Welcome to Vistamar
Welcome to the Vistamar School website.
Established in 2005, Vistamar School is celebrating its 20th anniversary during the 2025-2026 school year. The founding vision - to provide an outstanding education for a diverse population that reflects Los Angeles - is as relevant today as in its infancy. Vistamar has proven that in a community forged through meaningful relationships among students and teachers, learning can be fun and rigorous at the same time.
The outcome of the Vistamar experience is that students feel whole and empowered when they graduate. The four-year Life Planning Program is designed for students to build and communicate their unique story that distinguishes them in a college admissions process, a job application process, or any other type of community engagement. They find guidance and mentorship from dedicated Life Planners, their advisors, and a myriad of trusted teachers throughout their high school experience at Vistamar. They are ready to uplift their communities with confidence, generosity, and compassion.
Students exercise their voice at Vistamar in literal and metaphorical ways. They have ample opportunities to address the entire student body at a Morning Meeting held three times per week. They chart their personal path through our college preparatory and honors/AP curriculum. They join school groups such as Model United Nations, robotics, Vistamar Student Network, and the Vistamar View (school newspaper). They form affinity spaces, create clubs, and gather in the gym for a pick-up basketball game. Leadership is not confined to elected roles — it is embedded in daily life. Students may serve as team captains, club founders, affinity group leaders, peer mentors, or members of Honor Council and VistaCrew, where they learn to advocate for themselves and others while shaping the culture of the school. These opportunities ensure that every student can practice leading with purpose, empathy, and initiative.
The community that we form each year is intentionally diverse. We believe that academic excellence requires a diversity of thought and culture that exposes our students to multiple perspectives. As we welcome nearly a quarter of our school population each year, we invite each new member to contribute their unique lived experiences, perspectives, and traditions so that we can grow together as a community. Our Moderated Tuition Program allows families who qualify and might not otherwise have the resources for an independent school education to participate fully in the Vistamar program. This sense of belonging is essential for meeting high standards for academics and character development.
Thank you for exploring our website. I hope that it inspires you to visit our campus. It feels different at Vistamar. You may leave understanding that this is the way high school should be.
In community,
Erik Carlson, Head of School
Erik Carlson's Biography
Erik Carlson joined Vistamar School as Head of School on July 1, 2025 after leading the school for a year as the Interim Head of School. He is Vistamar's 4th Head of School over our 20 year tenure. Erik's background includes experience as a Head of School and Senior Administrator in a number of independent schools that span Preschool through Grade 12. These have been secular and faith-based, progressive and traditional, single gender and coed, boarding and day. This breadth of experience working with different Boards and leadership teams has informed the way Erik cares for each school’s distinct purpose, program, and people. In his previous and current roles, he has demonstrated an ability to propel the community forward while honoring and respecting the values and mission of each school.
Since 2017, Erik has served in interim roles as Head of School at Park Day School in Oakland, PS1 Pluralistic School in Santa Monica, and Peninisula School in Menlo Park and as Head of Upper School at Castilleja in Palo Alto and Drew School in San Francisco. At Park Day, he hired the school's first Director of Equity and Inclusion, invested in school-wide training in restorative practices and drafted the school's Social Justice Statement. At PS1, he defined the shared leadership model with the Board, Head of School, and Administration, sharpening the school's identity, messaging, and commitment to a "radically student-centered" program. As an interim Head of School, Erik's work has helped school communities clarify their strengths and build systems and teams so that all members of the community -- students, staff, and families -- can realize their highest aspirations. Erik is an educator whose values are aligned with Vistamar's mission and who has the skills and compassion to enhance our school community and achieve our goals.
Erik holds an AB in Art History from Princeton University, a Master's Degree in Art History from New York University, Institute of Fine Arts, and completed work in the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford University.
Image
