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Fifty-four years of staying small on purpose

Founded in 1971 to pair excellence in academics with joyful learning and a real sense of community.

PS1 Pluralistic School was founded in 1971 by Joel Pelcyger and Eleanor Coben.

The school built an environment that encourages personal reflection and social interaction on a scale comprehensible to young children, and quickly acquired a reputation for producing capable and connected citizens.

We choose to stay small so that all voices are heard and valued, accentuating both the individual and the connections that bring people together. Our original and evolving vision is reflected in our most cherished values and traditions.

Current Head of School Susannah Wolf joined PS1 in 2023, succeeding founding Head Joel Pelcyger.

A PS1 classroom photographed in the mid-1970s

The long arc

  1. 1971

    The school opens

    Joel Pelcyger and Eleanor Coben found PS1 around a simple idea: academic excellence and joy are not a trade-off.

  2. 2002

    One Campus, One Community begins

    A capital campaign that ran through 2013 and rebuilt the campus: the field, aftercare space, two classrooms, and an activity center with an indoor court and a stage.

  3. 2018

    Sustainable Quality Award, Grand Prize

    The city's top sustainability prize across all Santa Monica businesses, and the school's second SQA grand prize.

  4. 2023

    Susannah Wolf becomes Head of School

    The school's second long-term head, succeeding its founder.

  5. 2024

    A refreshed vision, mission, and values

    Unveiled on Moving Up Day after a year of community-wide strategic work.

PS1 students taking part in a Dia de los Muertos celebration

Traditions

PS1 believes strongly in the positive impact of traditions in the lives of young children. We hold many celebrations during the year to help students build lasting memories.

From Make New Friends Day and the Holiday Gift Exchange to school camping trips and Moving Up Day, the calendar is full of special events. Some new, many evolved over time, we look forward to them year after year.

School archives

PS1's archives are a living library of photos, videos, newspaper and magazine articles, poetry books, Periscopes, brochures, correspondence, awards, and milestones from 1971 to the present. Examples of student work and the development of curriculum are collected each year.