Private Middle School Near Tarzana Encino Reseda Woodland Hills

Woodcrest School offers an accredited private middle school in Tarzana CA near Encino, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, and Woodland Hills in San Fernando Valley CA. Woodcrest Middle School sets high expectations of school wide learning with outcomes that provide our students with a strong traditional curriculum that is both challenging and creative.  It is our goal to prepare students to be independent, problem-solving learners who can advocate for him/herself and become successful contributing citizens in the 21st century.  Our diverse population is nurtured through our Sanford Harmony program of social and emotional learning.  Small class size provides for each student to receive the guidance and support of their specialist teachers.  Curriculum is built around core subjects of English, mathematics, science, history, foreign language, and the arts.  Organizational skills and study habits are emphasized and all students perform a designated number of service hours before entering high school.

Language Arts
Math
Social Studies

A comprehensive study of vocabulary, grammar, literature and writing.  Novels include Of Mice and Men, The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird, and works by Shakespeare.  The writing process is explored through analytical papers, narratives, journals, expository paragraphs and persuasive essays.  The Accelerated Reading and Star Testing programs are utilized as measurable comprehension programs for individual student reading practice.

ALEKS, a web-based mathematics program, provides initial assessment, individualized pacing and differentiated instruction for our students.  Sixth grade math is a continuation of operations, percentages, and problem solving.  Pre-Algebra is taught in seventh grade and covers topics such as inequalities, number equations, polynomials, graphs, radicals, and geometry.  Algebra I is taught in 8th grade with a course outline of quadratics, linear equations, graphing, factoring, and polynomial computation.

The social studies department’s goal is to enable students to recognize the complexities of our world and appreciate the diversity of our citizens.  Coursework covers ancient world history, world history, and U.S. History to 1877.

Library
Technology
Science

Library class is visited once a week with instruction facilitated by our librarian. Students identify sections of the library that includes picture books, easy reader, fiction, nonfiction, and research books. They develop a love for reading by finding biographies, autobiographies, mysteries, fairytales, and folktales.

Technology on the middle level provides for a one to one laptop program.  Digital leadership is practiced, on-line tutorials for independent learning, as well as using technology as an organizational skill with bookmarks, Google Drive and shared folders are used.  Building and programming a robot to complete tasks are learned in the elective course.

The science curriculum is set to support ideas in science, technology, and engineering.  Students are instructed in earth, life, and physical science by reading informational texts and asking questions with practices listed in California Next Generation Science Standards.  Students engage in hands-on lab experiments, formulate, and test hypotheses.

We are fortunate at Woodcrest School to have an actively involved group of parents who care deeply for their children’s education. All parents are encouraged to take on leadership opportunities as well as attend Parent Organization events.

The Parent Organization is comprised of parent volunteers who help support the school through fundraising activities, as well as assist in a variety of school services and share many responsibilities, including:

• Sponsorship of Annual Teacher Appreciation Lunch
• Coordination of safety programs
• Support of the garden
• Participation in holiday celebrations and classroom trips
• Sale of uniforms
• Volunteering in classroom
• Lectures by distinguished educators and psychologists

At Woodcrest School we place emphasis on working together to help our local community. Parents, students, faculty, alumni, and friends get together throughout the year to participate in many important ways to raise awareness, raise money, and most importantly to show how the power of many can truly make a difference in the world.

Over the past 45 years, Woodcrest alumni have gone on to amazing careers, top colleges and universities, and impressive internships. The alumni of Woodcrest School come back year after year to participate in opportunities to pass down experiences shared after graduation. Our school is extremely lucky to have such a supportive network of alumni and supportive parents.