Award‑Winning Preschool • Lifetime Achievement Green Difference Award Winner • Best Preschool in Highland Park 2026 • Best Rated Preschool 2025
Our Mission
The health of the Earth and the health of People are
tightly interconnected.
At Phoenix Global Green School, our mission is to nurture each child through a holistic educational approach where learning is meaningful, interconnected, and rooted in real-life experiences. From an early age, children are guided to become curious thinkers, responsible individuals, and engaged members of their community and the wider world.
We believe children thrive when nature, language, creativity, science, and exploration are part of their daily environment. Our approach supports the development of the whole child—emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically.
Multilingual Learning
We believe children are naturally capable of becoming multilingual learners. A strong foundation in their first language is essential for identity, confidence, and literacy. English is supported and strengthened while additional languages are introduced through gentle immersion, allowing children to grow as confident communicators in a diverse world.
Sustainability & Nature Connection
Children develop a deep respect for the environment through daily experiences connected to nature, learning to care for the planet in simple and meaningful ways.
Creativity & Expression
Art, music, movement, and hands-on exploration encourage imagination, self-expression, and joyful discovery.
Science & Discovery
Through observation, experimentation, and inquiry, children naturally develop curiosity and an understanding of how the world works.
Community
We foster a warm, inclusive environment where children and families feel connected, supported, and part of a shared educational journey.
Together, these pillars create a learning experience where nature, creativity, science, language, and community come together to support each child’s growth with confidence, curiosity, and care for the world around them.
Our Philosophy
There is no place like a second home
Phoenix Global Green School (PGGS) is a green and multilingual preschool offering a holistic educational experience rooted in nature, creativity, and the well-being of each child.
Our philosophy is based on a balanced approach that combines multilingual learning, environmental awareness, and a deep respect for each child’s development and individuality.
Located in a beautiful 1905 historic home surrounded by greenery, PGGS provides a warm, home-like environment on a spacious 9,000 sq ft property with both indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
Children benefit from three distinct classroom environments indoors, as well as a large backyard with two outdoor learning areas that encourage exploration, creativity, and connection with nature.
With small groups of around 12 children and a dedicated international teaching team, PGGS offers a peaceful and nurturing “secret garden” where children are supported to grow, learn, and thrive.
Our Four Core Pillars
At Phoenix Global Green School, our approach is built around four core pillars: Multilingual Learning, Sustainability, Creativity, and Community. Together, they create a joyful and nurturing environment where children and families feel connected, supported, and inspired to thrive.
All day, every day, students are immersed in French and Spanish, with instructions and lessons provided in both languages. We also provide Mandarin classes throughout the week.
We use recycled materials and eco-friendly products, integrate environmental education, and spend most of the day outside. We also provide organic vegan meals and snacks, made fresh from scratch daily for our little learners.
Our students go beyond macaroni art (though we do that, too!). Hands-on music and dance instruction by a professional vocal coach fosters kids’ creativity, and they wow us in seasonal performances, complete with hand-crafted costumes and sets.
We bring families together with performances, a Halloween parade, Mother’s Day garden tea parties, book fairs, and more—so school feels like a joyful second home for everyone.
What Our Families Say
Words from Phoenix parents and caregivers.
"I could not have dreamed up a better school!! The children learn how to care for their environment and their community through hands on experiences like gardening, cooking, dancing, singing, language acquisition, group art projects and many other amazing activities! They are fed home cooked organic meals and are nurtured by every teacher on staff. I am thrilled with the school's individualized approach to dealing with altercations. Celine and the staff truly understand that not all children are the same and they do the best they can honor each child's unique qualities and methods of learning.
I LOVE this school.
Alyra B.
'Excellent preschool care. Teachers, staff and director are all extremely engaged and our daughter is incredibly happy with her teachers and her friends! The playtime and curriculum balance really considers the needs of growing toddlers. We love the multi-lingual focus, our daughter sings songs in French, Spanish, and Mandarin. All the teachers are so welcoming and loving. Like all toddlers, our daughter had a tough time transitioning the first few months of group school and everyone was there to help her. Now she loves going everyday. I love the photo updates we receive throughout the day.'
— Caroline C.
Look no more. This is the absolute best school. Céline (school director) is passionate about child education in a culturally diverse and GREEN atmosphere. This is our third year as part of this school community, and it feels like having a second home for our kids.
