The WHPS Advantage
A Journey from Preschool to Fifth Grade
A more personalized, more impactful school experience.
Woodland Hills Private School offers something many families are looking for and few schools truly deliver: individualized academics, meaningful social-emotional growth, and rich enrichment in a school where children are deeply known.
For students who need a more responsive pace, more personal attention, or more room to grow than a conventional classroom often allows, WHPS can be a transformational fit.
More observation, more feedback, more small-group instruction.
Students are known, supported, and challenged with intention.
Students grow from their actual readiness—not arbitrary ceilings.
Goal-setting, self-advocacy, empathy, and confidence are taught on purpose.
What families often notice first
Students are not lost in the middle
Instruction is shaped by each child’s current skills, growth path, and learning profile. Children receive targeted support where needed and appropriately advanced challenge where they are ready.
Growth is academic and personal
WHPS students learn how to reflect, set goals, collaborate, communicate respectfully, and speak up for themselves in healthy, productive ways.
The school day is full and purposeful
Children experience a broad, engaging program that includes STEM, robotics, arts, physical education, Spanish, and science experiences that bring learning to life.
Challenge that fits the child.
WHPS uses research-based learning progressions to understand where students are and what they are ready to learn next. This allows teaching teams to plan more precisely, group more flexibly, and keep children on a continuous path of growth.
For advanced learners, that can mean moving well beyond traditional grade-level expectations in ways that are still thoughtful, joyful, and developmentally responsive.
Children learn to own their growth.
At WHPS, social-emotional learning is woven into daily life. Students build self-awareness, empathy, resilience, respectful communication, and self-advocacy over time.
As they grow, students take increasing ownership through SMART goals and Student-Led Conferences—powerful experiences that help children reflect on progress and articulate what they are working toward next.
A well-rounded program with real depth.
WHPS enrichment is not an afterthought. It is an integral part of the student experience. From STEM and robotics to Spanish, music, art, physical education, and our on-site teaching zoo, students encounter a school day that is active, creative, and intellectually alive.
If you have a current maker room or additional innovation space, this is where to feature it with photos and a short, concrete explanation.
Independent accreditation reinforces what families experience firsthand.
WHPS earned a full six-year WASC accreditation term, with public commendations tied to school culture, social-emotional development, student self-advocacy, and preparation for successful middle-school matriculation.
How WHPS stands apart
How is WHPS different from a strong local public school?
Many local public schools serve children well. WHPS is different in the degree of daily personalization: lower ratios, two-teacher classrooms, flexible small groups, individualized goals, and more freedom to adapt pace and challenge to the student in front of us.
How is WHPS different from a larger private school?
Larger private schools may offer prestige and breadth. WHPS offers a more intimate elementary experience, where each child is more closely known and where academic, social-emotional, and developmental decisions can be made with much more agility.
What kinds of students thrive here?
WHPS is especially strong for students who benefit from a warm, high-touch environment, children who are advanced in one or more areas, and families seeking both strong academics and meaningful personal growth.
See the WHPS difference for yourself.
The best way to understand our program is to visit campus, meet our teachers, and see children learning in a setting designed around growth, confidence, and genuine connection.
Not Just a School—A Place Where Your Child Thrives
Many families start their search with well-known public or private schools, only to realize those programs still rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. At Woodland Hills Private School (WHPS), we do things differently: each child is seen, supported, and continuously challenged within a caring, individualized environment.
Our developmental curriculum is research-based and meets children where they are—keeping advanced learners on an upward path while helping every student build a strong foundation. By blending small-group and personalized instruction, we celebrate individual strengths and adapt to every child’s evolving needs—ensuring ongoing growth from preschool through 5th grade.
What Sets WHPS Apart
At WHPS, education is as unique as your child. We spark a love of learning and foster the confidence to thrive—not just in school, but in life.
Individualized, Child-Centered Approach: Your child is genuinely seen and supported through a low student-teacher ratio and a flexible curriculum that meets—and exceeds—standard benchmarks. Whether they need extra practice or are ready for advanced challenges, we ensure steady growth at every stage.
