"We
loved the idea of a combined pre-school and kindergarten. The ability to engage
with younger and older kids is so critical to their understanding of family
dynamics, friendship and social interactions."
-- Preschool and Elementary School parent
The San Francisco
School has two preschool-kindergarten classrooms, each comprised of approximately
36 children ages 3 to 6, with four teachers in each room. Based on the teaching
methodology of Maria Montessori, as well as more recently developed approaches
to early childhood education, the SFS preschool-kindergarten program fosters
a strong foundation for future learning and growth.
Some forms and documents are in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files. (Get Adobe's free Acrobat Reader here.)
Step 2: Visit The San Francisco School
Preschool tours begin in mid October and occur on select Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through December. Unlike other preschools, we simply ask that you begin the admissions process the year before you wish to enroll your child. Therefore, preschool tour spaces are reserved for parents/guardians who wish to enroll their children the following year. Please sign up for a school tour or reserve a space by calling (415) 239-5065. School tours are for adults only.
We begin accepting students at age three and require that all children turn 3 years old on or before September 1 of the year they enroll. All children must also be potty trained.
Parents of Kindergarten applicants must attend the October Open House before attending a tour. Sign-up sheets will be available during this Open House event. Tours for kindergarten applicants occur on Mondays as a part of the Elementary School tours.
Step 3: Apply for Admission
The deadline for September 2008 admission is January 8, 2008. Please complete your application before this date for equal consideration. However, parents must attend a tour or open house before applying.
A $70 application fee is due with the application. Please mail the application fee separately when applying online: be sure to write your child's name in the memo of the check. A $1,000 non-refundable one-time enrollment fee is due at the time your child is accepted.
Please note that we require all 3 year old applicants to be three on or before September 1 of the year they wish to enroll. This date also applies to our 4 year old and Kindergarten (5 year old) applicants. Additionally, all children must be potty trained before the start of school.
We prefer that you submit an online application. However, if you do not have reliable access to the internet or prefer to complete the application in Spanish, please call The School to request a paper application.
For Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grades -- This form only applies if your child is presently attending a school or other daycare setting.
Step 4: Indexed Tuition
The San Francisco School values diversity in all respects and is committed to the accessibility and affordability of a quality education. We strive for an economically diverse student body and offer Indexed Tuition to families that may need support while attending SFS. Currently, 29% of our families take part in the Indexed Tuition Program.
Indexed Tuition applications are available in early October and can be requested during a school tour or on our website. Since the Indexed Tuition process may take several weeks, all necessary information is due by February 22, 2008.
Indexed Tuition awards will be mailed out with general admission decision letters on February 28, 2008 for families applying to the 3 year old and 4 year old program, and on March 12, 2008 for families applying for kindergarten.
Please visit our Indexed Tuition page to download an application and for more detailed information about the Indexed Tuition Program, process and policies.
Step 5: Interviews, Assessments and Admissions Decisions
Although we would love to invite all applicants and their families back to the school for an interview and assessment, we are only able to bring in a handful of families based on the number of spots we predict will be available for the following school year. Much of how we decide on who to bring in is based on current class composition. Therefore, if we feel as though your family is a good fit for a particular space, we will contact you in early February for an interview and assessment. All families will receive a letter by early February with an update on your child's application status.
Admissions decisions for the 3 year old and 4 year old program will be mailed on February 28, 2008. A response from families will be required by 10 AM on March 6, 2008.
All K-8 independent schools in San Francisco mail their decision letters to families on March 12, 2008 and require that parents enroll their children by 10 AM on March 19, 2008. Therefore, all decisions for kindergarten applicants will be mailed on that date.
School Visits
We offer interested parents two opportunities to visit
our school and learn more about our programs and philosophy: Open Houses and school tours.
Parents of Kindergarten applicants must attend an Open House before signing
up for a school tour.
*** Both Open House events are now full. Please email: info@sfschool.org to be placed on a cancellation list. We will call you if a space becomes available. ***
Open Houses
Open House events include parent-led tours of our campus as well as presentations by faculty members and staff, including our Lower School Head, Head of School and Admissions Director. Each Open House accommodates approximately 150 parents and runs through a specific program.
Scheduled Open House events for the 2007-2008 school year:
*** Both Open House events are now full. Please email: info@sfschool.org to be placed on a cancellation list. We will call you if a space becomes available. ***
Preschool/Elementary School Open House
Oct. 25, 2007, 7-9 p.m.
All School Open House (preschool-middle school)
Dec. 6, 2007, 7-9 p.m.
School Tours
In order to gain more insight into our program, parents should attend a school tour before applying. School Tours are held weekly in the fall and winter during the regular school day. Each tour gives a small group of visitors an opportunity to observe students and teachers in our classrooms.
Tours are led by a current school parent, and include a meeting with the Head of School and the Admissions Director.
The best way to sign up for a tour is by reserving a space online. All tour sign-ups will be available online starting early September.
*** All Preschool Tours are now full. Please email: info@sfschool.org to be placed on a cancellation list. We will call you if a space becomes available. ***
Note: Parents of Kindergarten applicants must attend the October Open House before taking a school tour. Tour sign-up sheets will be available during the Open House. Tours for kindergarten applicants occur on Mondays as a part of the Elementary School tours.
Sign up for a tour online or by calling (415) 239-5065.
The San Francisco School values the richness of its diversity and actively
seeks students from racially, socio-economically and culturally diverse families,
including gay and lesbian families, single-parent families, adoptive and foster
families.
"We
loved the idea of a combined pre-school and kindergarten. The ability to engage
with younger and older kids is so critical to their understanding of family
dynamics, friendship and social interactions." 
