meeting in May. These board members facilitate the communication and coordination of the fundraisers throughout the year. The Booster Club holds monthly meetings which are announced in advance by postings around campus, the online calendar, and in the Chronicle. Budgetary decisions and expenditures are voted on at the Booster Club meetings, and each family present at the meeting has a vote.
If you are a parent or guardian of a student currently enrolled in Canyon, please visit the Canyon Families Portal for more detailed information about The Booster Club, its officers and committees.
Canyon School began in 1894 in this one-room schoolhouse, which was built on the 300 block of what is now Sycamore Road. The design was a simple, wooden neo-classical structure with a pitched roof and generous front porch supported by four wood columns. Large windows were placed on the south side for maximum daylight, with a solid wall on the north to keep out cold winter winds. The schoolhouse became an important gathering place for the rural Santa Monica Canyon community, and was used for church services, music performances, and dances. The school occupied several pastoral acres of land donated to the school by the Marquez family, heirs to the enormous Mexican land grant known as Rancho Boca de Santa Monica y San Vicente. 
In 1912, in response to real estate development by the Santa Monica Land & Water Company, the schoolhouse was physically moved to a new location on East Channel Road; it had been in its original location for only 18 years. The schoolhouse was relocated to the middle of what is now Amalfi Drive. It faced directly across East Channel to the creek that flows down from upper Rustic Canyon. The schoolhouse stayed in this location for more than 50 years.
From 1954-1959, modern buildings were added to the rapidly growing school. In 1965, in order to make way for the extension of Amalfi Drive, the original schoolhouse was moved for the second time. It was placed in the middle of the new campus, in an undignified location where its front porch faced the side of a bathroom building. In 1966, however, the building was given loving attention when it was renovated as the school library and recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a historic landmark. In 1969 the school community mounted a new bell in its distinctive belfry; the original bell had been missing since 1902.
Finally, in 1997, after 36 years facing the bathrooms, the schoolhouse was lifted off its foundations and move for a third, and perhaps final, time, to its present location. The front porch now faces the whole campus and provides a stage and seating area for school and community events. In 2000, the completion of a multi-year renovation of the library was celebrated by the entire community.
For 115 years, the original schoolhouse building has been at the center of Canyon School and of the Canyon. 2012 will mark its 100th anniversary as the heart of the “new” campus. It has the distinction of being the oldest school building in use by children in Los Angeles County. Beyond its historic stature, the schoolhouse is a beloved symbol of the sustained effort by many generations to create a vibrant place for learning and living, for thousands of children and for the Santa Monica Canyon community.
Canyon Charter is administered by the Governing Board which is comprised of teachers, parents, administrators and other staff. The Governing Board makes decisions regarding curriculum, hiring, budget, enrollment and the day-to-day concerns of school administration. The Board is comprised of nine members: the school’s principal,( Joyce Dara), 4 Teacher representatives, 3 parent representatives (Norman Cowie, Kerry Benderson, Silvana Horn and alternate Libby May) and a classified representative. To contact a parent representative, email govboard@canyoncharter.com. Governing Board meetings are held monthly and parents, guardians and the public are encouraged to attend. At the meetings, each Governing Board Committee presents the results of the committee meetings which occur in the prior week and any decision facing the board is voted on at that time.
As Canyon's official policy-making organization, the Governing Board makes decisions on every new program or activity at the school. Three voting members represent the parent body. The parents elect these members who serve two year terms.
The monthly meetings of the Governing Board are open to the public. All parents and guardians are welcome at the meetings, which are usually held once a month on Thursday afternoons. If you want to place an item on the agenda, have a concern or idea you wish to make known to the Board, contact one of the three parent representatives. All parents are eligible to run for an elected position on the Board. Elections are held in May.
The monthly Governing Board meeting time and date are posted on the online calendar and announced in the Chronicle.
If you are a parent or guardian of a student currently enrolled in Canyon, please visit the Canyon Families Portal for more detailed information about the Governing Board and its committees.
TEACHER'S ASSISTANT
Part Time
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Assist elementary level teacher (k-5) with classroom and play yard duties including but not limited to reviewing and correcting students class work in all aspects of study, assisting individual students with class work, assist teacher with project and course work preparation, supervising students on the play yard, supporting and enforcing school rules and procedures, helping students to productively resolve conflicts.
Send your resume to: hiring@canyoncharter.com
Click on the plus sign to see some of the questions that have been asked at Canyon along with answers.
If you have a question try the search feature on this site first and if your question is still not answered then send an email to: FAQ@canyoncharter.com and someone will try to get back to you. We may post your question for future visitors.
Canyon and LAUSD Forms ONLINE Page
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (LAUSD)
Canyon's Official School Profile on LAUSD's site.
Safe School Plan Vol 2 - rev. 6-2011
Canyon's Discipline Plan and Code of Conduct
California State Education Standards
California's Standardized Testing and Reporting
Santa Monica Public Library
Programs for Children:www.smplkids.org
California Arts and Crafts Museum
Lifelong Learning Community
For a calendar of events in Santa Monica or to sign up for monthly e-mails
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