THE KNOWING GARDEN is a community Elementary school in Los Angeles’ Southbay. It was founded in 2011 by a group of parents who believe that school should be a place where students, teachers, and parents alike can develop their passions, learn to be in relationships, nurture personal purpose, and be catalysts for social change. Our school was built to provide a safe environment where empowered citizens can learn to take ownership of their learning and can practice problem-solving and conflict resolution within a culture of connection.
Our school began in the Summer of 2010 at our very first community meeting held in a founding family’s backyard. We knew what we didn’t want but had trouble finding the school that was doing what we were looking for. Guided by the Roseville Community School’s model, we started with 5 students and one visionary teacher to develop a program that would be the foundation for today’s TKG. Our hope has always been that while our children are here, they have a safe place to practice how to know themselves and others, develop their capabilities, and trust their potential…that’s how we got our name – this is a place to know on many different levels.
Learning outdoors supports the development of the whole child: brain and physical development by moving through and inhaling nature, cooperative learning, executive function and risk-management, social-emotional and conflict-resolution practice. In adapting to meet in-person during COVID, we are spending our learning and playing time outdoors.
A TKG Graduate
After their years at TKG, we see students who are curious, caring, and confident. Through the years of practicing collaboration and cooperation, students are flexible and adapt to diverse situations. Academically, our students recognize that their decisions and effort are within their control and that the outcomes rest within themselves. Our students love their time in nature and learn to play deeply in many environments. After all the time they have spent practicing relationship, they are comfortable with a range of feelings and have a sense that they can recover and succeed after setbacks and failures. Our goal is to support students that are healthy and whole as they enter the pre-adolescent phase of life.
Our school was founded in 2011 by a group of parents and educators who believe that some of the most important learning children will do builds confidence, resilience, and agency. We believe school should be a place where students, teachers, and parents can expand their capabilities, develop their passions, learn to be in relationships, nurture personal purpose, and learn how to be catalysts for social change. THE KNOWING GARDEN is a community Elementary school in Redondo Beach.
