Joining Growing Place takes two simple steps
Book a free parent tour to see our campuses, then apply to the wait pool for each campus you'd like considered. They're two separate forms, and we'll walk you through both.
Touring and applying are two different things
Many families start with a tour, but you can apply whenever you're ready. Here's how to tell them apart.
Book a free parent tour
Visit a campus, see our classrooms in action, and meet the campus director.
- ✓Always free, about 45 minutes
- ✓Adults only, though infants are welcome in a carrier
- ✓Tour one, two, or all three campuses
- ✓Not required before applying
Good to know: the tour request form does not place your child in the wait pool.
Book a TourApply to the wait pool
This is the official application. It's how your child is considered for a space.
- ✓One application per child, per campus
- ✓$100 fee per campus, nonrefundable
- ✓All three campuses = $300 per child
- ✓Priority deadline Dec 1 · Regular deadline Feb 1
Good to know: each campus keeps its own wait pool, so apply to every campus you'd like considered.
Start Your ApplicationStill exploring? Compare our three campuses or read about our Reggio-inspired approach.
From first visit to first day
-
1Explore
Explore our programs
Learn about our infant, toddler, preschool and TK programs across three campuses.
Optional -
2Tour
Take a free tour
Visit the campuses that fit your child's age and your commute.
Recommended -
3Apply
Apply to each campus
Submit one application per child, per campus, by February 1.
Required -
4Hear back
Get notified
Families are admitted from the wait pool, with notifications sent February 25.
We'll be in touch
Book a free parent tour
Walk through our classrooms, see children at work and play, and ask the campus director anything. Tours are a great way to find the right fit, though they're not required to apply.
Families come to us from across the Westside, including Venice, Mar Vista, Culver City, Brentwood and West LA.
- 1Under "I would like to," tick Schedule a Tour.
- 2Tick each campus you'd like to visit. Families of infants can skip Ocean Park.
- 3We'll reach out to confirm a date. This doesn't start an application.
Already toured, or ready now? Head straight to the application.
Go to Step 2Apply to the wait pool
The application is what places your child in consideration for a space. We admit families from a wait pool rather than in order of application, which helps us build classrooms that reflect the diversity of our community.
You stay in the pool until your child is admitted or you choose to withdraw.
Before you start
- 1One application per childApplying for twins or siblings? Each child needs their own application.
- 2One application per campusEach campus has its own wait pool. Apply to every campus you'd like considered.
- 3$100 per campus, nonrefundableApplying to all three campuses is $300 per child. Fees are waived for Tuition Assistance applicants.
- 4Applications don't transferAn application for one campus can't be moved to another later.
Find the campus that fits your family
Each campus has its own personality, programs and wait pool.
3 moto 5 yrs
Marine Park
Our original campus, offering infant care from 3 months with rolling infant admissions year-round.
2½to 6 yrs
Ocean Park
A full-acre campus built for outdoor exploration, big play and deep projects.
No infant program. Families of infants, please tour Marine Park or the Lab School.
3 moto 6 yrs
Lab School
A LEED-certified campus run in partnership with Santa Monica College, from infancy through TK.
Since our move to Los Angeles two years ago, Growing Place has become our second home. The teachers, administrators, and fellow parents are a family to us. Seeing our children thrive and become community-minded, caring and capable individuals have been the biggest gift the school has given us.Burcin, Growing Place parent
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to tour all three campuses?
No. Tour only the campuses you're seriously considering, whether that's one, two, or all three. Families of infants can skip Ocean Park, which serves children 2½ to 6 and doesn't have an infant program. Infant care from 3 months is offered at Marine Park and the Lab School.
Do I have to take a tour before applying?
No. A tour is recommended but not required. You can submit your application at any time, before or after touring.
Is the tour free? Is the application fee refundable?
Parent tours are always free. The application fee is $100 per campus, per child, and it's nonrefundable. The fee is waived for families applying for Tuition Assistance. See Tuition & Fees for full details.
Does the application fee cover all campuses, or is it per campus?
It's per campus. Each campus has its own wait pool, so you'll submit a separate application and fee for each campus you'd like considered. Applying to all three campuses is $300 per child.
Is the tour request form the same as the application?
No. The tour request form only books a free parent tour. It doesn't place your child in a wait pool. To be considered for enrollment, submit the online application for each campus you're interested in.
When is the application deadline?
For the 2027 to 2028 school year, the priority deadline is December 1, 2026 and the regular deadline is February 1, 2027. The Marine Park infant program accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round. See the full admissions timeline.
More for families
Admissions timeline
Every date from priority deadline to contracts, plus how the wait pool works.
See the timeline →Tuition & assistance
Monthly tuition, one-time fees and Tuition Assistance at Marine Park and the Lab School.
View tuition →Our approach
How our Reggio-inspired, play-based classrooms help children grow.
Explore academics →Parent & Me
Not ready for full-time care? Join our weekly toddler class at Ocean Park.
Learn more →