Independent progressive school at 7380 Girard Ave in La Jolla, CA 92037, serving students from early childhood through sixth grade with an inquiry-based curriculum that prioritizes critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional development. La Jolla Village Montessori School on Fay Ave feeds many of its graduates into Gillispie's early elementary program, and the two Village institutions share a philosophy that puts the child's developmental pace ahead of rigid benchmarks. Gillispie's Girard Avenue campus in the Village provides a close-knit learning community where small class sizes, specialist instruction in art, music, science, and Spanish, and project-based learning give students a foundation that extends well beyond test scores. The school emphasizes character, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity, preparing graduates for San Diego's most competitive middle and high school programs. The walkable Village location is central to La Jolla families. Graduates who continue into an independent middle-and-upper-school track apply to The Bishop's School on La Jolla Blvd. Schedule a campus visit at gillispie.org to see the program in action.