College Preparatory School in Los Angeles, CA

Pilgrim School:
Pilgrim School, a division of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, is an ethnically and culturally diverse, independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school in Wilshire Center for students in preschool through to the twelfth grade. We are located approximately 3 - 4 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, CA. Pilgrim School offers a traditional college preparatory curriculum, emphasizing the mastery of fundamental skills and critical thinking at all levels, from preschool through high school. Founded in 1958, our school attracts a student body as varied as the city's population. Our rigorous curriculum begins in preschool and grows increasingly demanding through to grade 12.

Education Programs:
Our philosophy of education is traditional yet innovative. Our students focus on essential knowledge and skills necessary for success, and 100% of our students go to the best in higher education.

- Preschool Program:
A member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and the CAEYC (the California Association for the Education of Young People), our preschool adheres to a developmentally appropriate method of teaching. The program is applied in an age-appropriate manner and customized to the child’s level of development: socially, physically, cognitively, emotionally, and creatively.

We provide a safe and nurturing environment that is stimulating and supportive to the growth of our students. It is through art, creative expression, and group projects that the students of the Pilgrim Preschool learn most successfully.

- Junior Kindergarten Program:
We believe that developmental readiness is crucial to success in school. Just as adults do not decide when children will crawl or walk, we do not determine when they are ready to read or write. Therefore, we offer both Junior and Academic Kindergarten programs to give our students a successful start in school. Acting as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten provides our students with an extra year to develop before beginning our challenging academic program.

- Elementary Program:
Academic Testing:
The school has a planned testing program to identify academic strengths and areas where improvement can be achieved.  In this way, the school and students can improve planning for the students’ education.  Each student in grades two through nine take standardized tests. Pilgrim uses the ERB- The Comprehensive Testing Program of the Educational Records Bureau.

Curriculum:
The curriculum of any school is the ‘plan’ of what students will be taught.  At Pilgrim, beginning at an early age, our curriculum is designed around subjects which will prepare students for entering college or university.  In addition to core subjects including mathematics, English, reading, composition, spelling, science, and geography or history, Pilgrim also teaches phonics beginning in Kindergarten, as well as penmanship, physical education, music, and art. The curriculum is fully integrated with our library and technology programs. Our elementary program provides a solid foundation needed for success in higher education.

- Secondary Program:
As a college preparatory school located in California, Pilgrim’s graduation requirements are based on the minimum admission requirements set forth by the University of California system. As an independent school with a strong academic tradition, Pilgrim’s requirements may extend beyond these minimum guidelines. The following are minimum requirements for graduation at Pilgrim. Students must earn passing grades in each of the required courses.  Additionally, all students are required to carry a minimum of 7 courses each year.  Most students take eight.

* Academic subjects include:  English, Math, Science, History, Humanities, World Languages, Fine Arts & Physical Education

Additionally:
- Athletics program
- ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) program
- Chapel program
- After-school enrichment classes
- Extra-curricular activities

Summer School Program:
This year, we are offering over unique array of classes for elementary through high school students, with our flexible six-week academic and athletic summer programs.  In addition, students can experience a week of old fashioned sleep-away camp in a safe, fun-filled environment at our 270-acre Cedar Lake Camp.