Schools in San Francisco, CA

“We have been attending Mathnasium for almost two years now since my youngest was in 2nd grade and I was seeing that she needed an extra boost in Math. I've seen her math skills increase and grow stronger to the point where she is slightly ahead of where her current class is. The team at Mathnasium makes it fun but also rigorous. I like the fact that I get progress reports to see how she is doing by math concepts. Most importantly, the extra boost in math has given her incredible confidence in Math overall, which I think is great for her belief in herself and her enjoyment of math as a subject at school. She continuously says Math is one of her most favorite subjects. Thanks Mathnasium Team!”

“Little Star has been an amazing preschool for our 3 year old. She has developed so much since attending - her ability to communicate, do more things independently, and build social relationships. It's been such a joy seeing her grow through school. I love seeing the wide variety of activities the teachers organize and how they incorporate learning and fun. I appreciate the balance between structure and free time. The school is great about rotating various toys and activities for the kids to play, and the outdoor area is amazing. Communication with the staff is great as well. We're grateful for LSP and can't wait to see how our child continues to grow and learn!”

“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 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Our almost 8 year old son has been attending to La Scuola since he was 5. He's currently in second grade. We have been having a great experience. We are a bilingual family (I'm from Italy) and it has been a highlight to be able to be closer to the Italian culture through the staff and other families. The school has a thoughtful approach to social emotional learning, has proactive communication, an enrichment program during after care, a great music teacher, and organizes several events, many to foster inclusion of minorities, to educate parents about their learning approach, and to encourage social connections among parents. Families here are very friendly, down to earth, and kind. They have a large outdoor area for kids to play and a garden. And our son loves their food and goes often for a second round!”

“Best decision ever made! They are the cleanest and most organized daycare/preschool we have ever enrolled our son. We were worried about full day for him but little bee has a very thoughtful way of easing the little one into their school program. The teachers are very attentive and communicate with us daily. We get daily photos of the classes day.We get lunch menus, snack menus, daily schedules and also weekly curriculum.Our son absolutely loves little bee and look forward to going everyday!”

“Our child attended Little Bananas from 18mo until preschool and we were very happy to have found them. They showed a great level of care and communication throughout. We found the curriculum to be a nice mix of structured and play-based. Highly recommend!”

“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.”

“Tl;dr: Calm, nurturing, supportive school following authentic Montessori approach.The first thing one notices when walking into MCH is how calm and centered the kids are. MCH respects and trusts children and creates a space for them to learn on their own terms. When kids have agency in their learning, they thrive.TeachersCalm classrooms are led by long-tenured teachers with decades of traditional Montessori experience. Several teachers have been at MCH for 20+ years. The well of knowledge and experience is deep, and it shows through in their guidance.Teachers are very accessible and are available not just for parent-teacher conferences, but for office hours with parents, too. Each teacher knows every child in their classroom and is happy to share about how they're doing.AdminThe admin team is exceptional at MCH. They get to know the children and give daily updates on what's happening at school. The admin is also well-versed in the Montessori philosophy and give tips on how to engage one's child outside of school.CommunityMCH families are warm and welcoming and come from a variety of backgrounds. There are morning coffee sessions at school for parents to meet as well as parent-only parties hosted by MCH families. It's rather remarkable that there are even alum families that are still involved with the board and community. MCH is such a special place.”

“We sent both of our children to Discovery Land, our first starting at 8 months and the second at 6 months. We have been nothing short of pleased with Marina's program. The teachers are warm, caring, and communicative. The amazing community of parents is an added bonus! We have watched our babies blossom into little people. Our children were always happy to go to school, which provided a huge sense of relief as new parents. As our daughter transitioned to pre-school, it was clear that she was prepared with socially and academically. We moved from the neighborhood or would have kept our soon there as well. Our last day was bittersweet knowing what great care they had received but also excited to see them so prepared for their next chapter! Thank you Marina!”

“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!”

“We have both of our daughters at Creative Gardens and LOVE it. The teachers and staff are amazing, the rooms are clean and full of light, and the kids are so entertained and are learning and growing mentally every day due to the daily focus on art, music, cooking, STEM, and more. We receive photos of the kids every day and love the clear communication from the management.Creative Gardens is a warm and nurturing environment and we are grateful they support us in our parenting journey every day!”

“love this school so much! went here for elementary 28yrs ago at that time the principal was Mrs. Matsuno who also attended my high school graduation!! i loved all my teachers i can name each one lol kindergarten: Ms. Noltimier ( she reminded me of ms honey off matilda ) 1st grade: Ms. Engler 2nd & 3rd grade : Ms. Hiller ( she reminded me of the teacher off the magic school bus ) she retired some years back and some of my classmates and I went to bid her a farewell! 4th grade : Ms. Shimozato5th grade : Ms. Kuzborski ( i have a feeling i spelled that wrong ) lol overall i had the best time at this school loved all my teachers and peers we're still friends to this day!!! im not sure what the dynamic is now but 28yrs ago it was awesome”

“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!”

“Our son started care at kids paradise at 4 months old. I couldn't imagine how I could leave my tiny baby in the hands of a stranger but instantly I felt so comfortable. Jenya showed so much love towards him. When I dropped him off in the mornings, he leapt into her arms and when I picked him up, he always had the biggest grin on his face!So much experience was 100% appreciated as a new Mum, on this crazy journey. We both miss Jenya and the team at Kids Paradise so much!”

