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Preschools, Boarding and Day Schools
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
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GUIDE TO
PRIVATE SCHOOLS PRESCHOOLS • BOARDING • DAY SCHOOLS
2021 INSIDE: • Read about the types of private schools and how to start you search • Use our timeline to plan, month by month, your search and execution of getting accepted at your school of choice • Learn what exams are needed, how to nail the school interview and tips for writing a remarkable entrance essay. • Explore tuition assistance opportunities
Families have a choice when it comes to finding the RIGHT school, and choices have grown over the last 20 years. As you make these important choices, know that there is a school for every child. We hope and know that you will find this resource a tremendous help as you explore the regions amazing private school options.
And, discover the private schools and preschools who are inviting you to consider them as the right program for your child and your family. PARENTS’ PRESS | Connecting you with families for over 40 years!
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The San Francisco / Marin / North Bay Guide to Private Schools & Preschools takes the guesswork out of finding the right school for your child, from start to finish.
contents 6
Why Consider Private School?
26 Why Consider a
Boarding School?
10 The Private 29 School Search: Where to Start?
14 Basic Timeline for Applying to a Private School
A month-by-month guide to the application process
16 What to Expect When Applying
18 Applying After Deadline
20 Shadow Days 21 Make the Most of
30 Myths About Financial Assistance
31 Acceptance
34 35
24 Tips for a
60
25 Preparing for the
63
Exam 101
Great Essay
Interview
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7 Steps to Choosing a Preschool
Designed and Published by
6 Things to Look for in a Preschool Site Visit
875-A Island Dr., Ste. 421 Alameda, CA 94502
Featured School & Preschool Profiles Profiles Featured Preschools
22 Entrance
and Decision
36
48 52
Your Campus Visit
Financial Assistance: Basics You Need to Know
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Featured Private Day Schools Featured Boarding Schools What Does Accreditation Mean? Affiliation Key
www.parentspress.com Publishers | Parenting Media Art Director | Debbi Murzyn Associate Editor | Jean Abernathy Digital Content Editor | Katie McKean Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com To Add Your School parentspress.com/school-profilesubmission.html SF / Marin / North Bay Guide to Private Schools is published annually by Parents’ Press. ©2021
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Why Consider Private School?
M
any parents feel that their children will thrive better in what they believe is a smaller, safer environment with more room for personal attention. And while public schools must follow a curriculum heavily influenced by state standards, private schools have more freedom to customize lessons to students’ individual ways of learning. Private schools can also point to low studentteacher ratios, freedom from state standards and testing, and lots of extras like music, foreign languages, and art that are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools. Rest assured, promise school experts, there is a school out there to suit every child. There are two primary sorts of private schools— independent schools and parochial schools. Independent schools are defined as nonprofit private schools with their own governing board of trustees. While most people commonly refer to independent schools as private, lumping them in with parochial
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
Private schools can also point to low student-teacher ratios, freedom from state standards and testing, and lots of extras like music, foreign languages, and art that are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools. and for profit schools, they are distinct because they are nonprofit and self-governing. Parochial schools, where tuition is typically one-third that of independent schools, offer traditional instruction and have solid reputations. Families who are “in-parish,” that is, who live within the schools’ official parish boundaries or volunteer and participate regularly in the parish, get first priority. Otherwise the application procedures are similar to independent schools. >>>
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A one-to-one school like no other... For students who need an alternative to traditional.
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Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
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Why Consider Private School? cont’d. When considering private school education, think about these benefits as outlined by the Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area (www.issfba.org): High academic standards Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, and encourage critical thinking. A larger percentage of students at independent schools are enrolled in advanced courses than in public schools. Small classes and individual attention Independent schools have low student-teacher ratios that encourage close connections with students. The median ratio in schools that are members of the National Association of Independent Schools in 2019–2020 was 8.5 students to 1 teacher. Excellent teachers Educators usually teach in their areas of expertise and are passionate about what they do. With more autonomy within the classroom, teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each student learns and what motivates and inspires each individually.
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
Greater likelihood of a student completing a bachelor’s or graduate degree education. Independent schools nurture not just students’ intellectual ability and curiosity but also their personal and social growth and civic conscience. Opportunities extend well beyond the classroom to athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and school leadership experiences. Inclusiveness Schools maintain diverse and vibrant student communities and welcome and respect each family. In 2019–20, students of color were 33 percent of total independent school enrollment nationally. A community of parents who actively participate in their children’s education Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals for the student. The opportunity to choose a school with a mission You can select a school whose philosophy, values, and teaching approach is right for your child.
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Armstrong Believes In Your Child As Much As You Do Charles Armstrong School is renowned in the Bay Area for serving students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. Armstrong’s comprehensive learning program unlocks the unique potential of our students in Grades 2 through 8, changing the trajectory of their lives.
Start Exploring Armstrong Today! Attend a Prospective Family Information Night 5:00-6:00pm
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Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
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The Private School Search: Where to Start?
