Learning Castle and La Canada Prep Commemorate Thirtieth Year

The Learning Castle (TK-3), founded in 1992 by Terry Villanueva, and La Cañada Preparatory (4-8), added in 2003, have grown into two of the most successful private, non-sectarian elementary and middle schools in the San Gabriel Valley.  The schools attribute much of their success and longevity to the founding principle that students are individuals with unique talents and gifts and should be treated and taught as such.  Combine that with teachers who specialize, individualized curriculum and low teacher-to-student ratios, and you have a recipe for accelerated learning.

The anniversary gala began with a cocktail reception before attendees sat down for dinner. Herick Serna was the DJ for the evening while casino gaming commenced in the lounge area.  Silent and live auctions added an additional excitement to the night with over sixty items up for auction; including a one-of-kind autographed Lionel Messi jersey from his final match with FC Barcelona, the legendary Spanish football club.

The main event of the evening was to recognize Ms. Villanueva and her thirty years of passionate dedication to the schools she founded.   Teachers, students and parents, past and present, expressed their gratitude for and admiration of Miss Terry, in both in-person and videotaped testimonials.

“Teaching is a calling requiring passion, acumen, intuition, and compassion,” Ms. Villanueva wrote in the evening’s program. “And a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.”