About Us
From Our Head of School, Patricia Kong
Welcome to Pilgrim School! I’ve had the privilege of working at Pilgrim for more than 20 years, and I truly believe in what a Pilgrim education offers. Our goal is to inspire and challenge students to grow—both as learners and as people who want to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Pilgrim is located in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, and our community reflects the city’s incredible diversity. Our campus and neighborhood give students access to rich learning experiences beyond the classroom, from visits to places like the California Science Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and MOCA, to enjoying the natural beauty of Southern California.
Getting to know each student as an individual is at the core of what we do. Small class sizes allow our teachers to meet students where they are, build on their strengths, and support their interests. From preschool through college admission, we challenge and guide students to reach their full potential. Our comprehensive college counseling program starts as early as the second semester of 8th grade, helping students explore and identify colleges that truly fit their goals and strengths; from Ivy League institutions to liberal arts, art colleges, and the UC system.
Just as important is Pilgrim’s welcoming and inclusive community. Our alumni often tell us that the friendships and relationships they built here—with both peers and teachers—last a lifetime. That sense of connection helps students feel confident, supported, and free to be themselves.
We would love for you to visit Pilgrim School and see what makes our community so special.
Patricia Kong,
Head of School
Our Core Anchors
Personal Attention
We celebrate every identity and cultivate a genuinely inclusive community where all students
and families feel valued and respected. Strong, intentional relationships among faculty,
students, and parents ensure that every child is truly seen and known. By understanding and
responding to each student’s individual strengths and needs, we support meaningful growth,
confidence, and success—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Joyful Experience
Community and tradition are central to life at Pilgrim. We create a healthy school environment
where students feel safe, respected, and supported, and where well-being is taken seriously.
Through meaningful student choice, learners are encouraged to engage deeply, take
responsibility, and become active partners in their own education.
Mastery-Based Learning
Academic rigor is central to a Pilgrim education. We set high expectations, make learning goals
transparent, and provide ongoing feedback so students know where they are and how to grow.
Our classrooms emphasize deep, meaningful learning—challenging students to think critically
and retain understanding.
Pilgrim in Action
Our Beautiful Campus
The historic Pilgrim School campus is located in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown and spans 4.75 acres—an exceptional footprint for an urban school. The campus includes a full-size athletic field, indoor gym, library, state-of-the-art engineering lab, arts studio, performance stage, on-site parking, and a variety of inviting outdoor learning and gathering spaces.
Pilgrim is also connected to First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, home to the fourth-largest pipe organ in the United States. This remarkable space is regularly used for school performances, assemblies, and community events, enriching the student experience well beyond the classroom.