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ith every private school brochure flashing standards imposed on public schools. photos of smiling students thriving in A simple way to begin thinking about which private science labs and onstage, it can be hard to school may be right for your child is to look at how the tell schools apart.Though on closer look, each school school is structured. For example, some schools do not has its own personality, spanning a wider range of assign homework and others group different grades educational styles and often offering smaller classes together in one classroom. By doing this step, it is easy than public schools. to rule out schools that are not of interest. Some schools follow distinct It’s time to start thinking about An easy, simple way educational philosophies like fall of 2022 if your child is about to to begin thinking Waldorf or Montessori. Others begin her last year of preschool or focus on music, offer a girlsis in fifth or eighth grade. Starting about which private only student body, a year-round a year before you actually need to school may be right for can help relieve anxiety as well as schedule, or teach their curriculum your child is to look exclusively in French. There give you time to do your research. are schools with impressive The timeline for what can be a at how the school is art, sports, drama, and science rigorous search for private schools structured. programs. Some are K–5 or K–8, begins with open house events and others only grades 6–8, and still others are K–12. All tours starting in September; applications in December of these schools have the luxury of complete freedom and January; and acceptance or rejection letters in in designing curriculum to fit the school’s philisophy early March. The sooner you can start checking out because they are not subject to the state testing schools that interest you, the better, whether those schools are independent or parochial. >>> 10
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PRESCHOOL / San Mateo 650.574.7400 preschool@serendipityschool.com
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The Private School Search: Where to Start? cont’d. Parents who have been through the process before recommend the following combination of first steps: • Look hard at your finances to see what kind of tuition your household is willing to handle. Find out if there are extra costs for books, computers, or after-school care, and if the school offers financial aid. • Weed out schools that won’t work because of things like location or early start times. • Learn basic facts like the number of students enrolled and student-teacher ratio. • Consider your child’s particular learning style by consulting with current teachers (from preschool or day care, for example). • Think about your family’s educational philosophy. Ask how students are tested, and how teachers convey expectations, teach classes and administer grades. • Make a list of what matters most to you and your child. Perhaps it’s that the school is diverse, emphasizes the arts, has a grassy play area or a dance studio. It could also be that your child needs before-school care, elementary grades only, or an alternative learning environment. • Talk to families whose children already attend those schools. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. Ask 12
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
other families what unique programs their children have benefitted from. • If your child is entering kindergarten and has a fall birthday, research schools’ age cutoffs. Private schools usually prefer that children turn five before entering kindergarten. Some use cutoff dates as early as June 1st. • Once you’ve got a list of schools to check out, create a list of admission event dates, application and financial assistance registration deadlines. As parents move through this lengthy process, they should reflect on the desires, needs, and learning styles of their child. This process is different depending on the child’s age. There are things that are clear about a fifth-grader (like how they handle homework and social conflict, whether they favor sports or the arts) that aren’t evident yet with a preschooler. Parents of eighthgraders have the easiest and the hardest time with this. While it’s easier for the parents of a middle-schooler to pinpoint the social tendencies and learning style of their 13-year-old, that teenager often has thoughts of her own about which school to attend. The school search process can be a stressful one. However, with some advance preparation and clear goals, it doesn’t have to be onerous. You might even gain some new insight into yourself and your child along the way. www.ParentsPress.com
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A month-by-month guide to the application process.
Basic Timeline
Although not every school follows the exact schedule, many follow similar timetables for admission. The following is a timeline to help you in the admissions process. Many schools are offering both virtual and in-person admissions events.
AUGUST
(of the year before you want your child to attend)
❑ Define your ideal school. ❑ Find schools that match your child’s needs. ❑ Research and ask questions of schools on your preliminary list.
SEPTEMBER
❑ Browse schools’ websites, look books to learn more about their programs and philosophies. ❑ Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online. ❑ Create a calendar of pertinent admission and financial assitance deadlines for the schools to which you are considering applying. ❑ Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and make appointments. ❑ Register for any standardized tests required for admission. ❑ Review the test websites to learn about procedures and test dates, see sample questions, and purchase testpreparation books.
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
❑ Call schools to schedule individual tours, class visits, interviews, and “shadow days”.
OCTOBER
❑ Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests. ❑ Visit schools, virtually if necessary, during open houses, information sessions, and tours. ❑ Finalize the list of schools to which you will apply. ❑ Take required standardized admission tests.
NOVEMBER
❑ Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests. ❑ Continue to watch for admission events you may want to attend. ❑ Request teacher recommendations from your child’s current school. ❑ Start working on applications, financial assitance forms, student questionnaires, and essays.
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for Applying
to a Private School
DECEMBER
MARCH
❑ Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester.
❑ Watch for financial assitance decisions about this same time.
❑ Complete any remaining applications, questionnaires, etc. Some application materials are due as early as December.
❑ If your student is accepted by multiple schools, decide which school your child will attend.
❑ Continue to watch for any admission or school events of interest.
JANUARY
❑ Pay attention to deadlines: Most schools’ applications are due in January or February, along with tests scores, references, transcripts, and financial assitance forms. ❑ Financial assitance applications are normally due in January or February.
