Our Philosophy

Del Mar Academy is an independent day school for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. We are committed to combine academic excellence and the joy of learning with the experiencing of the wonder of the natural world. We integrate the Montessori philosophy into our curriculum. Our education enables children to develop an ethical approach to all living things and to believe in their power to make positive changes.

Our Mission

Our mission at Del Mar Academy is to provide a high quality bilingual education which addresses the individual needs of each child in a safe, nurturing, and richly stimulating setting.  We aim to promote a lasting legacy by inspiring a love of life and learning; creating environments that engage, excite and question; and cultivating the acquisition of skills necessary for a balanced, successful life.  We instill respect for self and others; nourish self-awareness and peace within; inspire innovative thinkers and problem solvers; develop leadership, communication and relationship skills; promote global awareness and citizenship; and address the importance of environmental preservation.  We aim to empower our students to initiate their own activities by helping them develop self-reliance, interdependence, and a sense of ownership of their classroom, their school, and the world at large.

Our Goals

Enrichment:  Our challenging, multidisciplinary curriculum is tailored to the individual needs, strengths, and interests of the children and our methodology is based on the best practices of teaching and learning. Creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and decision making are infused into the program to enrich the life and learning of the whole child.

Empowerment:  Through the recognition and development of their academic strengths and creative talents, our students, as active learners, are encouraged to initiate independent investigations. Through the opportunities to be decision makers, active researchers, and creative producers students develop a sense of voice and empowerment.

Nurturing Environment: The school offers a warm, clean and beautiful environment shaped by the values of respect, compromise, integrity, cooperation, empathy, tolerance, and love. Our adult to child ratio is optimal for effective individualized and small group instruction.

Critical and Creative Thinking:  We value both critical and creative thinking, reasoning and imagination. Indeed, problem solving in our complicated world today requires both forms of thinking.

Experiential Learning:  We believe in “learning by doing” and value the lifelong learning of knowledge, skills and attitudes that results from vital aesthetic experiences.

Citizenship: Del Mar Academy is dedicated to the development of the child as an active joyous learner, a collaborator, a citizen of his/her community and the world.  We provide opportunities for children to work cooperatively, to resolve conflicts, to listen respectfully, to voice their opinion, and to develop their “emotional intelligence.”

Parental Participation: Parent involvement is vital to the well being of the students and the school. Our parents are true partners in education. We solicit their input and feedback, and we encourage willing parents to share their knowledge, participate on committees, chaperone field trips, etc.

Diversity: Ethnic, racial, religious, cultural and lifestyle differences among students and their families enrich the texture of our school. Cultural diversity is valued and children are exposed to various perspectives through the curriculum as well. Individual and cultural differences are celebrated.

Joy:  Learning always should be joyous; otherwise it becomes rote, boring and anesthetizing.  We believe in celebrating life and learning with a sense of joy, appreciation and wonder.