Gillispie School

What happens when you give young children a blank canvas, leftover paint, and complete creative freedom? 🎨 🖼️ 💭

You get a sunset! ☀️

Created by our Pre-K students, “Sunset” is a collaborative work of art that grew through exploration, creativity, and discovery—without a plan or predetermined outcome. Rooted in the philosophy of process art, the project became a reflection of the children’s ideas, memories, and observations of the world around them.

Read the story on our website to learn why the creative journey was even more meaningful than the finished masterpiece. Link in bio!

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Preschool, Pre-K, Process Art

What if the most important work of childhood looked like this? 🐞🌱

Children searching for roly-polies aren’t “just playing.” They’re observing, questioning, problem-solving, collaborating, and connecting with the natural world. They’re building the foundation for lifelong learning.

☀️Summer invites us to slow down. To leave room for wonder. To protect time for exploration, creativity, and unstructured play.

Childhood is not a race to adulthood—it’s a sacred season all its own.

✨ Read our latest article, “The Sacred Work of Summer Play”, and discover why leaving room for play matters so much. Link in bio.

We are looking forward to seeing our Summer Explorers next week!🦎

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Preschool, Early Childhood Program, Outdoor Classroom

The Gillispie sun shines a little brighter today. 🌞

To our graduates: thank you for sharing your journey with us!

As you begin your next adventure, know that this community will always be cheering you on. Wherever life takes you, the Gillispie sun will always shine on you! 💙🧡

Congratulations, Class of 2026—we’re so proud of you. 🎓✨

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Preschool, Kindergarten Program, Grad 2026

🎓💙🧡Celebration was in the air this week as we welcomed back our graduating high school seniors who began their journeys at Gillispie. The afternoon was filled with heartfelt reunions with friends, teachers, and fellow Gillispie families, along with plenty of laughter and cherished memories.

Students loved seeing how much campus has changed—and how much has stayed the same, from the merry-go-cycle to the play structure that still holds so many special memories. 💙

We are so proud of the incredible young people you’ve become and can’t wait to see where your journeys take you next. Congratulations, Class of 2025! No matter how far you go, the Gillispie sun will always shine on you. ☀️

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Preschool, Kindergarten Program, Grad 2026

🐚✨Gillispie kindergarteners recently designed coastal-inspired artwork using seashells—exploring patterns, symmetry, and design while creating truly unique pieces.

The learning didn’t stop there! Their incredible creations connect art, math, and literacy in meaningful ways. Read the complete story at gillispie.org/news.

These unique pieces were on display for families at the Gillispie Arts & Design Showcase on Friday, May 15.

Gillispie School, La Jolla Private School, San Diego Elementary School, San Diego Preschool, Kindergarten Program

🎨✨ Gillispie’s Arts & Design Showcase is happening next week—we can’t wait to welcome our families!

This special event celebrates the creativity woven throughout our performing arts, visual arts, and design programs. 🎵

Enjoy live musical performances in the auditorium, explore elementary artwork in the gym, view early childhood pieces in the Art Atelier, see budding entrepreneurial projects in the art garden, and experience innovative design projects on the Sandbox deck. 🌷

Join us as we celebrate the imagination and talent of our students. 🌟

Gillispie School, San Diego Schools, San Diego Elementary, San Diego Preschool, Private School San Diego

🌿✨ Something magical is happening in our outdoor classroom…

Inspired by a found branch, our preschoolers created a tree chandelier—blending art, science, and nature in one collaborative project. From exploring simple pulley systems to strengthening fine motor skills through beading, this hands-on experience highlights the power of play-based learning and creativity in early childhood education.

Want to see how preschoolers turned a branch into a unique piece of art? Visit our blog to learn more!

GillispieSchool, San Diego Private School, San Diego Elementary School