About Us

WELCOME TO THE LAUREATE

Since the era of Apollo in Ancient Greece, the “laureate” has been a person honored for distinguished scholarship or achievement. Our work together as parents, students, teachers, and administrators will provide your children the finest educational experience available in our current time as we prepare them for fulfilling lives within their own era.

THE LAUREATE VISION

The Laureate School strives to become a leader in education and to serve as a model for schools throughout the country and world in preparing students to be stewards, leaders, and citizens of the 21st century.

THE LAUREATE MISSION

The Mission of the Laureate School is to provide a progressive education that develops key competencies necessary for full and rewarding participation in an increasingly global future. Differentiated, project-based learning that develops critical thinking, along with coursework in the arts, technology, and foreign language, and a school-wide character program equip students for enriched, successful lives in the 21^st century.

THE LAUREATE MOTTO

“preparing students for success in a global 21^st century”

HISTORY

In July of 1981, Jeannine Schmid, Ph.D. and Laura C. Lehmann began a preschool for children aged 2 to 6 in a small private house on Mill Street in San Luis Obispo. The small group of 14 children soon grew and a second classroom was opened at the old Emerson Public School, where, a year later, the two classes were merged. The Laureate elementary and middle school was added in January 1986 when The Laureate Corporation purchased Alta Vista School from Elinor and Irvin Kogan. The Laureate Private School was housed in the west wing of the former San Luis Junior High School for eight years while a school site-search was conducted and the school’s new campus was planned and constructed. The Laureate moved to its permanent location at 880 Laureate Lane on 10 country acres at the foot of Bishop’s Peak in 1994. In June 1998, founder Jeannine Schmid retired and Laura C. Lehmann became principal of the school. Under Ms. Lehmann’s direction, the school grew in prominence, drawing students from Paso Robles to Arroyo Grande. A new chapter in The Laureate’s history began in 2006 as Laura Lehmann began preparing the school for her own retirement and EUCASIA SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE, INC. discovered The Laureate. After several months of mutual discovery, both parties became convinced that the school’s comprehensive research-based program was an excellent fit for Eucasia's emphasis on 21^st century education. In 2007 Eucasia purchased The Laureate School, formally dropping “Private” from its name. Roz Reymers joined the school that year, contributing 25 years experience of independent school curriculum and program development within Bay Area schools, and became Head of School in 2008. Working with the school’s talented and enthusiastic staff to implement expanded practices and programs, The Laureate continues the tradition of the “laureate” of old, graduating students distinguished for scholarship and achievement among the top performing private schools nationally.