Mission Statement

The Gooden School offers a firm educational foundation, using both traditional and progressive approaches. Our nurturing community allows students opportunities to grow in body, mind and spirit, to gain confidence, and to discover their unique gifts. We value diversity and promote character development and responsibility within a framework of Episcopal values. We foster a life-long commitment to learning, to compassion and to service by emphasizing …

Respect for self, Respect for others, and Respect for the world. 



School Philosophy


Located in Sierra Madre and serving families living in San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena, The Gooden School believes all students in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school possess gifts that are manifested in many ways throughout their years at our independent school. These gifts may be discovered or enhanced through academic excellence, musical, artistic or dramatic ability or through sports endeavors. It is a primary objective of faculty and staff to provide avenues that will allow all students to discover their gifts - those personal traits that make each member of our independent school community unique. 

Also, we believe in the education of the whole child by providing a rich, balanced program that allows for a variety of learning styles. A learning environment that is varied and creative involves all students and invites them to participate actively, learning to relate their classroom experiences to their personal lives.

Our school motto is “Respect for self, Respect for others, and Respect for the world,” also known as “The Three R’s.” This simple creed guides kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students, faculty, and staff through our daily lives at Gooden. The virtue of respect is instilled at all grade levels. Students learn the important role that respect plays in our relationships with others and in all of our activities at school. As educators, we strive to teach students to take responsibility for their choices, knowing that all choices have consequences. Students at Gooden are shepherded through these decisions, reminded that they are in a safe place to make all kinds of choices and to know, most of all, that they are in a private school community that cares for them and their individuality.