“We are now sending our second of two children to Tinker and love the teachers, admins and other families there. We were one of the first families at the Park Presidio location 4 years ago and, throughout, they have always been welcoming and caring with our little ones. There’s a lot of outdoor action which is terrific for kids learning about nature, etc. and it’s great to see the same teachers helping our second child grow years after our first was there. Highly recommended!”

“What a gem of a preschool. The campus is beautiful with two lovely outdoor spaces. The directors Kelly and Mo are responsive and caring, answering any question I might have. They've loved on my child who has various special needs. The parent community has been warm and inclusive. Your kids will be well taken care of here.”

“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.”

“We toured a few preschools before my daughter went to Ark of Hope (Now Ark Christian as they merged). We decided to go to Ark by words of mouth as there were quite a lot of kids in our church from Ark. It took a while before she could start as Ms Mary insisted to have one new student per week (which is very considerate and loving). My daughter can now speak a lot of words both in English and Cantonese. She can also use scissors very well. During Christmas and graduation ceremony, the students will have performance in the church. She gains full confidence because of that, and loves to sing everyday. All the teachers and the Pastor are super kind and patient to the students. The Preschool is very well organized by Ms Mary and Ms Anita. My daughter feels the love from the teachers and not like a money making institute. I highly recommend Ark Christian.”

“Kids Kollege is an absolute gem of a preschool. Our two kids have been there starting before, during, and through to the other side of the pandemic. MIss Kelsi and now Miss Sarah, the directors of the school, set such an incredibly warm and nurturing tone. The teachers and staff are passionate and inspired. The level of creativity and attention to detail when it comes to teaching, activities, even the graduation, is incredible. We feel so fortunate that our kids were able to grow and learn in such a special community.”

“My son attended B.K from the age of 2 1/2-5 he loved both his teachers he had the privilege of attending Ms. Serena and Ms. Barbara's school. It took my son a while to adapt as he is very shy but they were both very patient with him. Our first language at home is English and since it is a Chinese Emersion school my son learned a lot he actually understands Cantonese fully and he can speak it a little. I actually catch him at home speaking Cantonese which is a wonderful thing to me. This will help him in his future. I love how Ms Serena and Ms Barbara have there daycares set up and they go over every subject. the kids go on field trips and learn about nature as well. Another thing I loved was how clean and organized the facilities are. My son misses them both and so do I. I wish my son was able to stay until the 5th grade because I was comfortable with them both and I trusted them and that is very hard to come by these days.”

“We sent our two kids, both from age 2, to Little People and loved it. They are close in age and being able to see each other throughout the day helped transition the younger one to a full time program. The food was great - healthy and diverse, and we loved the way teachers had the kids try different food things through game play. Little People also potty trained our children and helped us ensure they were potty trained at home as well - huge for us! My 5 year old went to a large international kindergarten this year and when tested on math and reading readiness, placed in the 89th and 86th percentile respectively - all from the wonderful K prep at Little People. The teachers were warm and wonderful to our children and we miss them like family.”

“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.”

“I've been working at Shalom School as a consultant this past year and find that they have been so supportive of families who have children with special abilities. They go out of their way to welcome all children and provide loving and caring support to each child. They also made sure that their families who needed translators could have help and also provided the assistance to help families access the necessary extra support with other agencies available within the county.”

“My family is so grateful for the wonderful teachers and staff at Theresa Mahler. I was so nervous about my son starting pre-k with his diagnosis but they have been nothing short of amazing with him. His vocabulary & social emotional skills have grown exponentionally since he started. I am just sad that he can't rejoin next year since it is preschool only. I will definitely reccomend this school to friends and family.”

“My daughter simply thrived during her year at Gates & Bridges, and the heartfelt care, support, and flat-out fun we saw her receive every day was wonderful to see. The staff there navigated an incredibly difficult school year (2020-2021) with empathy, patience, and optimism, and our whole family benefited. I couldn't recommend G&B more highly!!”

“Our child is currently in their 2nd year at Wind in the Willows and we could not be more grateful for the time that they have spent there. Wind in the Willows is a play-based preschool that emphasizes social-emotional learning and building strong relationships between peers, teachers, and families. The teachers are all warm and supportive, and show a lot of love for each child and their individual personalities. The director is incredibly hands-on and goes above and beyond to make the school safe, fun, and educational. Families are welcomed to participate and bond through after school/weekend events and play dates. Families are also encouraged to visit the class for birthdays and to share about their cultures and traditions.Kids who are in Pre-K can also enroll in “Kinder Prep” to participate in a program that provides academic preparation for kindergarten. Kids go on frequent field trips to the neighborhood playground and places like the grocery store. While the school follows the SFUSD calendar, there are 4 weeks of summer camp every June that students can opt into as well.Parents are sent daily photos, which helps us to see what our kids are learning and to have conversations about their day. We love being able to share the day in this way!The school is located close to CCSF and several bus lines, and has really easy street parking for dropoff and pickup (the school is located on a long block with “one hour parking” designation, that pretty much always has open spots).Choosing a preschool can be a daunting task. Wind in the Willows has provided our whole family with a small, safe, and caring place for our child to be every single day. Our child’s social world and self-confidence have blossomed in ways that we are so happy to see. We highly recommend this school and feel lucky to be a part of it.”

“Awesome teachers and administration! Natella and Angelina are very caring and responsive to our family needs. This preschool is very well organized and transparent. The facility is very clean and spacious. My daughter was thriving there and felt at home from the very first day as she had a very smooth transition. She absolutely loves all her teachers and will miss them a lot. They did a lot of activities and art projects together and she also had a lot of fun during their outdoor time in their nice backyard.”