About Del Mar Pines School

Del Mar Pines School is a secular private elementary school conveniently located in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego CA. Founded in 1978, Del Mar Pines school provides students with excellent academic programs that bring about well-rounded children of strong character.

What Makes Del Mar Pines School Special?

Del Mar Pines School provides students with more of what they need. We have one class per grade with a maximum of 20 students in kindergarten and 23 students in grades 1-6. We have two teachers in every grade to facilitate small, instructional groupings in language arts and math instruction. Whole class learning takes place in science and social studies.

It’s a warm and happy place where students learn, grow and thrive.

DMP at a Glance

Vision, Mission and Values

Our VISION to empower students to create a better world, is brought to light through the active implementation of our MISSION to challenge minds, nurture character, and respect individuality in a supportive community. At Del Mar Pines School our actions support our VALUES to be respectful, responsible, open-minded, and empathetic.

Expected Learning Outcomes

At Del Mar Pines School, we expect every student will be able to communicate effectively, apply interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, solve complex problems, think critically, and act with integrity, compassion, and a growth mindset.

Academic Results

Our academic results are impressive! The Median Scale Scores and National Percentile Ranks for students in third through sixth grade at Del Mar Pines are significantly above the national norms and independent schools norms on the CTP-5 standardized tests.

Our students are motivated, self-confident, well-organized learners with excellent study habits. They possess the ability to analyze and synthesize factual and abstract information, and express ideas clearly in oral and/or written form. When they graduate from Del Mar Pines, students are prepared for the personal and academic challenges that lie ahead in middle school and beyond!

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

The student body at Del Mar Pines School* reflects the diversity of the community of Carmel Valley in San Diego CA. At our school, DIVERSITY is the practice of respecting and accepting one another's differences based on a wide variety of factors including ethnicity, age, family makeup, education, religion and more. INCLUSION is the action that precedes diversity, where individuals from various backgrounds are accepted and welcomed both culturally and socially.

BELONGING or fitting in is another meaningful aspect of inclusion where you and your student/s feel valued as members of our elementary school community.

Current Student Ethnicity by Percentage 2023:

DMP diversity chart showing 36% Asian, 34% White, 14% Mixed, 13% East Indian, and 3% Hispanic.

WASC Accreditation

Del Mar Pines School has been fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 2007.

WASC is one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. WASC Accreditation certifies that Del Mar Pines School demonstrates the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning and ongoing school improvement.

School Hours

Office Hours
(M-F) 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

Regular Daily Student Hours
Gates open at 7:40 a.m. each morning
(M-F) 8:00 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. except every other Wednesday is 3:05 p.m.

Minimum Days
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Foundation

The Del Mar Pines Foundation for Education is a charitable organization, formed to support and enhance the educational experiences of students at Del Mar Pines School. The Foundation provides students and teachers with scholastic enrichment opportunities and resources― not covered by tuition.

Learn our History

Since our humble beginnings in 1978, we’re proud of the part we’ve played in the social growth, personal development and educational enhancement of a sweeping array of eager children. More importantly, we can’t wait to contribute our own durable imprint to future generations of Del Mar Pines students.

We believe the elementary school years are the most formative of a child’s life. These early years can breed intellectual apathy or curiosity to seek knowledge. A time marked by creative, social, and emotional development, and characterized by a lifelong love of learning and the joys of new, diverse friendships.

Read our history

Inspiring Excellence

Over 40 years ago, Del Mar Pines School was built to provide a well rounded and positive learning experience for local elementary school students. We believe the elementary school years are the most formative of a child’s life. These early years can breed intellectual apathy or the curiosity to seek greater knowledge. At Del Mar Pines School, we focus on scholastic development, personal growth, character, citizenship and ethical enrichment. Our students are appropriately challenged to learn and grow. By the time they graduate, they become independent, confident, inquisitive, enthusiastic, responsible, and compassionate people.

Small Class Sizes

To help meet our mission we provide a low teacher-to-student ratio with two teachers in each classroom. This design prevents disruptions, allows for more quality instruction time, generates better results and can accelerate learning time. Smaller class sizes also help build stronger relationships with teachers and classmates.

Our smaller class sizes and innovative small group instruction, in language arts and math, provides DMP students with more personalized attention from their teachers and ensures a stress-free, yet challenging learning experience.

Caring Teachers

Behind our small class size structure, we have an excellent team of highly qualified teachers and staff who work hard to inspire an inquisitive spirit, build close relationships and promote critical thinking, so each student can reach their full potential— both personally and academically.

DMP teachers nurture the opportunity for intellectual and creative expression while preparing their students for life long success. We place a strong emphasis on character development as well as key foundational skills such as organization, study habits, and public speaking. Our teachers are caring, kind, and build confidence in their students.

Robust Curriculum

While our focus is on character development and our four core academic subjects of: mathematics, language arts, science and social studies, Del Mar Pines School offers its students much more. We also provide weekly instruction in P.E, visual art, music, hands-on-science, Spanish, Library, technology and wellness for upper-grade students. These classes are aligned with the curriculum, support the whole child learning approach and make learning fun.

5th grade students in the american revolution presentation

Superior Safety Precautions

The health and safety of our students and staff has always been a priority at Del Mar Pines School but in 2020, we invested heavily in health and safety. Listed below are a few of our newer health and safety purchases and programs.

Air purification system in all HVAC systems
A hospital grade mobile UV-C light decontamination unit
A hospital grade electrostatic backpack disinfectant spray system
New hand sanitizer dispensers throughout campus
Kencor health screening app for daily health check in
Infrared temperature check at entrance
All teachers and staff continue to be First Aid and CPR trained
New AED

Additional Services

Summer Discoveries Day Camp

Del Mar Pines’ Summer Program is one of the area’s most coveted and open to all elementary school age children in the area.

Classes focus on both personal and academic enrichment – allowing children to develop and refine basic skills while expanding their horizons through creativity and innovation.

Learn More Summer Discoveries Day Camp

After Care

Offered from 2:35–5:15 p.m.
Charged at $8.50/hour.

We cultivate the development of resilient, thoughtful and confident individuals who are well prepared for a rapidly changing world.

Marci McCord

Head of School

See your child thrive in school

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