FEBRUARY
❑ For schools with February admissions deadline turn in applications. ❑ Re-visit schools applied to again or have your child participate in a student shadow day if you haven’t already.
❑ Watch for school decisions starting in mid-March.
APRIL
❑ Sign and return enrollment contracts and deposits.
MAY TO SEPTEMBER
❑ Attend events and activities for new parents and students during spring and summer. ❑ Get to know other families in the school. ❑ Sign up for fall sports and clubs.
Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org. www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
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What to Expect When Applying
Y
our first step is to research and visit schools, ideally starting the search at least a year before you plan to submit the application for your child. It takes time to determine which school is the best fit for your child. Navigating the application process can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting. Here are tips on how to get your child into the right school. • After creating your short list of schools, call or email the school’s admissions office to find out about open house events, school tours, private visits, or other events that will allow you to get to know the school as best as possible. The school’s admissions office will also tell you about application requirements, including deadlines and costs. While each school has its own criteria for admitting students, the typical application package involves: • A completed application form, usually available from the school’s website, and application fee. • Parent or guardian statements. 16
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
• A transcript of your child’s grades from her current school. • Results from standardized tests or a schooladministered test. For middle school grades and above, the most common tests are: The Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE; the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT; the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools. Depending on the grade to which you are applying, some schools might also ask for: • Student writing samples. • Student portfolios. • A formal interview, though for elementary school students, the interview more often consists of a teacher observation or individual or group-administered diagnostic tests. School admissions officers are there to help you complete your applications in a timely manner. They also want to make sure that the process is a positive www.ParentsPress.com
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What to Expect When Applying cont’d. experience for you and your child and that there is a good match between your child and the school. Try to avoid:
• Don’t miss application deadlines. But if you do, some schools have rolling admissions and admit students throughout the school year.
• While admissions officers want to be helpful, don’t call too often, overload them with additional information about your child, or try to impress them with your business or social contacts. • Don’t jump on the bandwagon of applying to a school just because your child’s peers are applying. Similarly, don’t just apply to a school because it is one of the “top” schools in the area and boasts of its graduates who go to the Ivies. Be realistic about your child’s strengths, interests, and personality. Apply to schools which are a good fit for your child. • Don’t shy away from disclosing vital information about your child or family—notably about any special academic needs your child has or about your family’s financial need for tuition help. While most private schools cannot afford to meet the academic and financial needs of all students they would like to admit, you won’t increase your child’s chances of acceptance by failing to be upfront about certain information. And, if the school turns your child down for any special issues, it’s likely the school was not a good fit.
Applying After the Deadline Don’t give up on a school if you’ve missed the admissions deadline.
“F
inding a school that will accept your child after the normal admissions deadline has passed is not easy. But it can be done,” says Private School Review, an online site, www.privateschoolreview. com, that profiles private schools. “ You suddenly decide in late winter or early spring that you want to get your child into a private school for fall. Or a job transfer makes finding a private school in a hurry an absolute necessity. So, are you indeed too late? It depends.” First, contact the school’s admissions office, state your case, and see how school officials respond. Some schools have flexible or rolling admissions and accept students as long as the school enrollment roster has room, and some schools create waitlists when full. There is a chance that an accepted student may withdraw or cancel, creating an available spot at the last minute. The bottom line? “Ask anyway. You never know, and it never hurts to ask,” Private School Review advises.
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Shadow Days
A
fter all the open house events, information nights, school tours, and interviews, the best way for kids to evaluate a school is to spend a day on campus. This year schools aree being ceative to allow for safe shadow experiences. Prospective students are matched up with a current student for an individual tour. If school is in session, they go to classes, share time during breaks and lunch, and get an insider’s tour of the campus, experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be a student at that school. Things to know: • Typically, shadow days can be scheduled anytime from October to May. • Visitors are often required to respect the school dress code. • Visiting students are usually allowed to shadow a current student they already know, as long as the request is made in advance. • If prospective students do not know any current students, the school will assign one based on interests in academics, extracurricular activities, etc. • Shadow days are just for students; no parents allowed.
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
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Make the Most of Your Campus Visit
Y
ou’ve looked at the websites, glanced through the glossy brochures, and even heard friends talk glowingly—or not—about the private schools on your short list. Now it’s time to actually set foot on campus. More than anything else, visiting the school— seeing the classrooms, walking around the grounds, and talking to faculty and students—will give you and your child the best sense of whether this is the best environment for your child to learn and thrive. Because the visit is so crucial to deciding on your child’s school, you should make the most of the opportunity. Private school experts offer these suggestions for what to ask about, look for, and consider before, during, and after the visit. • Do some pre-visit research. Read up on the school’s history, educational philosophy, and accomplishments. Ask for information about student-teacher ratios, teacher experience, arts classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities, special programs for students needing academic support, and expectations for parental involvement. Decide ahead of time if there are specific classrooms, facilities, or departments that you or your child want to visit. • If possible, visit on a regular school day, arrange to observe a classroom, and stay to sample a school lunch.
