A Living Education at Big Rock
Manzanita School and Institute is a WASC-accredited K-12 independent college preparatory school in the Santa Monica mountains.
Founded in 2014, Manzanita challenges educational paradigms and nurtures the whole child through its unique indoor-outdoor curriculum blending rigorous academics, land stewardship (including a working organic farm), and the study of local ecology on its 21-acre campus and the protected lands that surround it.
Manzanita sits at the foot of wild chaparral, a doorway into nature’s most complex science lab. The campus is also a rich historical landscape, an artist’s studio, a naturalist’s field guide, and a geologist’s dream. The huge rock faces overlooking our school elicit a sense of wonder at the magnificent possibilities of life and learning.
To learn more about our unique approach to academics, visit our Curriculum page.
admissions is open for the Fall 2025-26
click here to submit an inquiry or apply.
Application Deadline Extended - January 15th, 2025!
Educating for life
spectacular setting
Big Rock Ranch, our 21-acre campus, offers a rich sensory environment that nurtures students’ intellectual curiosity and well-being. Native flora, birdsong, and an extensive trail system foster deep hands-on learning. Classroom spaces and arts and sporting facilities surround Shady Oaks, our village green.
experiential academics
Our uniquely structured indoor-outdoor curriculum draws on leading-edge pedagogical theory and practice, combining interdisciplinary learning with the immersive study of local ecology in a welcoming, mentor-rich community. Students develop the critical thinking skills and interpersonal competence to prepare for college and beyond.
farm to table
A cornerstone of the Manzanita experience is our meal program. Organic, locally sourced lunches and snacks even incorporate produce from our working permaculture farm, known as the Living Classroom. Students cultivate resilience and collective responsibility through land stewardship activities and animal care.
“Manzanita has provided the ideal educational environment for our children, each of whom has different learning styles and needs. We appreciate the depth of their studies, which serves to foster big-picture thinking and encourages them to ask important questions about the world around them.”
— Current Manzanita School Parent —