Welcome to Turning Point School! Since 1970, Turning Point has been graduating students in Preschool through Grade 8 who are confident in their abilities, masterful in their achievements, and empathic in their worldview. I hope you will come to campus to meet our remarkable students, observe the teachers who lead and support them, and explore with us the elements of your child’s “positive equation.”

Brain research shows that early childhood and adolescence are the two most critical periods of a person’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth. At Turning Point, we thoughtfully and purposefully construct a path for students to bridge these stages effectively—in the classrooms, on the playing fields, and in our various creative spaces. Our methods are research-based, our approach is systematic, and our outcomes are carefully measured.

Turning Point is a positive community, and our students remain happily engaged from the time they arrive at drop-off until they go home at the end of the day. Yet, happiness is far more than an easy morning routine. It is what results from the exercise of personal strengths and virtues, guideposts that help us all—students, educators, and parents—make our way toward purposeful and courageous lives.

When our students are engaged in enhanced, meaningful learning and the deep satisfaction which accompanies authentic growth and achievement, we can observe it on their faces and in their body language. We call this a “state of flow”— it makes them better able to select more challenging goals, perform better, and persist longer on challenges. It helps them navigate difficult situations more resiliently and inspires them to share their authentic selves and genuine talents with others. It is a profound marker of future success of all kinds and creates the traits we want to see in those who will, one day in the not-too-distant future, inherit our planet.

Turning Point continues to evolve after almost 50 years of excellence, thanks to our robust partnership between school and family, which not only nurtures our greater school community, but promotes the well-being and happiness of others. Our community’s dedication to a larger, common good guides us toward noble purposes which transcend meaning we merely create for ourselves. I cannot think of a more profound compass to guide our myriad positive equations for achievement.

I look forward to meeting you and your child.

Warmly,

Dr. Laura Konigsberg
Head of School
Parent of Jack (Class of 2019) and Miles (Class of 2023)

Based on scientific research and the field of positive psychology, our positive equation for achievement encompasses the intellectual, social, physical, ethical, and emotional elements that drive each student’s experience and growth, from the very first day of preschool until eighth grade graduation.

The Intellectual Elements

As our students navigate our rigorous curriculum, we encourage them to take ownership of their learning. While a thoughtfully designed scope and sequence guides our curriculum, we honor your child’s unique path. Personalized, strengths-based instruction means students experience the right level of challenge as they practice critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving—elements they will continue to utilize through high school, college, and beyond.

The Social Elements

Very few things happen in isolation. Having the aptitude to move comfortably among peers and to connect with those different from oneself are crucial qualities your child will need to successfully contribute to a global society. From day one, our students exercise leadership, inclusion, trust, and kindness as they learn to collaborate and to build healthy friendships.

The Physical Elements

Research reveals a significant correlation between physical well-being and success in learning. A balanced curriculum creates space for play, promotes agility and motor skills, and elevates sportsmanship. We foster in our students an appreciation for their physical selves, and dedicate intentional time to nurturing healthy habits.

The Ethical Elements

Growing your child’s ethical mind goes deeper than knowing right from wrong. As a community, we cultivate shared values rooted in integrity, equity, and empathy. Our students speak up for themselves, as well as for those who do not have a voice, and shoulder responsibility for their peers as they embrace their obligations as compassionate global citizens.

The Emotional Elements

Children travel remarkable and complex paths through childhood and adolescence. In our dynamic environment, students harness the power of emotion to assign personal relevance and meaning to their learning. By summoning the courage to test their independence, confidence, and compassion, students are able to see themselves in the best light—as great friends, deep learners, and true collaborators.

The Turning Point program, which spans preschool through eighth grade, honors the profound brain reshaping periods during both early childhood and early adolescence.

Research shows that middle school students perform better academically and have a higher perception of their own abilities in Preschool-8 schools, where they feel safer, more confident, and more engaged.

Turning Point is committed to a Preschool-8 program that produces talented, capable students who are not only ready to take on the challenges of high school, but are proud to have already made the world a better place.

For over 50 years, Turning Point School has maintained a focus on the whole child, emphasizing successful development of all facets of children’s learning: academic, emotional, creative, physical, social, and ethical.

The school began as a Montessori-based preschool in 1970, when a group of educators and business professionals strongly committed to the principles of developmentally appropriate education founded Montessori of West Los Angeles. Housed in facilities leased from the Leo Baeck Temple in Bel Air, the school had 125 students enrolled in its first year, with a combined Faculty and Staff of 18.

By the end of the 1980’s, the school had adopted an independent model of governance with a self-perpetuating board, and the school’s name was changed to Turning Point School to represent the series of “turning points” through which the school nurtures and guides its students. In 1990, the school was accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

In 1991, the school’s Board of Trustees created a long-range plan for the school, including a mandate to acquire and develop its own campus. In 1993, Turning Point School began accepting major gifts to fund the purchase, and the search began for a facility that would accommodate ongoing enrollment growth and the creation of a Middle School. On February 11, 2001, Turning Point School moved into its permanent home at 8780 National Boulevard in Culver City.

