Wagon Wheel School
Preschool in Los Angeles, CA 90004
The Wagon Wheel School was established in 1943. In 1978 Ruth Segal took over the school and brought to it her own unique philosophy and principles.
Hidden away in a corner of Hollywood at Melrose Ave and Cahuenga Blvd, the Wagon Wheel School campus is an idyllic haven for its very diverse, multi-cultural group of young students. Three buildings serve as the class rooms; the first for the 2 and 3 year olds (the Twinklers, the Teddy Bears, the Bumblebees and the Ramblers), the second houses the 4 and 5 year olds (the Bunnies, the Cheerios and the Crickets), and the third is home to the Developmental Kindergarten Class.
The fourth building is its new multi-functional building. The lower level of the building serves as an airy and light auditorium and performance space where children are taught dance and music. The upper level houses the staff offices and staff lounge. The building is very special because it was designed as a collaboration between parents here who are architects and interior designers. Kristina Loock, Kelly Wearstler, Tia Zoldan, Linda Chung, Renee Wilson, and Brian Wilson all contributed their time and creativity to this special project.
The four buildings of the campus surround a beautiful, lush tropical garden which is divided into a number of discrete play areas for children of different ages.
- Child Ages:
- 2 years - 5 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- California Department of Social Services: Community Care Licensing Division
- Preschool:
- Yes
Want more information?
- Classroom Ratios
- Director and Teaching Staff Bios
- Course and Teaching Material
- Menus, Activities, and more...
The Wagon Wheel School experience is centered around creativity and cultural awareness. Teachers introduce shapes, colors, basic math concepts and letter recognition through a wide variety of creative art and science projects. Weekly music classes and dance classes, and a multitude of cultural and musical events enrich their learning experience. Children are encouraged to be independent thinkers and problem solvers and to express themselves. There is a special emphasis on promoting self-esteem, and helping students express their needs through words. This is achieved in a variety of ways, for example, every Monday morning the children have Show & Tell to teach them how to speak in front of a group and every Wednesday morning one of the eight classes performs for the school and their parents. In the higher grades there is a stronger emphasis on academics based on a recognition that there is an obligation prepare the children scholastically for their future schools and any testing that they may be required to do.
