About the Nonprofit
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What began as morning lessons for six children at Mrs. Hannah Howard’s Tea Kettle Inn in 1912 has developed into a modern campus serving students from pre-school to eighth grade. Located in Montecito for 88 years, our campus has been relocated to a semi-rural spot surrounded by city parks and a vibrant agricultural community in Carpinteria, CA.
We are proud to be Santa Barbara's oldest continually operating private school, serving both Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The school has undergone some changes over the past 100 years, but what remains is our dedication to teaching the whole child. Keeping class sizes small gives us the unique ability to assist each child in reaching his or her full potential.
The Howard School strives to educate the whole child. The Carden classroom is organized in such a way that the learning is highly individualized, meeting the unique needs of each child. Because instruction is given in small groups (three to six children per group), the Carden teacher gets to know each child’s personality and learning style.
An emphasis on respect and consistent expectations enables the teacher to maintain a calm and cheerful atmosphere. The natural rhythm of the classroom develops both mental and emotional stamina. Children learn to manage their time and organize materials. Emotional and personal growth are fostered through guidance and active instruction in conflict resolution. The result of this approach is that children develop the concentration and control necessary to think and articulate their perspective.
We serve families from Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Goleta.