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• General impressions count, but so do the details. Take note of what the grounds and classrooms are like, but also pay attention to specifics: are the bathrooms clean; do staff seemed organized and ready for your visit; what library, science, and technology resources does the school offer? • In the classrooms or on the playground, notice if the students look engaged and well-behaved, including when they transition from one activity or classroom to another. How do students interact with their teachers? Do the teachers seem cheerful and knowledgeable? How do the teachers manage the classrooms or handle discipline? • Talk to as many teachers and students as possible. Find out about homework policies and workloads, the social environment, and opportunities to do arts, sports, and other nonacademic activities. • If the school offers shadow-a-student day for interested students, your child has the opportunity to ask questions of potential schoolmates more freely than if you’re around. • After you and your child finish the visit, jot down your general impressions before leaving.Try to imagine your child in one of the classrooms, or walking the halls. How does that idea look and feel? Remember gut feelings can be important, too.
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
21
Entrance Exam 101
M
ost private schools require students entering middle and high school to take an entrance exam to gain admission to their institutions. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the most commonly accepted standardized tests are the Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE, and the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools. Another often recognized and accepted test is the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT. The ISEE and SSAT tests are to middle and high school what the SAT or ACT is to college. They are administered independently at a set time at a specific location with results sent to designated schools. Often schools schedule these tests on their own campuses, and individual entrance requirements usually specify which test to take. The HSPT, however, does not coordinate national testing days, and test administration is the responsibility of individual schools or dioceses, which determine when to offer the HSPT. Now, all three tests offer at home options. These organizations provide students a secure computerbased testing option to be taken at home when group testing isn’t available. On these exams, students can expect multiplechoice questions that test verbal, math, and reading comprehension skills and a portion that assesses writing ability (though not part of the HSPT). Policies vary according by test on taking practice tests and repeated test attempts. The test results often determine course placement, so more schools have begun to offer preparation test programs to better equip entering students for the real thing. Schools may have 22
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
additional or different requirements for international students.
ISEE
Source: www.iseetest.org LOWER LEVEL FOR Candidates for grades five and six. MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL FOR Candidates for grades seven and eight (Middle); candidates for grades nine through 12 (Upper).
HSPT
Source: www.ststesting.com FOR Students in grade eight for placement in ninth grade.
SSAT
Source: www.ssat.org
The SSAT is a multiple-choice test designed for students in grades three through 11 and is administered on three levels: elementary, middle, and upper. ELEMENTARY LEVEL SSAT FOR Students in grades three and four. MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL SSAT Standard Test (group administered on eight Saturdays), Flex Test (group or individual administered on a different date), Regional Flex Test or Open Flex Test (regional consortia administered). FOR Students in grades 5–7 (Middle) and grades 8–11 (Upper).
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Tips for a Great Essay
A
pplication essays provide ways for private school admissions officers to get to know students beyond their grades, test scores, and basic biographical information. They provide insight into a student’s personality and interests—to help determine if the school is the right fit for your child and vice versa. Aside from the interview, writing the essay can be one of the most stress-producing steps in the application process. These suggestions from private school organizations can break the task of writing the essay into manageable steps that guide your child to crafting a work that makes him stand out to admissions officers. READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY Don’t write a two-sentence essay if the school asks for one page, but don’t write more than one page. And, don’t turn in a typed essay if the school wants it handwritten. TELL THE SCHOOL WHAT IT WANTS TO KNOW Schools often provide an essay prompt, so you need to respond to it. That said, the prompts—such as “recount some activity or event that challenged you in a positive way”—usually allow the applicant lots of leeway to write about a range of topics. START EARLY Do not wait until the night before the application is due to begin writing. Brainstorm and work out ideas with teachers, parents, or others early and give yourself time for revisions. 24
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
TELL A STORY While the essay should have correct spelling and grammar and be legible, it doesn’t have to follow the academic essay formula. A good strategy is to tell a story—even filled with dialogue or vivid description— to get your point across. BE REAL Don’t write what you think an admissions officer wants to hear—because you really have no idea. Write about what you know and what excites you. GET CREATIVE If you are an aspiring writer, for example, ask the school if you can write in verse, instead of the usual narrative. BE CONCRETE Stay away from generalizations, such as “singing by myself in front of my school was challenging.” Instead, provide details or an example of how and why you were scared before that solo singing performance and felt triumphant afterwards. PARENTS, THIS MUST BE YOUR CHILD’S WORK While, as parents, you can provide feedback and help with editing, let your child do all the writing. If you can’t help but get overly involved, consider asking a neutral third party—a teacher, another relative, or a professional consultant—to help your child edit her essay. www.ParentsPress.com
Interview Preparation When students are old enough to be the key subject of interviews, they should be prepared to answer typical questions, such as: • Tell me about yourself: Help your child come up with an answer that doesn’t recite biographical facts but describes his interests and strengths in certain academic areas or extracurricular activities and allows him to talk up his accomplishments. • Why do you want to come to this school? The school wants to find out if the child understands what makes the school unique and whether he sees it as a match for his own personality, academic strengths, interests, and aspirations. So, hopefully, during visits, or in talking to students and faculty, your child has encountered programs or a learning environment that excites him.
