BRINGING COMMUNITY TO THE CENTER
For the past decade, hundreds of parents, teachers, students and community members have come together and volunteered their time and talents to help us create our new Community Center. This ambitious project includes a state-of-the-art science lab, new classrooms, performance space, and a gymnasium. It will have an immediate, transformational impact on the lives of current students and for those in generations to come. We're thrilled to provide a Project Timeline and the following FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Please contact us with any questions or comments via email: project@sfschool.org or by calling 415-239-1475.

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY CENTER?
All healthy schools are constantly evolving and campus improvements, both large and small, are part of a school’s evolution. In 2009, the Board of Trustees approved a three-phase master plan to rebuild much of the campus over the next 30+ years. We are pleased to have embarked on Phase I. An exciting and critical step in building the best learning environment for our students and teachers, this phase features a beautiful 4100-square-foot Community Center–a gym, performance and gathering space–and additional classrooms. After breaking ground in June 2012, construction will last for 12 months. The finished building will open for the 2013-2014 school year.

HOW WILL BE THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER AND CLASSROOMS BE USED?
The new Community Center will be the heart of the school. It will be the space where we come together to celebrate our traditions and our community. It will also be the place where we cheer on our athletic teams and enjoy the Winter Plays and Spring Concerts. The new classrooms will provide a state-of-the-art science lab, dedicated language and math classrooms, and a middle school art room. In addition, there will be a large rooftop deck for learning and social opportunities.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER?
The new Community Center will be the heart of the school. The new building provides a place where we'll cheer our athletic teams, enjoy the Winter Plays and Spring Concerts, and conduct school-wide celebrations. Its new classrooms will provide a state-of-the art science lab, dedicated language and math classrooms, and a middle school art room. In addition, there will be a large rooftop deck for learning and social opportunities.

HOW IS SAN FRANCSISCO SCHOOL FUNDING THE COMMUNITY CENTER?
The School is funding the project in two ways. First, we've undertaken the largest fundraising campaign in the school's forty-six year history. We've received significant philanthropic support from our teachers, parents, and alumni as well as from outside sources. We'll continue to seek generous support from our community through the project's completion. Second, the School has secured a bank loan at a low, fixed rate.

WILL TUITION INCREASES FUND THE COMMUNITY CENTER?
The San Francisco is firmly committed to preserving its economically diverse student body. The Board of Trustees has a standing policy stating that tuition will stay at or below the median of other San Francisco pre-K and K-8 independent schools.

HOW WILL CONSTRUCTION IMPACT THE SCHOOL'S OPERATIONS?
We have engaged Plant Construction, a well-respected contractor with extensive experience working on school sites. They are experts at scheduling tasks to minimize disruption to students' learning. All students will remain on campus during the one school year of construction. To date, students have loved observing the demolition and construction, and several teachers have integrated the project into their lesson plans.

HOW IS THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT?
Every member of the San Francisco School community is taking part in this project — from financial contributions, to volunteer assistance, to obtaining community endorsements. Grandparents, alumni, alumni families and friends of the school community have come forward with generous support. Above all, parental involvement is critical to ensure success of this effort. Previous generations of parents have built and paid for the campus we enjoy today. Now it is our generation's turn to make our mark and provide new facilities for our own children and for decades of students to come. For information on making a contribution please contact Charlie Meade at cmeade@sfschool.org.

A SPECIAL NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE & APPLICANT FAMILIES
As you have probably discovered, The San Francisco School is a unique and special place that welcomes the whole family and student. We are a community filled with school-wide celebrations, a world renowned music program, and talented sports teams. Our new Community Center will provide a much needed space to showcase these talents.

We assure you that your child’s educational and social experience will not be impacted during the 2012-2013 school year as construction is completed. Best of all, after the construction, your student and family will have the full use of this new space throughout their SFS tenure and beyond!

OUR TEAM
Plant Construction
StarkweatherBondy
CMG