Our Foundation
For 55 years, Carden Conejo School has proudly served families across the Conejo Valley and surrounding communities, offering an enriching, non-sectarian education for students in Preschool through Middle School.
Founded in 1971 by Mary Carpenter and Thelma Sitton as the Carden Junior School of Thousand Oaks, a sister school to Viewpoint School in Calabasas, Carden Conejo was born from a shared vision to bring the Carden Method and a joyful approach to learning to the Conejo Valley. Over time, the school evolved into a vibrant, independent community rooted in the timeless traditions of the Carden philosophy. While it began as an extension of Viewpoint’s vision, Carden Conejo School soon developed its own distinct identity, defined by small class sizes, academic excellence, and a deep focus on character, confidence, and compassion.
Carden Conejo School adheres to the educational philosophy of Miss Mae Carden, who believed that true learning engages both the heart and the mind. A Vassar graduate with a Master’s in Education from Columbia University, Miss Carden developed her method in response to the unstructured teaching practices of her time. She believed that learning should be joyful, language should be clear, and every child should be guided with purpose and respect.
Miss Carden created a comprehensive, sequential curriculum rooted in phonics, clarity of thought, and character development. Her success led to the founding of the Carden Educational Foundation, which continues to share her method with schools across the world.
The Carden Method fosters analytical and organized thinking while cultivating creativity, confidence, and strong communication skills. Each child is recognized as a unique individual whose curiosity and potential are nurtured each day. Guided by the core values of respect, integrity, and kindness, Carden Conejo honors its founders’ legacy while embracing innovation - blending time-tested principles with modern educational approaches. We proudly uphold Mae Carden’s vision through small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a whole-child approach that allows our students to grow into compassionate, capable, and confident individuals who learn with joy and lead with purpose.
Our vision
A School
where timeless values guide academic and personal growth
A Community
where respect, kindness, and integrity shape relationships
A World
where Carde students lead with wisdom, purpose, and heart
Objective
To create a nurturing, developmentally appropriate early childhood and formative academic program that foster joyful learning and whole growth.