T
he idea of your child having to interview to gain admission to a private school sounds downright terrifying. But private school experts say you shouldn’t think of the interview as a high-stakes interrogation. Rather, think of the interview as a two-way conversation that helps everyone involved— school staff, parents, and child—determine if the school is the right fit for your child. The structure of the interview also depends on the school and your child’s age. Typically, the applicant and her family come to the school to look around and talk with an admissions officer or other school staff. The staff might focus on talking with the parents, but with older children and high school students, an admissions officer might speak privately with the child in a formal or more casual situation. Given that the interview is an important part of the application process, and in determining if this school is the best place to educate your child, here are some things you and your child should prepare for so the interview will go well, according to the National Association of Independent Schools and other private school organizations. With younger kids, the school staff will mostly talk to the parents, asking them to describe their child and what they hope their child will gain by attending this school. www.ParentsPress.com
• Talk about subjects or teachers you like: Help your child figure out certain coursework that has recently engaged him, such as a certain book in English class or a social studies field trip to see Egyptian mummies at a museum. Given that the interview is also a chance for you and your child to learn more about the school, help your child prepare to ask questions. Look at the school’s website or think back to visits and help him come up with a list of questions that reflects how the school might nurture his interests. “Will I be able to do dissections in sixth-grade biology?”“Can I audition for school plays in ninth grade?”“What about your study trips overseas?”“What are different ways I can fulfill my community service requirements?” The admissions officers will likely see your child’s curiosity as evidence of his interest in coming to the school. Parents and students should always be honest, experts say. But that doesn’t mean you should accentuate your child’s weaknesses, provide too much information about family challenges, or bad-mouth your child’s current school, even if this current school environment is mostly negative and the reason he’s trying to change schools. Instead, accentuate the positive: A child’s weakness or a family’s challenges are things he is working to overcome; or his current school simply isn’t the right fit for his unique needs and interests. Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
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Why Consider a Boarding School? B oarding schools are a perfect option for many families, providing a home away from home that allows children to focus on their education as well as extracurricular activities such as sports or arts. Education may not be the main reason parents choose to send their kids to boarding school. Some want their children to have a religious base to their education. Others find sports academies which allow their child the ability to train and develop athletic skills while providing a strong college prep education. Some parents favor a specific educational philosophy that can only be found in a boarding school setting. Plus, as was experienced with how education has been affected by situations such as Covid-19, boarding schools can create a stability for students and parents.
HIGH-QUALITY AND UNIQUE EDUCATION POSSIBILITIES • With class sizes at most boarding schools averaging around 10-12 students, there is an opportunity to explore more subjects and attend classes not normally offered in conventional schools. Boarding schools may offer exciting travel opportunities to study ecology, history, political science, or art to give students the advantage of seeing and living their studies. Boarding school have high standards when it comes to selecting teachers. Teachers are expected to create a classroom environment to stimulate discussion and promote student interest. STRONG CONNECTIONS • Boarding Schools create a strong community of students, staff and teachers. With children socializing with a limited number of children their own age, around the clock, a strong sense of community 26
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is developed as well as lifelong friends. Peers encourage each other to try new sports, art, music and awaken interests not available at home. Students build strong connections to their roommates and teachers which builds learning behavior and students’ motivation. These connections often lead to a strong network of motivated people for the rest of their lives. BUILD INDEPENDENCE, DISCIPLINE AND MATURITY • Boarding schools teach children to take care of themselves which turns them into an independent individual for life. Students at boarding schools learn to be self-reliant and responsible at an earlier age than conventional students. These students learn to follow and maintain a schedule, how to follow school rules and take responsibility for their actions, as well as, learn to make decisions and be better prepared for making difficult choices as they grow into adults. INNOVATIVE TEACHING TECHNIQUES • Boarding schools are also known to be quite innovative and to provide students with the latest technologies in order to improve the learning experience. This may translate into boarders’ higher acceptance by leading universities and better job opportunities later on. WEEKENDS AT HOME • If not seeing your child for weeks at a time sounds a bit daunting look for boarding schools which offer a five day a week program to allow for students to spend weekends with their families.
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An Athenian education prepares students for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment Your home away from home–Grades 9-12 boarding on 75-acre campus of rolling, oak-covered hills that lies at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, just 32 miles East of San Francisco. Join us at an Open House: Middle – Nov 13 or Jan 8 | Upper – Nov 14 or Jan 9
Life is an adventure of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd • Danville • 925-837-5375 • www.athenian.org
Woodside Priory School At Woodside Priory School, our mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong stewards, and productively serve a world in need of their gifts.
Facts About Priory
Founded in 1957 by seven Benedictine Monks from Hungary 400 students in grades 6-12 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio Over $3.5 million awarded in need-based financial aid 14 countries represented in on-campus boarding program 12 different sports, 18 teams offered Over 30 clubs including MUN and Robotics 302 Portola Rd. Portola Valley, CA 94028 admissions@prioryca.org www.ParentsPress.com
prioryca.org/admissions
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Educating Global Citizens The East Bay German International School (EBGIS) is a dual-language immersion school offering preschool through high school programs. Our integrated curriculum combines bilingual German and English instruction with project-based learning and a cross-cultural experience. We offer exceptional academics, a diverse international perspective, and a vibrant community of students, parents and teachers. No prior knowledge of German is needed to join our Preschool and Kindergarten programs. Students need not be fluent in German to join our Elementary and Middle Schools. Talk to us about individualized language support.
