Schools in San Francisco, CA

“I had a great experience at Mathnasium! Jessica and the instructors are highly knowledgeable and patient, helping my kids understand complex math concepts in a simple way. The personalized approach and flexible scheduling made learning convenient and effective. Whether you're struggling with basic arithmetic or advanced calculus, they cater to all levels. Highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their math skills!”

“We absolutely love Fun with Mandarin. Binbin and Ben run a fantastic Mandarin immersion school, which we were interested in even before our child was born. We were fortunate to secure a spot for her when she was just 20 months old at the new Capitol Ave location. We feel incredibly lucky because this site offers well-lit indoor spaces, spacious outdoor play areas, and customized furniture for kids.Now, after nearly two years of being part of the Fun with Mandarin community, I'm delighted to say that our child thrives there. She has developed and grown not only in language skills but holistically. The school introduces a new theme every couple of weeks, where they learn new songs, engage in cultural activities, and create art. Our child has also formed close friendships with other kids. She genuinely enjoys her time there, has a deep affection for her teachers, and eagerly looks forward to going to school every day. The teachers provide detailed notes about our child's day during pick-up and share photos throughout the day via the app.We are overjoyed to have found a safe and happy place for our child.”

“We’re so grateful to have Growing Tree in the neighborhood! Our 15 month old started at six months, and it’s been a wonderful experience. The teachers are incredibly attentive and kind. Our baby looks forward to seeing them and often tries to go back into their arms after handoff. We frequently catch him doing things at home that he learned at school. We’re looking forward to more of that as he grows!”

“Little Star Preschool Too is a school I highly recommend and trust with my children's early education. We were enveloped in a warm and welcoming community throughout our 4 years of attendance here. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and genuinely care about each child's individual growth and development. Our kids blossomed under their nurturing guidance, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. The sense of belonging they fostered meant so much to our family; we felt supported and safe in the school's enriching environment for our little ones to thrive.

The impact Little Star Preschool had on our family is immeasurable. We witnessed our children's confidence soar as they explored new concepts and developed essential skills. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning. Beyond the academics, the emphasis on kindness, empathy, and respect created a positive and inclusive atmosphere. We are eternally grateful for the foundation Little Star Preschool helped built for our children. It is without hesitation that we give Little Star Preschool our highest recommendation; it's a truly exceptional place where children and families flourish.”

“Linh and my family absolutely love Family Connection where has many nice, patient and experienced teachers. Linh has been in Family Connection 4 years ago. She loves FC activities likes making cake, creative toys...More over, the FC staffs and teachers are so nice and helpful. They are willing to help parents and students when we need. I highly recommend Family Connection to anyone who is going to enroll after school and summer camp program for their kids.”

“We love laurel hill. We are now with our second child at the school and have only grown fonder and fonder over the years. We cannot recommend it enough. The philosophy of the school has been instrumental in our parenting and given us so much. The community and values of the school top. It is a very special place for children.”

“My son went here back in 2005 and is now 23 years old. So grateful for DiscoveryLand being a part of our family's journey. He learned to count in a Chinese dialect and learned so many songs while there! He had many awesome teachers, and we remember Mrs. Yang, Mrs. Stevens, and Pastor Hall for their dedication and care. Thanks Discoveryland!”

“We had a fantastic experience at Meaningful Beginnings - Taraval. Our daughter started in early 2022 in the infant room when she was appt. 8 months old, and was there through her second birthday. The teachers are warm, caring, and really get to know the children and families. We loved morning drop-offs with Thereza and Shenna, and Sandy always gave helpful updates at the end of the day. When our daughter graduated to the toddler room, her development in all areas really took off, and we loved seeing photos that teachers posted in the app throughout the day of activities she did, friends she made, etc. The checkin/checkout experience is secure and easy, and the director, Yarena, is very fast in responding to communication. In addition to the fantastic care our daughter had, Meaningful Beginnings also does some special events like parties for the family, which gave us opportunities to get to know other families and form relationships for playdates. Finally, when we departed because we moved away from the Bay Area, the teachers made our daughter very special gifts that really highlighted how much they cared about her. Meaningful Beginnings has very special teachers, which make it a great place that I would recommend to anyone looking for childcare.”

“We feel incredibly lucky to have found this school for our child – it’s not just a Montessori, it’s the OG Montessori in San Francisco, with a long-standing reputation, deeply experienced faculty, and an incredibly thoughtful, well-run program.

What sets this school apart is the tenured teaching staff – many of whom have been with the school for years, even decades. Their deep expertise and calm, nurturing approach help create a focused, purposeful environment where kids thrive. The low teacher-to-student ratio means every child is truly seen, known, and supported.

The classrooms are bright, clean, and inviting, filled with beautiful materials that inspire independent learning and curiosity. One of the things we’ve loved most is how students are taught to focus – really focus – whether they’re working with practical life materials or exploring early math or language. There’s a quiet hum of concentration and joy that fills the space.

