Who We Are
We hear the same questions from families all the time, and we love every one of them. Is this the right fit for my child? Will they feel safe here? Will they be truly known and cared for? Will they love coming to school each day? At Phoenix Ranch School, our answer to all of those questions is yes, and we can show you exactly why. Families in Simi Valley, California, have been choosing Phoenix Ranch since 1987, not just for what we teach, but for how your child feels when they walk through our doors every morning. This is a place where your little one is welcomed by name, encouraged to ask the big questions, and given the time and space to grow into exactly who they are meant to be.
Parent Reviews
A.D.
August 18, 2026
The teachers and admin are incredibly supportive and accommodating. They have made us feel comfortable and excited to start at our new school. I also appreciate the daily photos the teachers post on ProCare so family can see what the kids are doing and learning throughout the day.
S.B.
August 18, 2026
I just really appreciate that I feel like every staff member I speak to actually cares. I appreciate the attention to detail with curriculum, fun activities, and individual student care.
J.B.
August 18, 2026
The teachers!
D.W.
August 5, 2026
Amazing staff and all the activities
Our Story
Established in 1987, Phoenix Ranch School, a private school located in Simi Valley, CA, was built on the single conviction that every child deserves an education as unique as they are. Nearly four decades later, that conviction has never wavered. We have grown into one of the most trusted private schools in the region for children from infancy to 6th grade, and our commitment to developing the whole child, academically, emotionally, socially, and creatively, remains the heartbeat of everything we do.
Over the years, families have come back to us with their second children, their third children, and sometimes even their grandchildren. This kind of loyalty tells us something we feel every single day in our hallways and on our playgrounds. Phoenix Ranch is not just a school. It is a home base for childhood.
We believe that the early years of a child's life are profoundly important. According to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, responsive interactions between young children and caring adults help build the brain architecture that supports healthy development and lifelong well-being. Every conversation, every warm greeting, every moment a guide listens carefully to your child is an investment in who they will become. That understanding shapes every program, every classroom, and every relationship we build with your family.
Today, Phoenix Ranch School is proud to be part of the Endeavor Schools family, a national community of schools united by a shared belief that early childhood education can change lives. This partnership strengthens our resources, our practices, and reaffirms our mission.
Our mission at Phoenix Ranch School is to develop your child's unique abilities and potential through an individualized, developmentally appropriate, and enriched educational program. We believe that the early years are when essential skills are truly formed, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional, and we approach every interaction with that understanding front and center.
We envision a school community where your child walks in each morning feeling genuinely excited to be here. Where curiosity is celebrated, individuality is honored, and every child discovers the kind of learner they are at their own pace, in their own way, with the full support of guides who truly care.
At Phoenix Ranch, we follow a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum in which your little one learns through exploration, hands-on experiences, and child-initiated discovery, guided by warm, qualified educators. Our Preschool program introduces early reading, writing, and mathematics in ways that feel natural and genuinely fun. In contrast, our Elementary program builds a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, science, Spanish, technology, and the arts through inquiry-based learning. Enrichment is woven into everyday life at Phoenix Ranch. Your child will enjoy Spanish, music, physical education, library, and technology as core parts of their weekly experience, with additional enrichment options including martial arts, soccer, gymnastics, dance, and yoga. This breadth ensures that your young learner has the opportunity to discover passions and build skills that go far beyond the traditional classroom.
What Makes Phoenix Ranch School Different?
If you have been searching for the right school for your child and wondering what sets one school apart from another, you are asking exactly the right question. Here is what families tell us again and again makes Phoenix Ranch feel different the moment they visit.
We think it starts with space, real, generous, purposeful space. Our campus features large, bright classrooms, specialized art and technology labs, a well-stocked library, age-grouped play yards, two swimming pools, a full basketball court, a sports field, and a multipurpose performance space. Your child has room to move, create, collaborate, and grow every single day. This is not a small building with a tiny outdoor space. This is an environment intentionally designed to support every dimension of your child's development.
Then there are the people. We know that the single most important factor in your child's experience is the relationship they build with the adults who care for them. At Phoenix Ranch, our educators are carefully selected for their warmth, expertise, and genuine love of children. Many of our teachers have been with us for years, creating the kind of continuity and trust that makes a real difference in how your child feels at school each day. All educators hold early childhood qualifications, are CPR and First Aid certified, and participate in ongoing professional development and specialized training each month.
Judy Penrose, Preschool School Leader at Phoenix Ranch School and Camp, explains what she sees in the classrooms she leads every day: "I love the moments when students are in circle time, and they are so engaged and participating and asking so many questions. You can see their minds working so hard." Judy brings 24 years of experience in early childhood education, along with a Bachelor's in Human Development and a Master's in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College, to her role here.
She also shares the school's core philosophy, "I've always believed that great early childhood education starts with a great curriculum that is built on a play-based and developmentally appropriate approach, where children learn in child-initiated and teacher-guided play."
According to the Learning Policy Institute, children who attend high-quality preschool programs are better prepared for school and experience greater learning gains than those who do not attend preschool. These programs also improve early literacy and mathematics skills before elementary school begins. This evidence reinforces what our families experience firsthand every year.
Early Childhood Leadership & Staff
One of the most common questions we hear from families before they visit is simple, who will actually be with my child every day? We love that question because our team is one of our greatest sources of pride. Our teachers participate in professional training days and specialized workshops monthly, ensuring they stay current with best practices in early childhood education, social-emotional learning, and safety. Small class sizes mean your little one receives real individual attention, and our open-door policy means you can always come in to speak with a teacher or school leader whenever you have a question or concern.
Judy Penrose
Preschool School Leader, Phoenix Ranch School
With 24 years of experience in early childhood education and advanced degrees from Pacific Oaks College, Judy leads the preschool program at Phoenix Ranch with both deep expertise and genuine warmth. She is passionate about building strong relationships among educators, children, and families, and is committed to creating an environment where every child feels emotionally supported, capable, and excited to learn.
Achievements & Accreditations
For more than three decades, Phoenix Ranch School has been a place where children in Simi Valley grow with confidence, curiosity, and purpose. Since our founding in 1987, we have remained committed to developing the whole child, academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively, through an individualized, developmentally appropriate program rooted in excellence. Our teachers are carefully selected for their expertise, warmth, and ability to nurture children through every stage. Small class sizes, ongoing communication with families, strong safety practices, and hands-on learning ensure that your child receives what they need to thrive.
"I've always believed that great early childhood education starts with a great curriculum that is built on a play-based and developmentally appropriate approach, where children learn in child-initiated and teacher-guided play."
- Judy Penrose, Preschool School Leader, Phoenix Ranch School
Endeavor Schools is a community of more than 100 schools across the country, brought together by a shared commitment to caring for children during the most important years of their lives. Each school is thoughtfully connected to its local community, creating environments where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Behind every classroom is a team of educators and parents who understand how much these early experiences matter, and who are dedicated to helping children build confidence, develop essential skills, and find a genuine love for learning. At the heart of Endeavor Schools is a focus on one simple goal: to give every child the support and foundation they need to thrive, both in school and in life.