Carlthorp School

Carlthorp School is a secular, independent day school in Santa Monica, California. It serves between 200 and 300 students across the elementary grades. The school has no religious affiliation and builds its program around academic habits, a Spanish language track, and clear expectations around student behavior and work.

Day school teaching in Santa Monica is a different deal than boarding school life. There are no dorm duties and no residential obligations. Teachers focus on the classroom, on student families, and on a small grade-level team. Because enrollment stays under 300, one teacher can shape how a whole grade cohort reads, writes, or picks up a second language. That kind of reach is harder to find in a larger school.

Carlthorp's finances point to real stability. The school carries net assets above $40 million against annual revenue near $14 million. Fundraising grew close to 10 percent in the most recent year on record. For candidates weighing job security, those numbers matter. Independent day school faculty jobs in Santa Monica typically come with salaries that reflect California's cost of living, plus benefits such as health coverage and retirement contributions.

Carlthorp School hires for elementary classroom positions, Spanish instruction, and administrative or support roles. Most faculty openings are posted in spring for the next academic year. Staff and operational roles can open at any time.

Teachers who want a small, financially sound California day school without a residential commitment will find a focused environment here. Santa Monica is one of the more livable urban settings in the state, and the school's stable ranking trajectory adds to the appeal.