There’s also a thoughtful balance here – a community of families who go on to attend top-tier independent schools in San Francisco, and others who pursue the SFUSD route. It never feels competitive; instead, it feels like a supportive, respectful village where everyone wants what’s best for the children.

Beyond the classroom, the extended day programs are a huge plus for working families. The Friday hot lunch tradition, catered in, is something the kids look forward to all week. And we love that they explore different parks around the neighborhood – a beautiful way to connect with the broader community and embrace the outdoors.

Behind the scenes, the school is exceptionally well run. The communication from faculty and administration is consistent, clear, and transparent, and the social events for families are meaningful and fun. We've made some of our closest friends through this school – real connections that extend beyond drop-off and pick-up.

If you're looking for a Montessori that’s rooted in tradition but responsive to the needs of modern families, with heart, integrity, and excellence in everything it does – this is it. We couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

“Our family had a wonderful experience with Little Bee Preschool. The staff is warm, attentive, and creative in their approach. Our daughter always looked forward to going, and we saw her grow in confidence and curiosity every day.”

“Holy Name has very supportive staff throughout the year of my children's education. The teachers are all hands on and ensure students learning environment to be engaging. The school also prioritize students safety emotionally and physically. Moreover they have a lot of extra curricular activities and sports that my children have participated and enjoyed. Holy Name has a great community where parents are very much involve, close and are tight knit. I highly recommend and support Holy Name for 4 years now.”

“This review is long overdue, but I truly couldn’t let more time pass without sharing how wonderful our experience was at Little People Preschool. My daughter attended over a year ago, and we still talk about the special memories made there.

From the very first day, the staff made us feel welcome and at ease. The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and truly understand early childhood development. They not only taught my child the basics—letters, numbers, shapes—but also encouraged kindness, independence, creativity, and confidence.

The school is always clean, organized, and filled with fun, engaging materials. Every week brought exciting themes, hands-on activities, and adorable art projects that filled our walls at home. My child especially loved music time and outdoor play in the safe and spacious yard.

Even after graduating, my child still asks to go back and visit. That says everything to me.

Thank you, Little People Preschool, for giving our family such a positive start to our educational journey. If you’re looking for a warm, enriching preschool in a caring environment, I highly recommend this gem of a school.”

“Both of our kids attended Tinker, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. One of the things that really sets Tinker apart is its emphasis on outdoor play—our children thrived with so much time spent outside exploring, learning, and just being kids. We love that they enjoy ample outdoor time all year round.

The teachers and administrators are incredibly caring and dedicated. You can tell they genuinely love what they do, and it shows in how they engage with the children and support each family. We always felt heard, welcomed, and part of a thoughtful, intentional community.

Tinker is a truly special place and we feel so lucky to have been part of it.”

“Genesis and Eric are truly the absolute best! We were blessed to spend 4 years straight at Little Banana's as our daughters were two years apart. Moving on to preschool was bitter sweet moment for our family.One of our favorite things was the sense of community they fostered amongst the families. Even in a small environment it's easy for people to drop off and pickup without really knowing each other, but Genesis and Eric insure that's not the case and I am forever grateful for that.You will get everything you could hope for and more by sending your little hear: love, development, community and just a fun place to be daily. You'll also get daily updates and photos of your little which is so helpful.We hope to always stay in touch with this dynamic duo as our girls love them and still ask about them often.”

“I am amazed by the care and consideration Hills Plaza has shown to my family. My infant daughter (6 months) loves coming to the center each day and I know her development is skyrocketing from all of the engaging experiences her teachers give her - even at such a young age! I am rest assured that she is well taken care of and the health and safety practices are top notch. I love the app which sends me real-time information about her day and the most adorable pictures/videos! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for infant care, even (especially) during COVID times.”

“Star of the Sea Preschool is truly special and we feel so blessed to have found it. Our son attended in 2022 and is now in 1st grade at Stella Maris Academy on the same campus, and now our daughter is there. There are so many things we love about this preschool, but what stands out most are the exceptional teachers. They are incredibly nurturing, warm, and genuinely devoted to each child’s growth — not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually.

The curriculum is so rich and diverse and strikes the perfect balance of structure, learning, and play: Catholic catechism, arts and crafts, Spanish language from native speaking teachers, Montessori lessons from Montessori-certified teachers, music from classically trained music teacher, field trips to the public library, special visits from older students for reading time, interactive lessons on life skills to become more independent and confident, and much more.

The preschool environment itself is extremely clean, calm, and thoughtfully organized — a peaceful little haven within the larger TK–8 school. We love that the children benefit from being part of the wider school community, yet still enjoy their own cozy, dedicated space designed just for them.

