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.