Situated in Topanga`s Santa Monica Mountains, Manzanita is an independent, college-preparatory, WASC-accredited school serving children in grades Forest Kindergarten through 12th.
More than a school, Manzanita was founded in 2013 as a community of educators, students and parents dedicated to bringing positive change to the world through teaching the wisdom from the beginning of human history through to the innovations of our modern times.
Manzanita is a school for today inspired by timeless ideas.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 120 students
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Manzanita School & Institute ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Year Founded
2013
Student Body
Total Students
120 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
32%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
50%
Average Class Size
14 students
Number of AP Courses
1 course
Average SAT score
1100
(Out of 1600)
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Dec. 15 / Jan. 15
Tuition Notes
Tuition rates start at $36,300 for K-2. $34,571 1-2nd grade. $42,549 3-8th grade. $45,952 6-8th grade and $47,292 for 9-12th grade. Tuition includes the meal program.
% on Financial Aid
50%
Admissions Director
Eva Sanchez-Calixtro
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
10 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
4 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
After School Program: Oak Tree Club (Aerial Arts, KinFlow, Basketball & Swimming Classes, Supervised Child Care)
Arts and Music Programs:
Ceramics & Aerial ArtsMusic Classes (i.e. Instruments & Choir)
Performing & Visual Arts
School Notes
- Manzanita's model is guided by mentorship and grounded by deep connection with nature to unlock the intrinsic gifts within our adolescents. At Manzanita, the symbiotic approach to learning is practiced. By offering a cross-disciplinary curriculum and blending academic subjects with spending considerable time in our "outdoor classroom" and the arts, our students gain lasting and resonant knowledge and capacities to become empowered, free-thinking adults.
- Every young person has something unique to offer the world that must be awakened in their adolescence; Manzanita is committed to guide each child meaningfully to discover and develop their personal gift.
- Manzanita's program is informed by the following SIX
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
- INTRINSIC GIFT: In a true mentoring relationship, based on connection and questioning, the unique genius within a young person is consistently awakiening and growing.
- MENTORING RELATIONSIHPS: Each connective moment between a mentor and a young person represenets a vital link between ancestors and future generations.
- SYMBIOTIC EDUCATION: Symbiotic Learning is a dynamic, instructional model that interweaves the connections of our science and humanities curriculum.
- COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: When the gift in a young person awakens, she considers the whole and applies herself passionately in service to other and the world.
- INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE: The full expression of one's gift requiqres interpersonal competence in interacting with others.
- RIGOROUS EFFORT: When one's gift is leveraged with regor, it will grow in purpose and capacity to effect positive growth.
- The Guiding Principles are actively supported by our commitment to engage students to purposefully connect with Nature as well as to emphasize the importance of teaching Social Emotional Learning. Both are vital to creating a healthy and safe learning environment.
- Healthy farm-to-table and locally-sourced snack and lunch program.
- EXPEDITIONARY PROGRAM- Multi-day camping and back-packing trips to locations of natural and cultural interest relevant to classroom curriculum
- Our graduates have a 100% college aceeptance rate, most receiving robust scholarships.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Manzanita School & Institute often compared to?
Manzanita School & Institute is often viewed alongside schools like Sycamore School by visitors of our site.
What sports does Manzanita School & Institute offer?
Manzanita School & Institute offers 10 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball. Manzanita School & Institute is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Manzanita School & Institute?
The application deadline for Manzanita School & Institute is Dec. 15 / Jan. 15.
In what neighborhood is Manzanita School & Institute located?
Manzanita School & Institute is located in the Old Topanga neighborhood of Topanga, CA.
Nearby Private Schools
Popular comparisons: Manzanita School & Institute vs. Sycamore School
The nearest high school and elementary school to Manzanita School & Institute is Viewpoint School (1.7 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Montessori Of Calabasas (2.4 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Viewpoint School
(2)
23620 Mulholland Hwy
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 591-6580
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 591-6580
1.7 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,159 student Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Montessori Of Calabasas
Montessori School
4277 Old Topanga Canyon Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-0232
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-0232
2.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 95 students
22300 Mulholland Drive
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 346-8812
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 346-8812
2.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 343 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 28 Tuition listed
Mesivta Of Greater Los Angeles
All-boys | Special Program Emphasis (Jewish)
25115 Mureau Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 876-0550
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 876-0550
3.5 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students
Mulholland Montessori Preschool
Daycare / Preschool
23010 Ventura Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 835-9271
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 835-9271
3.7 miles
Gr: NS-K | 40 students
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