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About Us

Designed for Schools. Built for Families. Loved by Kids.

Little Panda Scholars is a founder-led enrichment studio creating thoughtful, high-quality programs for elementary-age students. We partner with schools and communities to deliver Mandarin, STEM, cultural arts, and creative technology experiences that are academically grounded, developmentally appropriate, and genuinely engaging.

Our goal is simple: make enrichment more meaningful for children and more practical for families. That means strong curriculum, smooth logistics, and programs that complement the school day rather than feeling disconnected from it.

We believe afterschool enrichment should do more than fill time. It should build skills, strengthen confidence, support working families, and give children joyful learning experiences they remember.

What Makes Little Panda Scholars Different

At Little Panda Scholars, every program is designed with intention. We ask:

  • What skills will this build?

  • How does this support confidence and growth?

  • How does this complement the school day?

  • How can this feel both enriching and joyful?

We are not a marketplace of random classes. We are a curated enrichment partner focused on meaningful learning experiences that reflect the needs of real school communities. Our programs are designed to:

  • build meaningful skills

  • support working families

  • complement the academic day

  • reflect student interests and school culture

  • make learning engaging, hands-on, and memorable

Thoughtful Curriculum, Designed with Purpose

Many of our programs are developed in-house to better reflect today’s students, school communities, and learning goals.

Rather than offering a disconnected collection of classes, we design experiences with clear educational purpose, strong engagement, and room for creativity. From Mandarin reinforcement to original STEAM experiences like K-Pop Demon Hunters STEAM Academy and Pokémon BrickMasters, our programming is built to be hands-on, relevant, and memorable.

Our curriculum is shaped by a few core beliefs:

  • children learn best when they are engaged

  • skill-building and joy can coexist

  • enrichment should feel purposeful, not random

  • programs should be flexible enough to fit different school communities

This allows us to create classes that are not only fun, but thoughtfully structured and responsive to what schools and families actually need.

A Reliable Partner for Schools

Little Panda Scholars operates with the professionalism schools need and the care families value.

We work closely with school leaders, parent groups, and educators to ensure programs are well-run, age-appropriate, and easy to integrate into existing school communities.

Our approach includes:

  • seamless campus integration

  • clear communication and professionalism

  • strong classroom management

  • age-appropriate instructional design

  • thoughtful alignment with school and family needs

As an approved LAUSD vendor serving both public and private schools across Los Angeles County, we understand that high-quality enrichment requires both creativity and operational excellence.

Our Philosophy

We believe enrichment should:

✔ Build meaningful skills
✔ Strengthen identity
✔ Support working families
✔ Complement the academic day
✔ Be joyful — and intentionally designed

Little Panda Scholars exists to raise the bar for what enrichment can be: thoughtful, engaging, well-run, and connected to the real needs of students, schools, and families.

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Meet Sharon Tom

Founder & Fellow Parent

Little Panda Scholars was founded by Sharon Tom, a product and digital strategy advisor who teaches Digital Product Management at USC Marshall, and a Mandarin Immersion parent who saw an opportunity to bring more thoughtfulness, structure, and quality to the afterschool space.

As both a Chinese heritage speaker and Mandarin Immersion parent, Sharon understands the importance of consistent, meaningful exposure in helping children build language confidence over time. She created Little Panda Scholars to offer families something better: enrichment that is intentional, culturally relevant, and designed to truly complement the school day.

Her approach brings together curriculum design, operational rigor, and a deep belief that children learn best when learning experiences are engaging, well-structured, and rooted in real community needs.

From original enrichment concepts to school-based program design, Sharon’s work reflects the intersection of innovation, cultural authenticity, and family-centered thinking.

Our Commitment

We believe families deserve enrichment that is thoughtfully designed, professionally run, and genuinely worthwhile. Whether a child is building Mandarin confidence, exploring engineering concepts, or participating in a hands-on cultural arts experience, our aim is the same: to create learning that feels meaningful, memorable, and well cared for.

That is the heart of Little Panda Scholars.

Let’s Work Together

Get in touch so we can get some new enrichment classes at your school!

Contact Sharon at LittlePandaScholars@gmail.com

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