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7380 Girard Avenue, La Jolla

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Gillispie School / Our School / At a Glance
Gillispie at a Glance

Gillispie is a Learning Village in the Village of La Jolla

Our 2.33 acre urban campus is located in the village of La Jolla, encompassing an Early Childhood center with an exploratory playground; a stand-alone cottage for toddlers; a dedicated building for our Kindergarten classes; a two-story elementary building connected to a gymnasium; an outdoor sport court and a sports field; and two historical bungalows which serve as an art bungalow and a Early Childhood art atelier, connected by a sustainable learning garden.

In the summer of 2021, Gillispie opened its Sandbox, a 7,000 square-foot building adjacent to our current campus. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, this bright and colorful space houses our very first theater and multi-purpose space, a music room, library and media center, science classroom, indoor/outdoor makerspace, teaching kitchen, and an outdoor shaded student lunch area.

The Sandbox has transformed the quality of the student experience, supporting each child’s unique journey and growth by empowering students to dream big, think creatively, work collaboratively, and pursue their passions.

Gillispie was established in 1933 by La Jolla residents Dr. Samuel and Ada Gillispie. With support from the La Jolla Kiwanis Club and the community at large, Gillispie grew from a small daycare center for low-income parents to a vibrant, diverse educational community that now serves children age two through Grade 6. It was incorporated as a school in 1953.

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Average Class Size

Students never get lost in the numbers. Low student/teacher ratios and small class sizes help ensure that we are focusing on the needs of each child.

2.33
Acre Urban Campus

A learning village that inspires collaboration and creativity. Facilities include indoor and outdoor learning spaces, an art atelier and bungalow, a science and design lab, library and media center, sports field, music room, theater and multi-purpose space, teaching kitchen, and more!

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Specialty Classes

In addition to the core curriculum, Gillispie offers 6 specialty classes; Science and Sustainability, Media Literacy, Art, Music, Spanish, and P.E.

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Percent Diverse

Gillispie has, on average, 40% students of color, and our families represent an array of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

300
Number of Students

Gillispie enrolls approximately 300 students each year. Students are supported by a diverse community of peers and teachers, while benefiting from small class sizes and individualized attention.

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Celebrating 70 Years of Gillispie!

Gillispie School was established in 1953, building on our founding roots as a small cottage that served hot meals to the underprivileged children in La Jolla during the lean years of the Great Depression.

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15 Service Projects

On average, graduating students have participated in 15 meaningful service projects through the school with organizations like the San Diego Blood Bank and Feeding San Diego.

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$600,000 offered in Financial Aid

Last year, Gillispie offered approximately $600,000 in Financial Assistance to help families afford a Gillispie education.

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