Admission

About

About Us

The Episcopal Way

We are proud of our Episcopal heritage at St. James’ and the principles of inclusivity and respect that lives at the core of our faith. Our families come from many different religious backgrounds and a number of world faiths are celebrated year round in our weekly chapel services. Many families who are not religious choose St. James’ because we prioritize kindness to others as our guiding philosophy.

One of the blessings of life at St. James’ School is that our students and staff come from so many faiths.

— The Rev. Dr. Kate Cress

Why Choose an Episcopal School?

“We chose to send our children to St. James’ because our values align with an Episcopal education. While my husband and I were not raised in the Episcopal church, we wanted our children to have a strong foundation when it came to developing intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. We wanted a welcoming learning environment that prioritizes inclusion, honors all religions and cultures, and fosters a lifelong commitment to service and community involvement. St James’ approaches development in an expansive and inclusive way that creates good human beings, regardless of religious beliefs.”

—  Sarah O., current parent 

St. James’ in the City Church
We are a family of many cultures and faiths. I am an Afghan-American Muslim and my husband is a Black Christian, with a Jewish mother. It was important for us to belong to a community that is inclusive in its teachings and emphasizes the common tenants of all faiths: kindness, giving back, compassion and empathy. St. James’ community reflects our personal values, and is actively offering our daughter a very open and informed understanding and appreciation of all faiths. We could not be more grateful for this very special school.
Yasmine J.
Yasmine J.Former Parent
Our family is Jewish, and we have always felt so welcome at St. James'. We appreciate the school and the church’s commitment to inclusiveness, to learning about and celebrating all faiths and perspectives. We love the school’s commitment to making sure that everyone — regardless of their faith — knows that they are a valued part of the St. James' Community.
Marcie U.
Marcie U.Current Parent
As a St. James' parent who is an immigrant and a Buddhist, I found St. James' very open and inclusive to other cultures and religions. My children are never looked upon differently because they are non-Christians. In addition to its academic focus, St. James' also emphasizes social justice and servant leadership, which I think transcend religion.
Kejia P.
Kejia P.Former Parent
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About St. James'

Admission

Our Values

Academics

Beyond School

Community

Giving

Laura petersen

Preschool Director

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
B.A. in Administration

Pasadena City College
Child Development 

Certificates/Recognition

Responsive Classroom, Child Care Center Application, Outdoor Classroom

Laura is an experienced educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. Throughout her career, Laura has worked with children and families across a variety of educational settings, with a particular passion for creating nurturing, engaging, and supportive environments where children can thrive. Prior to joining St. James’, Laura served as the Director of a private school in Pasadena serving children from infancy through sixth grade. She also spent 12 years at Saint Mark’s Episcopal School in Altadena, where she developed a deep understanding of the importance of strong relationships between educators, children, and families.

Laura holds a degree in Business Administration, but has always had a passion for early childhood education.  Laura believes children learn best when they feel safe, valued, encouraged, and genuinely known. Her approach to leadership centers on creating a warm and welcoming school community while supporting teachers in providing meaningful experiences for every child. Outside of her professional life, Laura is a proud mother of two children. She has also opened her home as a foster parent to multiple children, an experience that has strengthened her understanding of the individual needs, experiences, and strengths every child brings with them. Laura  is honored to serve as Preschool Director and looks forward to partnering with families to create a joyful, supportive, and enriching foundation for each child’s educational journey.