Our School Home / About Us / Our School Van Avery Prep in Temecula, CA At our school, we don’t just teach—we transform how children learn and grow. As one of the best private elementary and middle schools in Temecula, we are proud to give your child an experience that no other school can match. Our commitment to exceptional academics and student-centered learning ensures every child is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are proud to be fully accredited by the National Private Schools Accreditation Group. Our teachers create a vibrant, supportive space where our students feel safe, excited, and ready to learn. We teach them to be independent and motivated, helping them build a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Through hands-on activities, exciting lessons, and the latest technology, we prepare your child for the future. Here, your child won’t just meet expectations; they will exceed them. Explore Our Curriculum Address 29851 Santiago Road Temecula, CA 92592 Phone (951) 309-9338 Hours M-F 6:30 AM - 5:45 PM Grades Kindergarten — 8th Grade Before & After Care Summer Camp Our Mission & Values We believe that students develop character and learn to become independent thinkers through a mix of academic enrichment and participation in athletics and the arts. We believe in providing teachers who hold high expectations for all and understand and respect students for their individual strengths. We believe that our students succeed in college and beyond because they strive for excellence, understand the value of hard work, think critically, collaborate, express themselves thoughtfully, and bring out the best in others. We value philanthropic opportunities for our students. We value the diverse perspectives, personalities, and passions of our students. We believe this makes us a place where we can learn from all. We are privileged to be educating the next generation of leaders. We know that their success depends upon their integrity, their capacity for managing complexity, their adaptability and perseverance, and their confidence in taking on new things. We believe in fostering a sense of global awareness, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility. From the Head of School Angela Peña Dear Future Parent, Thank you for your interest in Van Avery Prep, a leading private school in Temecula, California. Since 1987, we have been dedicated to providing exceptional private education from kindergarten through 8th grade. Parents have complimented us on our passionate and dedicated teachers, our strong academics, and our understanding of the needs of each child. At Van Avery Prep, our teachers are passionate and dedicated professionals who bring our well-rounded standards-based curriculum to life with creativity and sensitivity. Our teachers thoughtfully adapt lessons to make sure instruction stays engaging, appropriately challenging, and relevant to every student. Our curriculum is built on rich, challenging content that engages students and instills a lifelong love of learning. We understand that students need more than academic knowledge to thrive, which is why we integrate field trips to help students make real-world connections with the lessons they learn in the classroom. By exploring local resources such as the Old Town Temecula Community Theatre, Western Science Center, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, San Juan Capistrano Mission, SD Maritime Museum, Pali Institute and more, we provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. We believe that children receive the best possible private education when parents are actively involved. To support this partnership, we offer various convenient ways to stay connected, including weekly e-newsletters, family community events, and direct communication with teachers via email. Effective communication among parents, teachers, and staff is a cornerstone of our school community. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a private tour. I look forward to meeting with you, learning about your child’s educational needs, and discussing how we can work together to meet them. Read More Frequently Asked Questions What are the hours of operation at Van Avery Prep? Academic day hours at Van Avery Prep are structured by grade level to reflect the developmental needs of each stage: Kindergarten: 8:30 am to 2:45 pm 1st and 2nd Grade: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm 3rd through 5th Grade: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm 6th through 8th Grade: 7:45 am to 2:45 pm Extended Day care is available from 6:30 am to 5:45 pm for families who need coverage beyond the standard academic hours. What are the benefits of private school? The most meaningful private school education is one that develops students who are academically accomplished, personally grounded, and genuinely prepared for the demands of the next chapter. At Van Avery Prep, that development takes distinctive shape. Our House System builds the kind of teamwork, loyalty, and community identity that students carry with them long after they graduate. Our NFL flag football program brings the values of sportsmanship and athletic discipline to life within an extraordinary partnership. And our outdoor school garden gives students the opportunity to learn science not from a textbook, but from the soil itself. Learn more on our Only At page. What are the benefits of full-day kindergarten? Full-day kindergarten gives children the time they need to settle into the rhythms of school life, build genuine mastery in foundational skills, and develop the social and emotional confidence that comes from belonging to a community day after day. At Van Avery Prep, our kindergarten students engage in a full-day program that brings together core academic instruction in reading and mathematics with specialty classes in music, art, and Spanish. They learn in our on-site garden, connecting classroom science to living, hands-on experience. And they perform, in a holiday show and spring play each year, discovering what it means to prepare for something, to practice, and to shine. These are not incidental moments. They are formative ones. Where can I purchase my child’s uniform and logo wear? Van Avery Prep uniforms and logo wear are available through Tri Lake Sportswear. Please contact our school for current ordering details and any specific uniform requirements for your child’s grade level. What is Van Avery Prep’s average class size? The average class size at Van Avery Prep is 20 to 22 students, intentionally sized to allow teachers to build meaningful relationships with every learner and to maintain the personalized instructional environment that defines a Van Avery education. Beyond the classroom, students have access to our Resource Room, where qualified support staff work with students in small group settings at every level of the learning spectrum. Whether a student is working at an accelerated pace and ready for additional challenge or needs targeted support in a specific area, the Resource Room ensures that no student’s needs are left unmet. Is Van Avery Prep accredited? Yes. Van Avery Prep is fully accredited by the National Private School Accreditation Group (NPSAG), a reflection of our commitment to academic quality, institutional integrity, and the continuous improvement of the educational experience we provide to every student. Do preparatory schools have sports? Yes, and at Van Avery Prep, athletics are a meaningful and intentional part of the full school experience. We believe that the lessons learned on a court, a field, and a team are inseparable from the lessons learned in a classroom. Students at Van Avery Prep can participate in flag football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and more. Learn more about our athletic offerings and what they develop in our students. Can children who are not enrolled join Van Avery Prep camps? Yes. We are proud to welcome children from the broader Temecula community to our camps. Summer camps are open to all children, regardless of enrollment status, and serve as a wonderful opportunity for new families to experience the Van Avery Prep community firsthand. Holiday break camps may be reserved for currently enrolled students depending on availability. We encourage interested families to inquire early. How much does private school cost in Temecula? Private school tuition varies based on factors including location, program type, student age, and schedule. At Van Avery Prep, we are committed to delivering an educational experience that reflects the full depth of what our students receive. For detailed, current tuition and fee information specific to Van Avery Prep, please visit our Tuition page. How does Van Avery Prep compare to surrounding schools? Van Avery Prep offers something that no combination of programs can simply replicate: a unified, purposeful community where academic excellence, character development, athletic engagement, and genuine individualized support are not separate offerings but a single, coherent educational vision. The Van Avery experience is designed to develop students who are ready for everything that comes next. We are proud to be recognized as one of the best private schools in Temecula by Niche. What qualifications do teachers at Van Avery Prep hold? Every teacher at Van Avery Prep holds a degree, ensuring a strong academic foundation for our curriculum. Beyond their formal education, our educators are selected for their ability to balance high-level instruction with the personal, character-driven mentorship that defines our school’s mission. How does Van Avery Prep invest in its teachers’ ongoing growth? We believe that a school is only as strong as its educators. Van Avery Prep invests in ongoing excellence through regular Professional Development days. This commitment ensures our teachers stay current with innovative instructional strategies. Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at Van Avery Prep? While many schools face high turnover, Van Avery Prep is distinguished by the longevity of our staff. Our teachers have an average of 10 years of experience at our school. We are proud to have 12 teachers who have been part of the Van Avery Prep family for over 20 years. What makes teachers at Van Avery Prep exceptional? Teachers at Van Avery Prep are often described by parents and the school community as exceptional, not just because of what they teach, but because of how intentionally they support, connect with, and challenge students as individuals.
