Grace Brethren Elementary

Specialties

Grace Brethren Elementary School is a private, non-​profit, co-​educational school, for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It was founded by Grace Brethren Church in 1978, and operates as a ministry outreach of the church. Grace Brethren Schools is fully accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Our specialty is the integration of a biblical worldview through every aspect of a developmental education. Academics, Athletics, Arts, extra and co-​curricular enhancements, field trips and weekly chapel are all components of developing character, proficiency, and a love for God and people.

History

Established in 1978.

Truly an experience of God’s grace and application of His sovereign hand, Grace Brethren Schools began in 1978 as a preschool only. Based on the initial demand expressed by parents for an elementary school, five men from Grace Brethren Church began to pray for God’s guidance and will. Through this process the church determined that for the school to be successful it needed to be self-​funding. As has been said, «God works in mysterious ways», and while plans and decisions were being prayed for and analyzed an unfortunate crime took place in Moorpark, our neighboring city. While jogging, a young woman was murdered. Her husband chose to honor her love of children by donating the entire proceeds of his wife’s life insurance policy to the newly formed Grace Brethren Schools to enable the opening of the elementary school at a leased facility on Arcane street in Simi Valley.

Meet the Manager

Karen S.

Manager

My name is Karen Simeri and I was born and raised in Southern California. I have lived in Simi Valley since 1979. I went to high school at James Monroe and went on to work for Atlantic Richfield where I met my husband Art. I have been married for othirty years and have been blessed with two wonderful sons; Erik 24 and Bryan 20. Our family loves to travel, houseboat and play together.

After having my children I went back to school and completed my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts at California Lutheran University and my California State Teaching Credential.

My son Erik started Grace Brethren in 1989 as a kindergartener and Bryan soon followed; both boys graduated from Grace Brethren High School. In 1995 I started teaching first grade at Grace Brethren and returned back to school to complete my Masters in Curriculum and Education. In January of 2003 I was asked to be the Vice Principal and became Principal in 2009.