A UCLA-Affiliated Independent School in Los Angeles, CA

Welcome to Geffen Academy

Geffen Academy at UCLA is a university-affiliated school for students in grades 6-12. We value academic depth and inspiration within a humane educational environment. Our community is guided by principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Geffen Academy students are encouraged to be questioners, analysts, and presenters, who are creative, collaborative, and active young adults. Our students practice their skills, competencies, and relationships with deliberation.

Geffen Academy graduates believe that knowledge is beautiful, transformative, and relevant to one’s life and civic responsibility in a global community.

Adaptable Learners

The lessons learned in school go far beyond the classroom by adding value and skills in order to adapt throughout every stage of human development. Students will draw upon the full spectrum of knowledge gained at Geffen Academy to become well-rounded individuals who are capable of transferring their experiences into positive outcomes. They will forge a strong interdependence between their cognitive and psychological disciplines to develop resiliency. Students will flourish intellectually, socially, physically, environmentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The successes and balance that Geffen Academy students achieve will be the result of their ability to apply what they learned in school to all areas of their lives.
Persistent Inquirers

Curiosity and the art of asking questions lie at the heart of learning. Persistent inquirers recognize that authentic learning requires consistent, active engagement. Geffen Academy students cultivate a curiosity towards the world and about themselves, seeking problems to solve and pushing boundaries to learn more. As skilled researchers, they are adaptable, adjusting their approaches when additional information is discovered and further questions arise.
Compassionate Partners

As a UCLA-affiliated school we value the relationships that emerge from a close proximity to the university. We value the facilities and cultural institutions bordering our campus and look to connect students with the world beyond their school and communities. As such, Geffen Academy students will be compassionate partners to their peers, school community, university, local, and global partners.
Thinkers & Creators

Individuals who make an impact on their communities are both thinkers and creators. Working from a solid foundation of acquired knowledge, they dare to enact novel solutions to complex problems. A challenging, content-rich, individualized curriculum prepares Geffen Academy students for such thoughtful action and leads them to embrace a life both contemplative and active. As they cultivate the traits of honesty and kindness and acquire the habits of reflection and reasoned judgement, students become better equipped to considerately act in a complex and changing world.
Powerful Communicators

Communication has and continues to be at the heart of human selfhood and mutual understanding. Powerful communicators express themselves with kind eloquence, listen with intent, and shift perspectives to understand and engage diverse audiences through effective mediums. Students master a broad range of communication arts not just as a means of participating in the exchange of information but also as avenues to self-expression, self-discovery, self-formation, and social action. Aware that a mode of communication is never neutral, students investigate the subtle interplay of audience, form, and content.

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List of 1 news stories.

Meals With Your People: Taking A Bite Out of the Proverbial Apple
10/7/2024
by Dr. Sibyll Carnochan Catalan, Founding Head of School

I’m delighted to say that I have found the start of the 2024-25 school year to be wonderful — exciting, calm, and connected all at once. From our first days in August, when I saw so many of you on the front steps, to now some four weeks later, as I greet kids in the stairwell in the mornings, I see students connected to each other, connected to their classes, and connected to their goals and hopes for the year.

One of the many places I see these connections is at our shared lunch, with hot food and a great new salad bar. I would like to take a moment to reflect on our lunchtime and the fact that students do not use their phones during the day.

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List of 1 news stories.

Geffen Academy Engineering and Design Students at Work
10/7/2024
At the start of the school year, Campus Operations Manager Mike Strazzeri had a problem to solve. A tiny part that bolts together our outdoor chairs had seen better days after seven years of sunshine and steady use. More than one part had broken or cracked and the replacement part cost $50 each. He reached out to I-Track Educator Stefan Grunspan and asked Mr. Grunspan if he could use the 3D printers at Geffen Academy to come up with a part that was durable but also less expensive. After working through his own prototype, Mr. Grunspan decided to pose this design challenge to his Advanced Engineering and Design students when they returned to school.
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List of 1 news stories.

Academic Lab and Office Hours: Cornerstones of Geffen Academy’s Culture of Care and Learning
10/7/2024
By Stacey Jasper, Middle School Academic Dean

At Geffen Academy, Academic Lab and Office Hours are more than just support mechanisms; they embody our culture of care and kindness and align seamlessly with our school-wide learning goals. These H Block offerings are designed to foster an environment where students feel supported, understood, and empowered to achieve their academic potential.

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