Kindergarten

Our magical kindergarten program creates a joyful foundation where academic curiosity, social-emotional growth, and creative exploration go hand in hand.

A Seamless and Welcoming Transition

With a one-week transition period of half days at the beginning of the school year, an Ice Cream Social, a mentor family/friend, and the help of their beloved 6th Grade buddies, Carlthorp School’s youngest students feel warmly welcomed into our community.

Learning begins each day with a vibrant Morning Meeting, the cornerstone of our Responsive Classroom approach. By balancing positive community-building with academic rigor, we create a safe environment where children take intellectual risks, build empathy, and practice core values of respect, cooperation, creativity, and adaptability.

Shaping Young Minds — One Milestone at a Time

At Carlthorp, kindergarten combines exceptional academics with joyful social growth. In foundational areas like reading and math, children develop critical thinking alongside core values like respect, cooperation, and adaptability. Weekly instruction from specialty teachers in art, music, Spanish, P.E., library, and science enriches their days

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Beloved traditions — including the Teddy Bear Picnic, a visit from Zero the Hero on the 100th day of school, and special activities with 6th grade buddies — bring learning to life in a warm, collaborative community.

Meet the Team

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Taylor Neal

This year marks Taylor's 12th year of teaching. She earned her B.A. in art history from NYU and holds dual master’s degrees in childhood education and special education from Touro College. Taylor is passionate about helping young learners grow, discover their potential, and find joy in the classroom. With a background in both general and art education, she loves blending creativity with foundational skills to create an engaging, expressive learning environment. Throughout her career, she has designed hands-on learning materials, led student-centered workshops, and worked collaboratively to support student success. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, traveling, and painting.
Elizabeth Zapler

Ms. Elizabeth Zapler ("Ms. Zap") is in her ninth year at Carlthorp School, bringing experience and love for children to her role as kindergarten teacher. A Chicago native, Elizabeth received her B.A. from Pomona College, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and an M.A. in teaching from Colorado College.

Elizabeth began her career as a kindergarten teacher, transitioned to developing and teaching elementary science programs at several local schools (including Carlthorp), and returned full circle to kindergarten, a magical time of discovery and exploration. She aims to create a classroom where each child feels known and cherished.

In addition to her kindergarten role, Ms. Zap developed a Math Club for avid and talented CS mathematicians in grades 1-3 that she enjoys leading after school.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her three daughters (two in college and one college graduate), solving crossword puzzles, playing tennis, doing yoga, and practicing Italian.
Holly Hall

Originally from a small town in Ohio called South Point, Holly Hall moved to Los Angeles and brought with her a belief that the classroom should be a place where every child has the opportunity and fuel to flourish — and that teachers can be vital sources of support in children’s social-emotional growth. Holly taught TK for three years in Hollywood before moving to the San Fernando Valley to help launch a public charter school and teach first grade. As a founding teacher, she was able to help create and implement inquiry-based, social-emotional and DEI-focused curriculum and school-wide programs as well as lead professional development in phonics and math. Holly earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ohio University and her California teaching credential from Mount Saint Mary’s University. When she’s not teaching, Holly loves being at the beach, golfing, indulging in self-care manicures, or FaceTiming with her sweet nieces and nephews.
Meghan Wood

Meghan is a third generation Palisadian and excited to join the Carlthorp community after teaching kindergarten at her alma mater, Corpus Christi School, for 19 years. After attending Marymount High School, she received her B.A. at the Boston College Lynch School of Education and received her credential and M.A. at Loyola Marymount University. She was drawn to Carlthorp's description of kindergarten as “magical,” something she aspires to achieve every year with her students. She cannot imagine teaching any other grade! Meghan especially loves teaching students of all levels to read and watching them unlock a whole new world. She works to create play-based multisensory lessons that engage all learners and celebrate special traditions. Kindergarten is a vital year that sets the foundation for educational success and a lifelong love of learning. She strives to create a safe and supportive environment in which children are empowered to challenge themselves to try new and difficult things academically, developmentally and socially. In her free time, Meghan loves taking her nieces and nephews on “aunt adventures,” especially to Disneyland — she is a Disneyland parks expert! In the summers, she is a program director at St. Matthew’s Day Camp and loves vacationing with her family at the St. Lawrence River.