A Well-Rounded Education: Spanish, Music, Art, and STEM are part of our core, not add-ons. Our on-site teaching zoo, with 75+ animals, provides hands-on science and nurtures responsibility. With year-round enrichment and after-school sports, students explore diverse interests every day.
Seamless Support for Families: WHPS offers everything under one roof—extended care with familiar staff, integrated enrichment, and consistent schedules without early dismissals. It’s a simpler, less hectic experience for busy families and a richer, uninterrupted learning journey for students.
A Connected, Supportive Community: Beyond academics, we nurture empathy, resilience, and character. In our inclusive atmosphere, children feel they belong and learn to navigate challenges respectfully. This focus on social-emotional growth ensures they develop into compassionate, confident learners.
Helping Students Find Their Unique Voice
What Sets WHPS Apart in Voice & Leadership
Leadership & Self-Advocacy: Students practice speaking up for themselves and supporting others, developing lifelong work habits and a lasting sense of purpose.
Goal-Setting & Personal Growth: Through guided reflection, “7 Habits” frameworks, and skill-building, students turn challenges into opportunities and learn to direct their own success.
Respectful Dialogue: By expressing ideas clearly—through writing, discussions, or presentations—students gain confidence in their own views while respecting others.
Conflict Resolution & Community Building: Cooperation and empathy are explicitly taught, creating a caring atmosphere where every child feels they belong.
At WHPS, helping students discover their voice isn’t just a philosophy—it’s part of daily life. Families often notice how comfortably our students talk about their goals, reflect on progress, and tackle challenges with confidence. That’s because we explicitly teach, practice, and integrate effective communication, self-advocacy, and goal-setting at every grade level.
Three Pillars of WHPS: A Lasting Investment in Your Child’s Future
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Enrichment Programs That Inspire
Robust enrichment sparks creativity, fosters innovation, and ignites a lifelong love of learning.
• STEM & Robotics: Engaging projects that cultivate innovative thinking, problem-solving, and real-world collaboration skills.• Science & Nature Center: Our on-site teaching zoo brings ecology, genetics, and animal husbandry to life, fostering responsibility and environmental awareness.
• Visual & Performing Arts & Physical Education: Daily Spanish, Music, Art, and PE instill creative expression, cultural appreciation, and healthy habits—all essential to a well-rounded education.
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A Supportive, Inclusive Community
Social-emotional growth is as crucial as academics, ensuring every child belongs, blossoms, and becomes a respectful, empathetic individual.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Rooted in growth mindset and positive psychology, building resilience and emotional intelligence.• Teacher Presence & Support: A team-teaching model ensures students have familiar educators throughout the day—on the playground and in the classroom.
• Enriching Extended Care: Led by WHPS staff who know your child, so after-school feels like a seamless extension of the school day. It’s not outsourced or waitlisted.
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Preparing Your Child for What’s Next
Through real-world experiences and challenging opportunities, we equip students to thrive confidently in middle school—and well beyond.
• Experiential Learning & Leadership: From overnight STEM trips to team-building exercises, we foster problem-solving, resilience, and confident communication.• 4th & 5th Grade Capstone: A middle school–simulation that provides practice with every detail—from classroom structure to purposeful elements like Cornell Notes and professional email writing—equipping students with the leadership skills, self-advocacy, and academic habits they need to excel far beyond WHPS.
Ready to Learn More?
Discover WHPS firsthand. We invite you to schedule a tour, meet our community, and see learning in action.
Take the first step toward a joyful, impactful educational journey for your child.
Parent, Student & Staff Feedback
During our recent accreditation renewal, feedback from students, parents, and staff affirmed our values and strengths. Read more about the experience of current and alumni families.
Jenni Helj
Accreditation Committee Chair
“The visiting committee commends WHPS on the strength of their community and sense of self-identity. Moreover, they foster the social-emotional development of students through various programs, including Responsive Classroom, and have developed a student body that knows how to advocate for others and their own personal learning and social-emotional needs.”
“The visiting committee interviewed students who genuinely articulated respect for others with differences. They also clearly stated that they felt school was a place where they could be themselves and feel safe.”
“The school prepares children for success in matriculation to middle school. Alumni parents affirmed they felt students were prepared and flourished at the next level. “