The teachers are highly accessible and communicative so you always know what they are learning as a class and how your child is doing. We couldn’t imagine a more joyful and faith-filled start to our child’s education!”

“The staff is so friendly, the teachers are super nice and knowledgeable. We have trusted them with our little baby without a doubt in our minds. You can feel the genuine love from the teachers towards all the babies. Feeling so lucky to have been part of this family. Thanks so much!”

“My daughter recently graduated from Miraloma having spent two years at the adorable little red schoolhouse. Our family really enjoyed the co-op experience and supportive parent community. We formed lifelong friendships and made many sweet memories. We enjoyed parent teaching and felt lucky to have the opportunity to watch our daughter explore, learn and develop new friendships. It felt wonderful to be a part of a collective community effort with the goal of providing children with a safe and nurturing space where they can learn, grow and have fun. Miraloma is such a warm and welcoming place! I highly recommend touring in person to really appreciate Miraloma's wonderful space. The school has so many unique assets that affords unique experiences for the children like dancing on stage under a plum tree, harvesting plums from the same tree and making jam! Digging for worms and roly polys in the garden. Planting seeds, observing the growth of plants, harvesting fruits and vegetables and eating your bounty! Cooking up soups and baking cakes in the mud kitchen. Getting cozy in the book nook. Building strength and having fun on the trapeze! Challenging themselves to be brave and finally go down that fire pole. The current Director Rose and Teacher Anne (both began at Miraloma in July 2023) are highly credentialed and have decades of early childhood development experience at preschools. I have seen the tremendous passion and care they have for the children that I have never experienced before. I wish our daughter was able to have spent more time with these amazing teachers before she graduated. The play based and child led approach was wonderful and empowering for our daughter. Every day the teachers set up new and fun experiences and activities for the children, but the kids decide what they want to do. The teachers then build on and adapt the curriculum to support the interests of the kids at any given time. Kids are given the tools and freedom to explore and develop their authentic selves while knowing a loving and supportive adult is nearby if they need help. Anne and Rose are often found on the floor engaging with and connecting with the children. I would venture to say that Anne is the best preschool teacher in all of SF and she shares her insight and wisdom with families in weekly detailed updates. Parents can learn alot from both Rose and Anne. We are forever grateful to Miraloma for providing our daughter with such a wonderful foundation for learning. Take a tour and you will also be wowed by how wonderful this place is!”

“I absolutely love this center! From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt welcomed and supported. The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and truly passionate about what they do. It’s clear they care deeply for each child, and that makes all the difference.

The learning environment is both fun and educational. My daughter comes home every day excited to share what she’s learned—whether it’s a new song, a craft she made, or a story she heard. It’s amazing to see how much she’s growing socially, emotionally, and academically.

What I appreciate most is the strong sense of community and the open communication between staff and parents. I always feel informed and involved. It gives me peace of mind knowing she’s not only learning but also feeling safe and loved.

This head start/preschool has been such a wonderful start to her educational journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

“This is an update: After my son's graduation from SHCP, he attended Skyline Community College. He then got accepted to UC Davis and UC Irvine. He chose UC Irvine and graduated June 2022 with a BS in Theoretical Mathematics and a minor in History. It was his choice to first attend Skyline, primarily due to costs. He's now a college graduate with no student debt. SHCP prepared him for the academic challenges of a UC. He's now applying to grad schools.”

“We have one graduate and one currently enrolled student at WITW and absolutely love this school! The staff and director are amazing, the parent community is active and supportive, and the kids spend their time playing, learning, and creating in a welcoming and safe environment. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a 3, 4, or 5 day a week program!”

“My daughter was here for 2 years and she absolutely loved it. Amazing staff, beautiful location - all around amazing vibes. Mrs. Rachael, Mrs. Susan, Mrs. Deziree, Mrs, Yulia, and last but not least *Mrs. Riece.* So many amazing teachers and memories. Easy parking on most mornings for pickup and drop off. Having Commodore Sloat playground across the street makes for a nice end of day playtime gathering spot for burning off more of that never ending toddler energy and connecting with other parents. THANKS AKA!”

“Diller is the preschool jackpot! The community is very welcoming and we've built deep relationships with other families. Our kids' days are filled with joy and discovery. Karla and her phenomenal team of teachers and specialists (art, music, and nature) are incredible and absolutely love the students! From cooking to creative art projects, garden explorations, and walks to the Presidio, every day is filled with joyful learning. We've seen our kids learn and grow a ton in their time here!”

“Jackie 3/9/81 went here in the 1980s and I was allowed to ride a tricycle around in the courtyard. One day Jackie came home with all of someone's My Little Ponies and Seahorses and dumped them in the tub. We got a phone call.”

“We love this daycare. Stacey and her team do a wonderful job teaching the kids colors, letters, songs. Our son loves their food, has a great time, and always learns something new.”