Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in La Jolla. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.
Best Teachers
Earned the highest teacher quality score in La Jolla. This dimension weighs staff tenure, qualifications, warmth reported in parent reviews, and consistency of care across classrooms.
Best K-Ready
Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in La Jolla. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.
Best Extracurriculars
Earned the highest extracurricular score in La Jolla. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschoolelementary
Gillispie School is a CAIS-, NAIS-, and WASC-accredited private provider in La Jolla serving children ages 2 through Grade 6, with a Reggio-inspired early childhood philosophy and project-based elementary curriculum emphasizing hands-on, collaborative learning. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, experienced staff, and over three decades of community presence since 1990, the school offers continuity from toddler programs through elementary with specialty STEAM classes and individualized student support. Parents across GreatSchools and Yelp consistently praise the nurturing teaching approach and rigorous academics. Annual tuition of approximately $31,000 positions it among the most expensive options in La Jolla, reflecting its premium accreditation and resources; notably, the school does not serve infants under age 2.
Safety6.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music7.0
Infant care5.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion7.0
Management6.0
Culture7.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Reggio-inspired early childhood approach that nurtures each child's unique contribution to learning, transitioning to a social-constructivist elementary program. Core philosophy is "The Journey Matters" with an emphasis on "Learn by Doing" through collaborative, hands-on, project-based work.
Programs & activities: Parent Toddler Program (ages 20-36 months), Early Childhood (ages 2-PreK), and elementary grades K-6. Offers specialty classes with a cross-disciplinary STEAM focus (science, technology, engineering, art, math) and student support services.
What sets it apart: Accredited/affiliated with CAIS, NAIS, and WASC, and part of the San Diego Consortium of Schools. Located in La Jolla, holds California Childcare License #372000227, and notes a Niche Best Schools 2026 badge and Best of La Jolla award.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 10 in La Jolla
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in La Jolla</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in La Jolla. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.</span>
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</a>
Best Teachers
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Gillispie School -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/la-jolla/gillispie-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
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<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Teachers</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest teacher quality score in La Jolla. This dimension weighs staff tenure, qualifications, warmth reported in parent reviews, and consistency of care across classrooms.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best K-Ready
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Gillispie School -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/la-jolla/gillispie-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-kinder.jpg" alt="Best K-Ready - Gillispie School - La Jolla, CA" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best K-Ready</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in La Jolla. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Extracurriculars
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Gillispie School -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/la-jolla/gillispie-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-extra.jpg" alt="Best Extracurriculars - Gillispie School - La Jolla, CA" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Extracurriculars</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest extracurricular score in La Jolla. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.</span>
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This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
