School for Independent Learners

Bullis Charter School is a family-founded, free public charter school that has served Los Altos-area families since 2004. Our North Campus on West Portola Avenue teaches transitional kindergarten through 8th grade. Admission is by lottery with no fee or entrance exam, and we are accredited by WASC. TK and kindergarten classes each have a teaching assistant, with adult-to-child ratios averaging 1:10 in TK and 1:12 in kindergarten. All grades take weekly specialist classes such as Mandarin, drama, art, music, PE and Makerspace, and elementary students set their own Focused Learning Goals with parents and teachers. Middle schoolers follow math pathways up to Algebra 2, take double-block English and social studies, build skills in 3D modeling, laser cutting, coding and robotics in our Fab Lab, and spend three two-week Intersessions a year on real-world projects. Students with IEPs or 504 plans receive push-in and pull-out services, English learners get integrated and designated support, and mental health counseling is available on site. Middle school clubs include debate, engineering, coding and video editing, and our teams play flag football, basketball and lacrosse. Before- and after-school care runs through our expanded learning program.

Music Together takes place in every Children's House classroom, alongside circle times with books, stories, songs, poems and chants. We offer children choices in mathematics, science, practical life, movement and language arts, using differentiated teaching in a language-rich setting with exposure to two languages. Each child belongs to a small family group, with a teacher who shares updates about the child's day. Our National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited toddler and preschool program includes children with special needs, and we work with families on each child's development. We also run the Children's House Clubhouse for children in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade at Loyola, Springer and Gardner Bullis. Before school care begins at 7:30 a.m.; after school care continues until 6 p.m. Children can join on-campus language, science, sports and scouting activities while in our care, and we offer care during school-year breaks. Children's House of Los Altos began in 1978 and remains a family-owned program for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Drawn2Art is a distinguished art education program dedicated to nurturing the creative potential of students across various age groups and abilities, including those with unique learning needs. Since its establishment in 1986, this family-owned and operated school has focused on delivering high-quality, skill-based instruction in realistic drawing, painting, and clay sculpture. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to enhance visual intelligence by teaching students to recognize lines, shapes, colors, and tones in their environment. Through engaging art activities, students not only develop fine motor skills essential for their growth but also experience improvements in academic performance; research indicates that involvement in the arts correlates with higher test scores and greater recognition for academic achievements. The school's commitment to individualized learning is further exemplified by its low student-teacher ratio, which fosters strong relationships between educators and families. Unique community events and a responsive curriculum that evolves based on feedback from both teachers and students set Drawn2Art apart as a leader in art education. This enriching environment empowers children to cultivate self-motivation and personal pride through their artistic endeavors while promoting essential life skills that extend beyond the classroom.