Learn more about CEE

CEE is a vibrant hub of lifelong learning and diverse community for students, families, and faculty and staff.

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  • 7:1

    At CEE, students enjoy individual attention and small class sizes. Our team teaching model allows for at least two lead teachers per classroom, in addition to associate and specialist teachers. EC students enjoy at 7:1 ratio; Elementary students, 15:1.
  • 540

    Number of full-time students enrolled at The Center. Over 300 families call CEE home, from Toddler through sixth grade!
  • 1939

    Year of our founding as a playgroup in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. In 1945, The Center (then called The School for Nursery Years) moved to its current site on Alfred Street. Learn more.

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  • 56%

    Celebrating and championing diversity of all kinds is central to our mission, and 56% of our students are students of color. Center families represent diversity in family makeup, ethnic background, socio-economic status, and geographical location, too.

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  • 34

    Number of community Assemblies each year. Elementary students, parents, and teachers enjoy a weekly community Assembly every Friday morning. During Assemblies, we celebrate classroom activities, have a mindful moment, recognize special events and holidays, and honor the week's birthdays!

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  • 60

    Students per Elementary grade. Each classroom of 30 students is led by at least two lead teachers. The core curriculum spirals throughout the Elementary Program, introducing, reinforcing, and reintroducing concepts with developmentally appropriate increasing levels of rigor in Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies/Social Justice, and Science.

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  • 1:1

    Student to laptop ratio for grades 4-6. Teachers integrate technology thoughtfully throughout the academic program. In Upper Elementary, students use laptop computers to create work, submit assignments, conduct research, and engage in creative projects.

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  • Service

    Classrooms engage in Service Learning projects integrated with the curriculum throughout the year, in addition to regular community service opportunities. Each grade makes Sandwiches for the Hungry, participates in food and item drives, and participates in the Whole School Day of Service each spring.

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  • Our Campus

    Two newer main school buildings connect to an existing building to create a single 100,000 SF building housing 540 students and 120 faculty and staff. The final phase of the Campus Enhancement Plan was completed with the opening of the new turf playfield in 2020, following new learning and community spaces opening in 2018 and 2019. Our campus is on 2.3 acres of land in West Hollywood, where our school has been located since 1945!

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  • Art

    Art is woven into the daily Early Childhood curriculum at CEE, as students experiment with materials and expressing themselves. Starting in Kindergarten, Elementary students enjoy 2-3 studio art classes per week. Art is prevalent all over campus!
  • Music

    From musical play in Toddlers through advanced vocal and instrument instruction, CEE students enjoy a comprehensive music education. Voluntary choirs are available to older students.
  • Debate

    CEE offers a robust Debate Team program for elementary students. Children practice forming arguments, research, and public speaking in preparation for competitive tournaments. CEE has taken home the national prize several times!
  • Affinity Groups

    Parent-led affinity groups provide a forum to honor family history, build connections, and share traditions with the broader Center community. Popular annual events like Lunar New Year, Día de Los Muertos, and Diwali bring everyone together to celebrate and learn! The Anti-Racism Interest Group facilitates discussions and education in conjunction with community affinity groups.

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  • Summer Programs

    Summer at The Center provides an opportunity for rising first through sixth graders to learn and play in areas outside of the regular curriculum. Camp Adventure classes include Arts, Science, Tech & Inventions, Architecture, Cooking, Design, Crafts, Drama, Sports, and lots more! Camp SHAKE offers basketball and sports camps each summer at CEE for rising Kindergarteners through 8th graders. These programs are open to the public.

    The Center’s Early Childhood Transition Program for rising EC1, EC2, and Kindergarten children provides a chance for students to learn classroom routines and explore school through stories, art, reading, music, and group times in preparation for a smooth transition back to school in September.

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  • Community Engagement and Education

    Lifelong learning is a core tenant of The Center’s philosophy. The CEE community engages in regular discussions with experts in a range of subjects including parenting, childhood development, social justice and equity, health and wellness, education, and more.
  • Visiting Creators

    Throughout the year, children's authors, artists, and leading innovators visit campus to meet with students, share their work, and host interactive learning experiences.
  • A Cappella Choir

    CEE’s A Cappella Choir is nationally known, winning gold several years in the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in the middle school competition. The A Cappella Choir also performs at the Winter Sing, Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day, and other special events.
  • Alumni

    Center alumni go on to enjoy studies and careers in diverse fields all over the world! Alumni stay connected with The Center through regular Alumni Council meetings, service opportunities, and special events on campus.
  • Grandparents

    Grandparents are an integral part of The Center’s community, participating in an active Grandparents’ Council, attending special events, and volunteering on campus. Each May, the community comes together to celebrate Grandparents’ Day. We love our CEE Grandparents and Grandfriends!
The Center for Early Education, a socio-economically and culturally diverse independent school for children, toddlers through grade six, strives to graduate students who are joyful, resilient, lifelong learners. The Center embraces a philosophy of education that combines a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with an increasingly challenging academic program that addresses the developmental needs of each child.