The Grauer School Building 2

The Grauer School (a 501c3 public charity, WASC accredited) is one of San Diego’s premier prep schools and the longest serving North County San Diego independent school. We were founded in 1991 by Dr. Stuart Grauer “to give voices to local teens.” Our motto is “Learn by Discovery®” and our grades 7 - 12 students have matriculated to the nation’s finest colleges and universities. School is in session from late August through mid-June, plus open enrollment summer sessions.

The campus is set on six green acres in coastal Encinitas, CA, about one-third of that being left for native habitat and wildlife with interpretive nature trails throughout. Our campus and diverse programs accommodate approximately 200 engaged and connected students and teachers (including approximately 150 students and 35 teachers, plus 10 support staff and various specialty contractors). A minimal building footprint and low-emitting materials are featured in The Grauer School buildings. The Grauer School’s campus features two gardens, an orchard and a two-acre wildlife preserve with walking trails. LEED certification was pursued as a way of both conserving energy and setting a role model for students and the community.

The LEED project, led by project manager and Grauer board member David Meyer, completed in 2016, is two-stories, wrapping around a green quad with a water feature and 100% water retention. The Grauer School earned Gold certification by including rooftop solar panels, highly efficient HVAC and increased green space. Included are eight classrooms targeting spacious use for around 15 students each. Additionally, four smaller seminar rooms, three two-person offices, and three one-person offices add flexibility of use. The southernmost building features a solar array powering at least 30 percent of the total school’s electrical needs. This project capped 26 years of development towards final completion of our campus.

The Grauer School was also recognized for using its sustainable campus as a teaching tool. The school features award-winning environmental and outdoor education components across the grades and curriculum.

Grauer is a coastal gem that allows for the deep engagement and personal attention that has been largely lost in secondary schools nationwide. Backed by many years of research, families in schools with fewer than 200 students find that students thrive because they are better able to connect with each other and with their teachers. We are global leaders in the rapidly growing small schools movement.