They learn four different languages (french, spanish, mandarin and english), have baking classes, they garden, do yoga, dance, sing, and the art is absolutely amazing and so creative. The academics is also top notch, my kids can sing, count and express themselves in multiple languages. And everything is taught in such fun and creative ways. They have outdoor classrooms which we love (as well as indoors when it rains etc). They make a big point in using recycled material, and make their own costumes for school shows with recycled cardboard etc. I am blown away by the creativity that the staff shows year after year.
Celine ensures a warm and caring environment for kids and teachers, and families. I love getting throughout the day pictures and videos of the kids. We also get lesson plans each day, and links to resources of activities to do at home. Twice a year they organize a one on one teacher/parents meeting to talk about the progress our kids are doing at school.
Our son left this year as he started kindergarten in another school. He misses PGGS so much, the community of friends he built there, but also the bond he rapidly developed with the wonderful and caring teachers. Our daughter (3) is still enrolled full time at PGGS, and will be there for another two years. Thank god. I am not ready to say goodbye to this school, and its wonderful community.
Christine S.
"When I first visited Phoenix Global Green School I immediately fell in love with the place. Everything, from the wooden furniture and toys, real plates and glasses that the children eat from, an incredibly healthy and delicious diet to the amazing multilingual program, appealed to me. The teachers are very friendly and approachable, it was obvious that they enjoy working at Celine's school and bring a lot of fun and a wealth of teaching experience to the program. I haven't found another school in LA that introduces pre-k kids to three languages. Having done my own research and spoken to a UCSB linguist, I can only applaud Celine for choosing the multilingual approach. It is incredibly beneficial for children of such young age to hear and speak different languages. In fact, it is the most efficient and successful way to have your child become fluent in one or several languages. I highly recommend the school."
— Martina N.
We sent our daughter here after a less than great experience somewhere else in the neighborhood. Our daughter has absolutely blossomed. Ms Celine and the other teachers are so caring and nurturing. Our daughter already spoke Spanish and has been able to continue with Spanish while learning French too. She looks forward to school every day and it's a truly wonderful community. The outdoor space is great. Strong recommend to anyone looking for a good place for
their kids to develop.
"My grandson attends this wonderful school. He now understands French, sings in Spanish and French, loves to garden, eats healthy, and loves going to school everyday. Celine and her staff are absolutely wonderful in every respect. I love to see the workbook that comes home at the end of the term full of precious drawings, learning experiences and photos. They also are taught dance from different countries and put on a performance once a year. I highly recommend Phoenix Global Green School if you are looking for a great learning experience and a safe place for your child."
— Linda E.
"Amazing school, we are so lucky to have our daughter there!"
— Stephanie R.
'Fantastic preschool with a great set of teachers and a lovely learning environment for children. Highly recommend if you’re ready to send your little one off to school. The language exposure has been great for our daughter and she enjoys all the music, gardening and baking activities. Bonus: all meals and snacks are provided by the school.'
— Mark C.
Phoenix is a wonderful place, our daughter is so happy there. It's a vibrant, thoughtful and creative environment. The teachers are very dedicated and put so much into the lessons and projects. The director, Celine, has a passion that is contagious. The language exposure is incredible and so fun to watch (as a family who doesn't speak any of the other languages at home). To watch your child run into school in the morning with a smile on her face is a gift! Not having to pack a lunch-also a gift.
Green Business Certification by the City of Los Angeles
Official recognition for our green, high‑quality preschool program.
United States House of Representatives, Certificate of Recognition
This Certificate of Recognition from the United States House of Representatives honors Celine Chouteau, Founder and Director of Phoenix Global Green School, for her decades-long commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and compassionate, future-focused education. It was presented on behalf of California’s 34th Congressional District in connection with her Lifetime Achievement Award from Project Green Schools. This recognition highlights the school’s leadership in green education and its positive impact on children, families, and
the Highland Park community.
Lifetime Achievement Award Green Difference 2026
Céline, Founder and Director of Phoenix Global Green School, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Green Education by Project Green Schools as part of the Green Difference Awards. This international recognition celebrates more than 30 years of dedication to environmental education, including over 20 years as a librarian, school media specialist, and environmental educator in France and the United States, and 14 years leading Phoenix Global Green School in Los Angeles.
A pioneer in sustainability-focused early childhood education, Céline founded Phoenix Global Green School in 2012 as one of the nation's first multilingual, environmentally focused, and fully plant-based preschools. Through hands-on gardening, USDA organic meals prepared from scratch, environmental literacy, and multilingual learning, she has inspired hundreds of children and families to develop a lifelong connection to nature, health, and global citizenship.
"Education should not only teach children about the world—it should help them care for it."
