In 1970, Carol Proctor Landsberg, Kent Landsberg, and a group of parents and educators began the process of educating (DHH) children with hearing children in a program that became the Echo Center. In 1983, the Landsbergs founded Echo Horizon School to mainstream DHH children with their hearing peers. Fifteen percent of our students are DHH and 85 percent are hearing; this unique program is invaluable to all students. Every student develops empathy, a heartfelt appreciation of difference, and the ability to advocate for self and others. To learn more about the Echo Center, please  click here.

Echo Horizon School has had three heads: Paula Dashiell, Martha Shuur, and our dynamic current Head Peggy Procter. Peggy believes in fostering a close-knit inclusive community: giving young children the space to explore, question, and imagine in a safe environment: and having an academic program that incorporates the best traditional practices with research-based and evidence-tested innovation. 

At Echo Horizon, we foster a balanced education that focuses on what really matters—curiosity, creativity, kindness, collaboration, and instilling in all students a love of learning. Our diverse activities and pedagogies allow time to play, create, listen, focus, work hard, relax, connect, collaborate, and work alone. 

Our unique curriculum combines the “best of both worlds”: the strongest structures and programs of traditional education and the best researched and evidence-tested innovative practices. This ensures that learning is tailored to the needs of the individual student. We honor the different experiences and needs of our students and believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and learning. As students learn and grow, they develop skills and habits of mind that include flexibility, creativity, innovation, collaboration, leadership, and conflict resolution. Such skills are vital and require multidisciplinary understanding, equity, and inclusion.

Fifteen percent of our students are deaf or hard of hearing. They use hearing technology and learn and play alongside their hearing peers. Inclusion and an appreciation of difference are foundations of Echo Horizon learning. Our whole-school program focuses on considering other points of view and perspectives. Students learn to view projects and problems through multiple lenses and understand that solutions often come when people and content from different disciplines and backgrounds are considered and combined. We also believe that deep learning results from the process of introspection followed by iteration. This growth mindset moves the focus away from short-term outcomes towards long-term goals. Equipped with the experience of repeated success in working through challenges, our students can meet what life presents them with uncommon confidence.

Echo Horizon teachers are creative thinkers, innovative instructors, and lifelong learners with a growth mindset. We deeply value these exceptional educators and foster professional growth and learning that continually draws on well-researched, evidence-based teaching best practices.

• Echo Horizon's Inquiry and Innovation Time (i² Time) is a student-choice Maker/STEAM program in which the emphasis is on process, rather than product. Students solve problems by designing for others and learn by experimenting, making mistakes, and trying again.
• Library: Our beautiful library houses a collection of over 17,000 titles. Children visit the library weekly for story time, book talks, instruction in library skills, and of course, reading! We have student-initiated book clubs, author talks, and book awards.
• Sports and Wellness: Our experienced educators help students lead physically active and emotionally healthy lives with activities and courses designed for varying developmental levels within each grade. We believe physical, mental, and emotional wellness are all vital in helping students become their best selves.
• We have sports teams for grades 4­–6 in basketball, volleyball, track and field, and soccer. Students also have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic competition as part of the Coastal Canyon League. Practices and competitions each take place once a week.
• Arts/ALAS: Grades Pre-K–2 learn Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Music while working collaboratively and developing self expression. Our ALAS Program for grades 3–6 combines Spanish Language and Cultures, Global Visual Arts, and Global Performing Arts with outreach and service. 

Our Pre-K program is beneficial for students who may be ready for more than preschool offers, but are not old enough for Kindergarten—or for children who are old enough for Kindergarten, but need another year to mature and grow. We have an emphasis on social-emotional learning in Pre-K. Our youngest scholars learn how to get along with others, appreciate differences, and develop confidence in their abilities. The routines and procedures of a day at school help ensure a smooth transition to Kindergarten.

Our Kindergarten students are immersed in a developmentally appropriate academic and social-emotional curriculum tied to dynamic themes and skill sets. Students apply what they learn in their classroom to what they learn in Visual Art, STEAM, and beyond. Their learning continues as they develop social skills and an understanding of what it means to be a community member at Echo Horizon. Our Kindergarteners build self-confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how to navigate their emotions as they develop as readers, writers, thinkers, and creative problem solvers.

Echo Horizon’s AfterSchool Enrichment and Recreation program helps students develop—physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Children take part in a balanced, sequential program of age-appropriate activities such as fitness, cooperative games, and cultural projects. They learn and practice invaluable life skills such as respect, responsibility, empathy, and fair play while having a great time and making friends.

“To discipline” means “to train, to teach.” At Echo Horizon School, rules and procedures are carefully taught and practiced. Teachers and staff are always present, in the classroom and in the playground, with children so they are able to give appropriate feedback in a positive way. This increases productive behavior and minimizes the need for negative consequences.

Narrative reporting occurs three times a year. Our fall and spring reporting are augmented by conferences between parents and teacher. In the upper grades, students are invited to participate in the spring reporting. Teachers and parents enjoy ongoing communication as necessary through email and in-person communication. The Head of School reviews all narrative reports for every student.

Our Echo Center provides a national recognized auditory-verbal mainstream program for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, who are integrated into regular classrooms and learn along with their hearing peers. Echo Center students receive the support they need to be successful from Echo Center teachers, who are trained in DHH education. 

Echo Horizon graduates embark on the next stage of their academic journey with strong academic skills, confidence, empathy, curiosity, and a love of learning. The schools our students matriculate to include Archer, Brentwood, Buckley, Crossroads, Geffen, Harvard-Westlake, Marlborough, New Roads, Oakwood, Wildwood, and Windward among others.

What makes Echo Horizon School distinct among independent elementary schools?

• We have a diverse and inclusive community that values kindness, caring, and empathy.
• Our exceptional teachers provide transformative learning.
• Our Social-Emotional Learning Program nurtures each child's character and ethical compass and develops social-emotional skills.
• The principles of design thinking—problem-solve, experiment, try again—are infused throughout the curriculum.
• We are an Apple Distinguished School, recognized for our innovative use and seamless integration of technology into the curriculum.