Our Mission

Rose Scharlin Co-operative Nursery School’s purpose is to provide a safe, secure and challenging environment for our children; to offer them a range of developmentally appropriate activities; and to reflect the diversity of our backgrounds, our community and our world.

• We emphasize the process of parents and children learning and working together for the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of all.

• We cherish each child’s need to play.

• We acknowledge and value our differences, and respect our children as unique individuals with their own abilities and needs.  We welcome families from all races, ethnic groups, religions abilities, and family structures.

• We actively seek to challenge the impact of bias on our children in our interactions with them and each other and in our choice of educational materials and activities.

• We work to encourage the growth and empowerment of children and adults in building the cooperative community of Rose Scharlin, respecting all individuals as we work toward our shared goals.

What is a Co-op?

A cooperative school, or parent-participatory school,  is just what it sounds like: one owned and operated by the families whose children attend the school in cooperation with each other and with the school’s teachers.  Parents participate in the school’s daily operations, administration and maintenance through regular work days as teaching assistants, committee work, fund-raising and monthly meetings. 

Rose Scharlin is a community we create collectively, every day on the school yard and at every board meeting, fundraising event, and potluck. At the heart of a co-op is the understanding that a community is not an empty box waiting to be filled, but a living thing born out of our shared commitments, concerns, and cooperation. Our school is a nurturing and enriching environment for our children to grow up in because we believe in that vision and because we bring that vision to life together.

The Yard

Located in its current location since 1946, Rose Scharlin is a predominantly outdoor park-like space that encourages the school's outdoor play-based curriculum. The school features  expansive open lawns and green space, swings, a large climbing structure and sandbox, bike area, vegetable garden, mud kitchen as well as an indoor library, bathrooms and a covered art area, kitchen and office. The school day is primarily experienced outdoors on our lovely hilltop yard, supported by a few indoor spaces for quiet play, reading books in the library or small group activities in the classroom. It is a lovely outdoor oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. 

But what if it rains?  Rainy days are generally treated as an opportunity for new outdoor experiences.  Children are encouraged to play in the rain if they are dressed appropriately.