Welcome back!
Over the years, The First School has grown in many ways. The school has expanded in size, and our facilities have had a few makeovers. Still, I’m most proud of the strong sense of community among First School families and our ongoing tradition of community outreach. The generosity and involvement of our families are amazing. I hope that our alumni network will help many of you stay in touch.
I look forward to welcoming many of you back to The First School as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. We are looking to reconnect with alumni and open our community events to celebrate this milestone and look back on the special memories we share.
Warmly,
Kim Israel
Let’s Celebrate
We hope you will join us for a 50th-year celebration on Saturday, May 9th at 7 pm at The Penmar. We will enjoy a light meal, drinks, and a walk down memory lane.
Let’s Catch Up
As we celebrate 50 years of The First School, we’re reconnecting with the families who helped shape our story. We’ve been gathering student information dating all the way back to the 1980s—and as you might imagine, email addresses weren’t exactly a thing yet. To help us stay connected and share future celebrations, stories, and milestones, please take a moment to enter your email below.
While you’re here, we’d love to hear what life has looked like after preschool. Where has your journey taken you? Big moves, little moments, proud milestones—we want it all! Your update helps bring our 50-year story to life.
Be sure to check out our alumni spotlights below for a peek at what other First School families have been up to. We hope they make you smile—and maybe even inspire you to share your own chapter.
Alumni spotlight
Megan Early
“It has been a dream reliving warm memories and watching as my two children now share those same experiences: a welcoming hug at drop off, "cooking" elaborate sand meals beneath the play structure on the yard, tape notes on shirts with important moments of the day, singing "make new friends" on the stage at Broadway. This song rings so true for us: my best friend from The First School is still my closest friend and the same is currently true for my son. “
Zachary Orell
“From the very beginning, we felt the warmth and connection that make The First School such a gem in Santa Monica. On Parker’s first day, Teacher Mani immediately recognized his eyes and commented on how much he looks like me. That moment was such a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds this school creates.”
Rosemary Miller
“What I remember most from my time as a preschooler at The First School is not a single moment or event, but a feeling—a deep sense of happiness and freedom to explore and create.”
Katie Jackson
“The same magical red train still stands proudly at the Ocean Park campus, bikes and strollers still surround the tree, the giggles and laughter sound almost identical and Charlie, the famous tortoise, still trails behind excited toddlers.”
Jenny Dare Paulin
“The warmth and emotional safety of The First School gave me the space and confidence to try, and test, and explore friendship and identity. It gave me a place to build some of the foundational elements of who I am today.”
Angela Kay
“The magic of The First School has stayed true to its core: a play based pre-school where our children learn to fill their tool box positively, with kindness, learning health coping skills and truly being developmentally prepared to enter the world.“
The History of The First School
Ellie Spezell, 1920 - 2018
While Ellie is no longer with us, her spirit continues to shine brightly throughout all three of our campuses. Her laughter, her stories, and her deep love for children and early education are woven into the fabric of our school. Ellie believed in seeing each child as an individual and helping them grow in their own unique way. Her creative approaches and heartfelt dedication continue to guide our teachers every day.
We honor her lasting impact with gratitude and affection. Her presence can be felt in every classroom and every joyful moment of discovery.
Where it all started….
In 1975, Ellie and Ben Spezell started a small, innovative preschool in a storefront that had been a taco stand on Olympic Boulevard. They created a curriculum based on respect for each child’s unique personality and developmental level. They focused on helping students separate from home and enter the world with security, confidence and a joy of learning. Ellie and Ben envisioned an inclusive school community that fostered the type of friendships and support systems needed by families with young children.
Where we are now….
We are proud to have grown to 150 students across our three campuses, Ocean Park, Broadway, and Pine Street, each with students thriving.
Over the past 50 years, we've embraced many changes but the heart of our mission stays the same: our commitment to the needs of children. Our dedication to nuturing young minds stays true to our core philosophy, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported on their unique journey.
We cherish our foundational philosophy while evolving to provide children with opportunities that prepare them for life beyond preschool.
