The Child’s Primary School
A Top-Ranked K-8 Private School in San Diego, California
Educating the Whole Child
The Child’s Primary School (TCPS) is a top-ranked K-8th private school in San Diego with Kindergarten, Elementary School and Middle School. We strive to educate the whole child by providing a balanced educational experience which includes academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and happiness in school, all focused on a curious child who is engaged in the educational process and respected as an individual by teachers.
At the heart of our program are small classes which enable teachers to establish relationships with students and get to know who they are and what motivates them to learn. There are many benefits to small classes including differentiation and the ability of teachers to adjust the program for maximum student engagement.
Our goal is to inspire life-long learning through an inclusive and interactive teaching model, in an innovative environment, building independence and leadership in every student.
Small School. Small Classes.
Big Results.
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KINDERGARTEN
San Diego’s best Kindergarten offers a small-class focused on the whole child in a responsive classroom with movement, arts, and joy. Students explore, wonder, indulge curiosity, and build skills at their own pace.
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ELEMENTARY
In small classes 1st–5th graders advance in skills and challenges at grade appropriate levels. They learn how to learn with engaged teachers who offer differentiation in a robust success-oriented program.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Insightful, creative 6–8 graders in a collaborative environment, build skills while becoming confident learners excited for challenge. Our graduates are critical thinkers prepared to lead and excel in high school.
Benefits of a TCPS Education
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Innovative Curriculum
Our challenging, interactive curriculum includes Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Technology, P.E., Music, Arts, Spanish, Advanced Research, and Library.
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Low Student-Teacher Ratio
Your child will feel known and cared for in classes with no more than 12 students in K-2nd grade and 16 in 3rd-8th grade. We provide an environment perfectly suited for your child’s academic, emotional, and social growth.
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"Classroom Without Walls"
This philosophy embodies our belief that academic learning takes place both in and out of the traditional setting. The classroom expands through technology, field trips, and collaboration with learners of different ages.
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Community Outreach
Students participate in Community Outreach Programs to develop a spirit of collaboration and philanthropy.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We respect and encourage the unique contributions of individuals and appreciate the differences all members of our community bring to TCPS. We believe these unique strengths, views, and backgrounds are to be respected and nurtured in a sensitive, loving manner.
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Before & After School Care
Extended Care is available at a reasonable hourly rate. Financial aid is available. We also offer After-School Enrichment Programs, including chorus, soccer, science, art, chess and more.
TCPS by the Numbers
1983
YEAR FOUNDED
K-8
GRADE LEVELS
12-16
AVG. CLASS SIZE
110
STUDENTS ENROLLED
Our Mission
At The Child’s Primary School, our mission is to create an engaged educational community that inspires generations of students with the passion to learn.
TCPS is committed to fostering a balance of academic excellence and interpersonal skills enrichment, while empowering students to become learners, leaders, thinkers, and creative problem solvers.
An Affordable Private School Education
At TCPS, we aim to make a private school education available to as many San Diego families as possible. We strive to keep tuition low and offer a strong financial assistance program for students who might otherwise not be able to attend.
Meet the Administrative Team
The faculty and staff at The Child's Primary School are talented, creative, dedicated, and diverse individuals who have been drawn together for the common purpose of nurturing a community of learning. We’d love to take you on a tour of our school!
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Donny Kim
Head of School
& Grade 8 History Teacher -
Rachel Szalay
Assistant Head
of School -
Schuyler Rainey Twyman
Director of Enrollment
& Marketing
Start your online application for Fall admission today!
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📌 STEP 1
→ Schedule a Tour
Our friendly admissions staff will greet you and lead you on a tour of our campus and classrooms. During the tour you will learn about our student-centered philosophy, what makes TCPS a unique educational community and get all of your questions answered - specific to the interests of your child and your family.
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📌 STEP 2
→ Apply Online
Submit an online application for your child and upload any supplemental documents that will help us get to know your child better. We will reach out to your child’s current teacher(s) by email to request they submit an online Teacher Recommendation. A $125 application fee applies.
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📌 STEP 3
→ Schedule Interview
Once your application is complete, it’s your child’s turn! We will welcome your child on campus to meet with one of our teachers for their own interview and to see our school for themselves. It’s our chance to begin to get to know your child in person and learn more about them.