Head of School
For the past 21 years, Carlthorp School's administration has been led by our beloved Head of School, Dee Menzies - once a Carlthorp School student herself. Mrs. Menzies' career in education began 34 years ago. Upon receiving a B.S., M.A., and California Life Credential from California State University, San Luis Obispo, Mrs. Menzies began her teaching career in middle school Math and Science in 1969. Following nearly a decade of teaching Math, Science, and English at Marymount Junior School, Mrs. Menzies joined the staff of Carthorp School in 1983.

Mrs. Menzies has seen Carlthorp School grow from a one-room, Spanish-style schoolhouse to the flourishing school it is today. She remains in close contact with Mercedes Thorp, one of the original co-founders of our school. Under Mrs. Menzies’ guidance, Carlthorp School has rebuilt its multi-million dollar, three-level facilities, doubled in size of enrollment, and cultivated a talented staff of nearly 70 that includes a credentialed teacher and teaching assistant for every classroom. Last spring, Mrs. Menzies led the school to surpass the five million dollar initial goal of the first ever Carlthorp School Endowment Campaign.

Mrs. Menzies continues to serve as an advocate for children's issues throughout the community. For fifteen years, she has been actively involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, where she served as the first woman Chairman of the Board of Governors. Currently, Mrs. Menzies is Past President of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, where, in addition to eighteen years of continued service, she has served as the first woman President. A member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Monica Family YMCA, Mrs. Menzies has been affiliated with the youth organization for nearly two decades. In addition to being named Santa Monica YWCA Woman of the Year, she has also been named Citizen of the Year by the National Conference. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Santa Monica Bank, Mrs. Menzies is currently a Trustee for First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, and is also one of the founding members of the Everychild Foundation.


Assistant Head of School
Allison Sostchen has served as the Assistant Head of Carlthorp School for three years. Aside from a B.A. from U.C.L.A. in Anthropology, and a Special Ed. DLAP, Mrs. Sostchen has also received a M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University, and a M.A. from Northridge, in Education-Administration-Education Leadership & Policy Studies.

Mrs. Sostchen's extensive credentials include California Clear Teaching K-9 and California Clear Professional Level Administration. With more than a decade of teaching experience, Mrs. Sostchen has served as a K-5 instructor, Bilingual Coordinator, Gifted Magnet Coordinator, D.A.T.E. Coordinator, Technology Coordinator, ELPS Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Assistant Head of School. At Carlthorp School, Mrs. Sostchen plays a supportive role to Mrs. Menzies in everything from overseeing the development and articulation of the curriculum, to the after-school program, special student programs and events, the weekly newsletter, and many of the day-to-day happenings at the school.


Vice-Principal
Patricia E. Yahnke, Vice Principal of Carlthorp School, has 26 years of teaching experience, having served as a Vice Principal for 13 years, and a Principal for 9 years. Ms. Yahnke has been with Carlthorp School for the past 11 years. After receiving a B.A. from Marymount College, and a M.A. from Seattle University, Ms. Yahnke enjoyed more than 15 years teaching lower and middle school social studies, English, math, history and religion.

Following many years in the classroom, Ms. Yahnke was the Principal of Marymount Junior School from 1975 to 1984, when she followed Mrs. Menzies to Carlthorp School. Currently, Ms. Yahnke works in tandem with Mrs. Menzies and Mrs. Sostchen to assist with everything from lesson plans to student records and textbooks. For sixth grade families, Ms. Yahnke oversees the secondary school applications process, assisting parents and students alike as they transition to seventh grade.