Crane Country Day School

Crane Country Day School
Location
1795 San Leandro Lane Santa Barbara, CA, 93108 USA
Information
Type	Private, Coeducational, Day School, Nonsectarian, Grades K-8, Elementary school, Middle school, Junior High school
Established	1928
Headmaster	Joel Weiss
Grades	K-8
Enrollment	255
Color(s)	Green and White
Athletics	Christian Athletic League
Mascot	Coyotes
Information	[phone]
Website	http://www.craneschool.org

Crane Country Day School, established in 1928 by William D. Crane, is a highly-regarded kindergarten through eighth grade, coeducational private school in Santa Barbara, California, United States.^[1][2]

William D. Crane shared a remarkable vision with founding headmaster F. Arnold Lejeune. Crane has remained true to their vision for the past eight decades, offering rigorous academic programs with hands-on experiences that challenge both the intellect and the imagination.

Crane teaches the whole child. They provide children with opportunities in academics, arts, sports, and community service. Involvement in these activities helps each child discover talents and strengths, which build every child's joy and confidence.

Part of Crane's philosophy is a focus on hard work and personal responsibility. Crane's rigorous academic standards in combination with effective, individualized teaching methods allow them to challenge their students to move to the next level.

Crane seeks to inspire students to develop a deeper understanding of subject matter both in and beyond the classroom. This approach helps ignite children's natural curiosity.

Crane strives to be an inclusive school with economic and racial diversity, where everyone is treated with respect and kindness. Friendships between students at different grade levels, relationships between students and teachers, and a partnership between teachers and parents make Crane a cohesive community. Service learning creates additional ties between their students and the larger community.

Mission statement

"Crane Country Day School is dedicated to providing an experiential education characterized by a thoughtful balance of academic challenge and creative expression.

We thrive as a community that builds character and confidence, while celebrating the joy in learning." ^[3]

Campus

11 acres (45,000 m²); 13 Classrooms, Science Laboratories, Computer Laboratory, Music and Art Buildings, Library, Performing Arts Auditorium, Sports courts, and sports fields.

In 2007, the original classrooms, built in 1928, were demolished, and larger classrooms were built to replace them.^[4]

Unique programs

Crane has a number of unique programs which include daily assembly and "families".^[5]

Daily Assembly

Each day, the school comes together in daily assembly to hear guest speakers, celebrate student accomplishments or to hear an eighth grade student deliver a current event.

Families

Families were created to bring students together from all grades to form a tighter community. As "parents", eighth grade students are given leadership opportunities as the head of their family.

Enrollment

255 in Grades K-8; Lower School – one class per grade level with approximately 20 students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grades. Kindergarten and First Grade classes are taught by two co-teachers; Second through Fourth Grade classes have full-time teachers and half-day assistants; Fifth Grade has two sections with approximately 15 students per section. Upper School – 123 students in grades Six, Seven and Eight, departmentalized with 11 to 18 students per section.

Sports

Crane Upper School participates in a number of competitive sports which include: soccer, basketball, volleyball, surfing, and track and field. Boys and girls compete separately. Crane is a member of the Christian Athletic League which has a number of nonsectarian member schools.

Accreditation

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges^[6]
• California Association of Independent Schools^[7]
• National Association of Independent Schools^[8]

Famous alumni

Notable people who have attended Crane School include:

• David Crosby, musician (Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young)
• Josh Brolin, actor (No Country for Old Men and Milk)
• Adam Duvendeck, two-time Olympic cyclist^[9]

Notes

Specific references

1. ^ "The History of Crane School", Retrieved on March 4, 2009.
2. ^ Calitri, Joanne A. (September 20, 2007). "Our Town - Crane Country Day School". Archive. Montecito Journal. http://www.montecitojournal.net/archive/13/37/1364/. Retrieved May 4, 2011. 
3. ^ "Mission Statement", Retrieved on March 4, 2009.
4. ^ Rodgers, Julia (October 11, 2007). "Crane School Construction Nears Completion". Archive. Montecito Journal. http://www.montecitojournal.net/archive/13/40/1414/. Retrieved May 4, 2011. 
5. ^ "Unique Programs", Retrieved on March 6, 2009.
6. ^ "WASC Member", Retrieved on March 5, 2009.
7. ^ "CAIS Member", Retrieved on March 5, 2009.
8. ^ "NAIS Members", Retrieved on March 5, 2009.
9. ^ "Athletes: Adam Duvendeck". USA Cycling. http://cycling.teamusa.org/athletes/adam-duvendeck. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 

Other sources

• Crane School on Private School Review
• Crane Country Day School on Great Schools

External links

• Crane School website

34°25′28.88″N 119°37′11.36″W / 34.4246889°N 119.6198222°W / 34.4246889; -119.6198222Coordinates: 34°25′28.88″N 119°37′11.36″W / 34.4246889°N 119.6198222°W / 34.4246889; -119.6198222