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We prioritize in-person instruction with rigorous health and safety measures. Open House October 30, 2021 January 22, 2022 10 am - 3 pm Online Info Sessions are offered for all programs. Register at: https://www.ebgis.org/ admissions/visit-us 1070 41st Street Emeryville, CA 94608 (510)380-0302 admissions@ebgis.org
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Financial Assistance: Basics You Need to Know
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very private school has its own policies about who receives financial assistance, what types of assistance are awarded, and how much assistance a particular family will receive. In most cases, the financial aid office cannot tell you if your family will qualify for financial aid until you submit an application that allows the school to evaluate your unique situation. HOW SCHOOLS DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID To determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must submit an application form and financial statements. There is no income limit that automatically makes your family ineligible for financial aid. Financial aid officers take into account your income, assets, and expenses, including educational costs for other children. Bottom line: If you feel your family cannot afford to pay the full cost, regardless of your income, it’s worth the effort to submit a financial aid application. WHEN TO APPLY Every school has its own financial aid schedule, and the deadlines are different for schools with rolling admissions. In general, most financial aid applications are due in January or February. Check with your school of choice for the deadline. You will receive a financial aid decision shortly after your child is admitted to a particular school. TYPES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE • Grants are the most common type of financial aid offered by private schools. They are awarded annually to students who demonstrate financial need, and students must re-apply each year. Grant money comes from the school’s budget and does not have to be paid back.
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• Merit scholarships awarded by the school are rare and are usually reserved for students who have a special talent that the school is seeking, such as art, music, or academics. Generally, scholarships are based on financial need. They may be awarded once, annually, or as long as the student meets the scholarship criteria. • Scholarships from outside organizations are also rare, and often awarded by local chapters of national groups like the Rotary Club. Ask the school for a list of organizations that have provided scholarships to their students in the past, and check the list on parents.nais.org. Each scholarship program will have its own eligibility rules, application, and deadlines. • Tuition loans are personal loans provided by a private lender. You must apply directly to the lender, and your loan amount and interest rate will depend on the lender’s credit requirements. Some use loans to pay for expenses not covered by a grant. • Tuition Payment Plans allow you to make monthly payments rather than writing one or two large checks each year. Schools offer payment plans through a third-party financial services company, which charges a relatively small fee. • Sibling discounts are designed to help families with more than one child enrolled in the same school. Many schools are shrinking these discounts, or phasing them out altogether. Even so, it’s worth asking if this situation applies to you. Most families pay for tuition through a combination of these options. The school’s financial aid officer can help you create a financing plan that fits your family’s needs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and explore all the options available to you.
Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org.
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Myths About Financial Assistance MYTH: An independent school education is out of reach for all but wealthy families. REALITY: Tuition can be expensive. But hundreds of private schools offer financial assistance to make sure that the students they’ve admitted have a realistic chance to enroll, no matter what their families’ financial status. MYTH: All schools our child applies to will offer our family the same financial aid package. REALITY: How much assistance you receive may vary a lot from school to school. The amount a school can offer depends on factors such as the size of its endowment, its tuition costs, and its philosophy about providing aid. If your decision to send your child to an independent school depends on getting some financial help, it pays to apply for aid at more than one school. MYTH: The deadlines for admission and financial aid are the same. REALITY: Often the deadlines are not the same. Check with each school (the deadlines are usually on the school’s website), and be sure to keep track of what you must do when. Do not wait to begin the financial aid process until after you receive an admission decision. It pays to complete both admission and financial aid applications at the same time, even if they’re due on different dates; plus many schools require that they be done at the same time. MYTH: The financial aid application process is complicated. 30
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REALITY: There’s some truth to this one, but schools’ financial aid offices are working hard to make the process as clear and convenient as possible. More than 2,100 schools use SSS, School and Student Services by NAIS, to help them make financial aid decisions. This means you may only have to fill out one form to apply for financial aid at several schools. The form and instructions are available online. In addition, many schools offer financial aid workshops, and staffers welcome your calls any time you have questions. MYTH: If we tell the school our family needs financial aid, this might hurt our child’s chances of being admitted. REALITY: The typical school will not reject a qualified student’s admission application because the child is applying for financial aid. That said: Admission is not a guarantee that the student’s family will receive financial aid. The amount of aid depends on the family’s eligibility and the funds the school has available. MYTH: It’s too intimidating to talk to the school about our private financial matters. REALITY: The school is your very best source of realistic information about the procedures and timelines for getting aid and of advice about the types of financial assistance available. The members of the financial aid staff want you to turn to them for help. Really. Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org. www.ParentsPress.com
The Acceptance and Decision
