The Learning Tree Center crest — a schoolhouse beneath a tree The Learning Tree Center Palm Desert · Est. 1979 EN · ES Pay Tuition Book a Tour
Traditions · 2026-2027

The year is full.

Some of these have been running for decades. They are the reason children remember this school, and the reason parents end up knowing each other.

Autumn

How the year opens.

Early fall

Back to School Night

Come and hear how your child’s teacher actually runs their classroom: their objectives, their direction, and what they expect this year. If you go to one evening, make it this one.

October

Halloween Costume Parade and Party

Costumes, make-up and make-believe, with parent volunteers running the parade. Every student gets a participation ribbon, trick-or-treat safety is covered, and the day ends with a classroom party.

Fall and spring

Book Fairs

Three a week-long fairs a year with Scholastic: best sellers, award winners and the classics. The third one is buy one, get one free.

Fall and spring

Fundraisers

Run together by the Student Senate and the administration to pay for programs the tuition does not cover. Students sell the items and earn prizes for it.

Winter

The big one.

December

Winter Wonderland

Cartoon and movie characters to have your picture taken with, food truck vendors, a cake walk, face painting, bouncy houses and a silent auction. The music recorded at Family Fun Night is played here.

December

Winter Family Fun Night

Music is still alive at this school. Every class performs during December for families and friends, and the performances are recorded to be enjoyed again at Winter Wonderland.

All year

Classroom parties

Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and the New Year, Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, the spring holiday and more. Gift exchanges, appreciation, and learning to think about other people.

Spring

Outside, mostly.

Spring

Grandparent’s Day

Students invite their grandparents for a visit and lunch on the front lawn, with entertainment and refreshments.

Spring

Beyond the Bell campout

A tradition second to none. Elementary students and their parent chaperones spend the evening together from 6:00 p.m., with a catered meal, a theatrical performance and a carnival with food, games and prizes.

Spring

Science Fair

Riverside County sponsors it. Students build investigative and experimental projects, display them at school, and the winners are entered into the Inland Empire Science and Engineering Fair.

Spring

Jump Rope for Heart

For the last twenty years our students have jumped rope continuously for three hours with the American Heart Association, raising money for heart research.

Spring

Annual Spelling Bee

Run by the teachers, open from Kindergarten up.

May

Open House

New and interested families are welcome to walk the classrooms in May. The whole school puts its best out on display.

Any day the teachers dare

Student-Teacher Kickball

Batter up. Teachers against students, at the school’s favorite sport.

Hoping for 2027

Golf Tournament

Our largest and most successful fundraiser: an afternoon of scramble golf, then an auction and awards reception, with celebrities and golf pros taking part. We hope to bring it back in 2027.

The end of the year

How it closes.

June

End of Year Water Splash and Picnic

Water splash, bouncy houses, hot dogs, pizza, drinks, sno-cones and prizes, for students and parents both.

June

Promotion exercises

Fifth graders are promoted on to middle school. Kindergarten-Prep and Kindergarten have their own ceremony of advancement. Family, friends and the community are invited to the last activity of the year.

Monthly, then June

Awards assemblies

Students are honored through the year for academic and social achievement. At the end of the year every student is recognized for what they accomplished.

See the dated calendar Help pay for these

Some events carry a small fee to cover costs, and several are run by the Parent/Teacher Club. Dates are published in the calendar each fall.

See the campus. Meet the teachers.

Tours run every week — in person, or by video call for families abroad.

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WhatsApp (760) 345-8100