In 2005, the Board of Trustees seized the opportunity to control the property on the school’s west side through a long-term lease—allowing the school to more than double the square footage of the campus. Over the course of the next five years, donors responded generously to the Building Tomorrow Today Capital Campaign, and new construction began on what is now Building 2 and our Field/Outdoor Classroom in September of 2009, concluding in August 2010.

In 2013-2014, the school took another ambitious step in its strategic planning by making the decision to formally embrace its role as an institution that celebrates international diversity, promotes inclusive thinking, and integrates a global perspective into its curricula and culture. With careful review and input from different school constituents, including approval from the Board of Trustees, the words “globally oriented” were added to the mission statement and the school began pursuit of Global Citizenship Certification with the Council of International Schools. The school received its formal certification in June of 2015.

In June of 2016, Deborah Richman retired from her position as Head of School after 28 years of service. Her visionary leadership, advocacy of education, and deep love for the children she served continues to be a driving force behind the success of Turning Point. In July of 2016, Dr. Laura Konigsberg took the helm as Head of School, and Turning Point continues to grow, flourish, and evolve under her leadership and insight.

Today, Turning Point is an independent and fully accredited Preschool – 8 school that educates the whole child, instills a natural love of learning, engages students in exploring international perspectives, and provides a strong foundation for high school and beyond. Our spacious classrooms, art studio, storytelling centers, multimedia centers, SmartLab, science labs, 10,000-square-foot gymnasium, and visual and performing arts center all embody a state-of-the-art design that reflects the spirit of our “positive equation” and supports our commitment to fostering the intellectual, social, physical, ethical, and emotional growth of every student.

Our Mission (adopted September, 2021)
We open our doors every day to create a dynamic learning community in which each child grows into their best self.

Our Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in Turning Point’s long term stability and vision. One way of thinking about the Board is that its core activity is planning, and its primary constituency is not today’s students but students of the future. Trustees are responsible for developing a strategic plan, for hiring and evaluating the head of school, for approving an annual budget and overseeing financial accountability, and ensuring that we are fulfilling our mission.

Officers

Robert P. Friedman, President
Sam Widdoes, ’97, Vice President
Adena Smith, Treasurer
Meisha Griffith, Secretary
Dr. Laura Konigsberg, Head of School

Trustees

Ara Brown
Kobie Conner
Dr. Jane Figueiredo
Venisa Ibarra
Matt Karis
Zoe Lawrence
Hitomi Okamoto
Steve Plum
Thao Sebata
Joel Schneider
Charlie Toppino

Trustees Emeritus

Erika Glazer
Brooks Widdoes
Jamie Widdoes

Head of School Emerita

Deborah Richman

Turning Point School Board of Trustees

Located in Culver City, CA, Turning Point School is a co-educational, independent school for students in Preschool, Elementary School, and Middle School.

Open Positions

There are no open positions at this time, but please check back in the Spring of 2024.

Apply

To apply for an open position, please email Turning Point School’s Human Resource Manager at employment@turningpointschool.org

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Turning Point seeks candidates who will contribute to and are committed to diversity and inclusive practices, demonstrate skills that represent multiple perspectives, and enjoy communicating and collaborating effectively with a diverse and broad spectrum of individuals

Turning Point School is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace and seeking a diverse and broad spectrum of qualified candidates. Turning Point School does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, or sexual orientation.

Our Faculty and Staff Directory can be accessed here.

Our main offices are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. To reach us, please call (310) 841-2505.

To reach our Admissions department, please email admissions@turningpointschool.org.

Turning Point School

8780 National Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Email: info@turningpointschool.org
Phone: (310) 841-2505
Fax: (310) 841-5420
 
Employment Inquiries:
You may view open positions on our Employment page.

PRESCHOOL AND PRE-K

8:45 am – 2:30 pm
If child is not yet ready to stay for a full day, families may opt for a 1:00 pm pick-up time.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION (K-4)

Grades K-2: 8:15 am – 2:45 pm
Grades 3-4: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Middle School (5-8)

8:45 am – 3:25 pm

Morning Care

Available at no additional cost starting at 7:45 am.

After School Experience

After School classes, lessons, athletics, and care is available for full-day students until 6:00 pm at an additional cost.

Tuesday, August 29
First day of School (all grade levels)

Monday, September 4
Labor Day (No School)

Monday, September 25
Yom Kippur (No School)

Friday, November 10
No School for Students | Parent Conferences

Monday, November 13
No School for Students | Parent Conferences

Monday, November 20 – Friday, November 24
Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 18 – Tuesday, January 2*
Winter Break (School resumes on Wednesday, January 3)
*Tuesday, January 2 is a Faculty/Staff On-Campus Work Day

Friday, January 12
No School for Students | Professional Development Day

Monday, January 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

Monday, February 19
Presidents’ Day (No School)

Tuesday, February 20 – Wednesday, February 21
No School for Students | Professional Development Days

Monday, March 25 – Friday, April 5
Spring Break

Friday, May 17
No School for Students | Parent Conferences

Monday, May 20
No School for Students | Parent Conferences

Monday, May 27
Memorial Day (No School)

Wednesday, June 5
Last Day of School

Thursday and Friday, June 6-7
Faculty/Staff Professional Development Days

A positive equation for achievement.

Be part of the positive equation.

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