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he application is completed, interviews and shadow • Ask to talk to some teachers. days all done—all that’s left is waiting for the • Talk to graduates or current families of the acceptance letter (or email) and then the big school—especially any who have come from your decision. Usually, acceptance (or rejection or waitlist) child’s current school. notifications go out on a Friday in mid-March, and • Encourage your child to talk to other students. families then have seven days to decide where their child will attend. So how to make the decision? ONCE YOU DECIDE When you learn about your child’s acceptance, you • Be sure to contact the school you choose by the will also learn about financial assistance awards. If the reply deadline. grant you receive does not meet your needs, or if you are • Let all schools where you were admitted know not awarded any financial assitance, contact the school’s of your final decision so they can contact other financial assitance officer to learn about other options. families on their wait list. The following are tips on choosing a school from the • Return your signed enrollment contract and National Association of Independent Schools. tuition deposit. WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ACCEPTED IF YOU’RE WAITLISTED • If you’re certain about the school, say yes—but feel free to take the full seven days to sit with the decision • Call the school right away and let admissions to make sure it feels right. officials know that you are very interested. Stay in touch with them throughout the summer. SomeDECIDING ON A SCHOOL times children can be accepted off the waitlist just • Discuss the options as a family. days before school begins. • Make a pro and con list for each possible school. IF YOU’RE REJECTED • Revisit your notes from tours and open houses. Follow • Consider other schools. your heart. Revisit your wish list to make sure you’ve fulfilled your priorities. Be sure that your child will thrive • Ask the school for feedback about what factors in the school community you choose. made the difference. Try to approach the issue in a nonjudgmental way; tell the admissions staff you IF YOU ARE NOT SURE want to get information that can help your child • Consider a second visit to the school; have your child do better in the future. do a shadow day if she hasn’t already. www.ParentsPress.com
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Fearless, W
EXCEL
Find out more a 32
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
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We Pursue
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at shcp.edu/visit www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
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How to Find the Your 7 Step Approach
1. Start Early. It takes time to research
5. Tour top choices. Arrange to
2. Determine what criteria is most
6. Contact the preschool.
different styles of preschools and become familiar with common terms used in preschools. Many parents start this process a year ahead of time, some parents even start while pregnant! Children usually attend preschool for two to three years between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years.
important for your child and family. Is it location, faith, type of program offered, language immersion, specialneeds options, year-round program, extended hours, cost? What are the most important factors and options? Rate these so you have a clear picture of where and what programs to focus on and what is the best fit for your child.
3. Utilize local parenting resources. Local
parenting magazines and websites, like Parents’ Press, offer lots of preschool information and open house announcements. These will help you to become familiar with what preschools are available in your area and the program options being offered to help with your selection process. Visit preschool websites that look interesting to find out admissions information. More information can also be found at www.ParentsPress.com
4. Ask around. Talk to other parents in
your area to see what programs they were part of, and if they would recommend them. Find out what they liked most and least about the school. How long did their child attend? Did they experience any teacher turnover? What was the culture like? How did they handle sick days, potty training and behavioral issues? How involved were the parents in the school? Are the parents and children still in contact with others from the preschool?
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take a tour or go to an open house to learn about the school philosophy and the admissions process. Most schools prefer for you to pre-register for these. Have your list of questions ready (see page 20 for Questions to Ask) and observe. Look for signs that the preschool is well run. Also, this is a time that the preschool uses to determine which families will be a good fit for their program.
Before you apply, find out the preschool’s admissions schedule and how many openings they will have and how many spots will be reserved for siblings of families already enrolled. If you are concerned that your top choice or choices have way more applicants than spots it would be a wise idea to apply to more than one preschool even though there may be an application fee.
7. Apply to your top choice. You have done your research, established your criteria and taken the tour, now is time to apply to your top choice. Some preschools have ongoing enrollment but most follow the school year format. Acceptance letters go out in the spring for the following fall. Find out from the preschool when you can expect to hear from them, one way or another. It is okay to be persistent and let them know you and your family are interested, but don’t be a pest. If your child is waitlisted get specifics from the preschool. What number on the wait list is your child and does the preschool have a commitment from all returning families? If the school is accepting a total of 15 new children and you are way down on the wait list, it is time to consider another option.
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Perfect Preschool The Site Visit
Be prepared with this short question checklist before you step foot into the school
1. First Impressions. Is the
preschool clean, organized and does it have a good feeling about it? Is the staff friendly, and are the teachers in control of the classroom? Inside, are there play areas? Are toys and books in good shape and organized? Outside is there enough room? Are there play areas and toys for all of the kids? Does the preschool feel safe inside and out? Are safety protocols being followed? Does the preschool feel like a place your child can thrive in?
2. The Basics. What are the start and
end times for the core program? If extended care is available, who manages this, and where is it held? What is the daily schedule and is there a different holiday schedule? Are lunch and snacks provided? If not, is refrigeration available? Is the bathroom safe and centrally located with toddler sized facilities? What are the sick policies? Is the facility up to code? What are the emergency protocols? Have the teachers been trained in CPR, first aid and infection control?
3. Teachers and Staff. Is there
enough supervision? Does the teacher-child ratio match or exceed standards? Teacher turnover? What experience do the teachers have and how long have they been teaching at this school? How were they trained? Do the teachers seem happy? How is their interaction with the children? How do they balance the different needs of the children? Do they have a specific approach for teaching social-emotional skills? How do they communicate with the family on concerns? How often are parent-teacher conferences held?
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4. Learning Environment.
Are the children doing the same project or do the children work independently? Are there a variety of learning materials in which children can explore their interests and learn new skills? Is there a focus on reading? How do children decide what to do, when to do it and with whom? What support do teachers provide when a child gets stuck on a project? How are children motivated to participate? How are holidays integrated into the learning experience?
5. Family Involvement. How
involved are the families in the day-to-day operations of the preschool? What opportunities or organized events are available to meet other families during the school year? Are there required volunteer hours or monetary commitments beyond the tuition? Are there fundraising events and what is the money raised used for? Are there opportunities for classroom observation? How do family members participate in celebrations?
6. Visit Final Impression. Do
you feel this preschool is a great fit for your child? Did you feel comfortable with what you saw and the people you interacted with? Did your concerns get addressed? Are there any red flags you need to check up on? Were you encouraged to contact the school with any questions? Is there a clear next step in the process? Every family has specific needs and many preschools can accommodate them. It is important to ask questions now. Don’t be afraid to discuss personal matters, one on one. Chances are the preschool has encountered a similar situation before and is up to the task or may be able to give you direction to an alternative resource.
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Featured Profiles
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
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FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Headlands Preparatory School
H
eadlands Preparatory School is an award winning, WASC-accredited, college preparatory school for grades 6 through 12 with a long history of helping students succeed through individualized learning. Headlands’ unique oneto-one and small group teaching model allows us to tailor instruction to each student, ensuring that students master the material and experience real success in their courses and increased confidence for future learning. Founded on the principle that all students can grow as individuals and learners within a supportive environment, Headlands Preparatory School provides an individualized program aimed at empowering students to develop through learning and engagement. From highly gifted students who find a traditional classroom setting too limiting, to students with learning differences who need a specialized teaching approach to shine academically, Headlands Prep meets students where they are to maximize both their learning and their self-confidence. Headlands Prep first opened as a branch of Tilden Preparatory School, advocating the same philosophy, curriculum, and teaching methodologies as its parent institution. Headlands Prep quickly established itself as a thriving campus in the Marin community, offering a quality program responsive to the needs of its students.
unique learning needs. Headlands Prep currently offers 152 UC-approved courses, including 34 AP and 26 Honors courses. Most courses are taught 1:1, while some electives are taught in small groups. The individualized teaching approach utilized in classes allows students numerous opportunities to develop and articulate their own thoughts, interests, and opinions. At Headlands, parents, teachers, and administrators partner together to create a supportive, positive, and respectful environment to set the stage for students to flourish in a nurturing and uplifting learning community. Students are provided with a transformative educational experience that helps build academic self-esteem, develop self-awareness, and engage as responsible contributors to the global community. Students experience both personal and academic growth as both are nurtured and challenged side by side to develop 21st-century individuals prepared for any path they choose upon leaving Headlands Prep.
In order to fulfill its four pillars of individualized learning, academic mastery, personal growth, and community engagement, Headlands Prep works with each student to identify their strengths and
1050 Bridgeway | Sausalito | 415-944-2254 www.headlandsprep.com/ Parents’ Press
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FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
S
acred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is a Lasallian Vincentian Catholic, college preparatory high school located in the heart of San Francisco’s cultural center. We are dedicated to the intellectual and academic excellence of our students, and we strive to develop the unique talents and passions of each individual. Our devotion is illustrated in our enthusiastic and highly educated teachers, commitment to service and social justice, innovative curriculum and cutting-edge classroom technology. SHC Alumni are accepted into hundreds of colleges across the country, including all of US News & World Report’s Top 10 National Universities. At SHC, academic excellence is not only measured in the range and quality of our courses, but in our students’ curiosity, drive and desire to learn. We challenge our students to stretch themselves, to experience and learn as much as they can, to honor their passions and develop their talents, to generously share those talents, to become their best selves.
Students and their families choose SHC for the strength of our academics, our diverse array of cocurricular opportunities, and for the warmth of our inclusive and nurturing community. To schedule a tour, contact Director of Admissions Tim Burke ’70 at tburke@shcp.edu or 415.775.6626 ext. 729.
We believe that academic, intellectual, emotional, personal and creative development invigorates the whole student. Our cocurricular programs are essential, not extra, elements to the student experience at SHC. Our students excel on the field, onstage and as leaders in our community, just as they do in the classroom. Our state-ofthe-art facilities allow students to engage in a collaborative learning experience, and our successful Bring Your Own Device program gives students the autonomy to use the tools most relevant to them in a digitally diverse and everchanging world.
1055 Ellis St. | San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415.775.6626 shcp.edu 38
Guide to Private Schools
Educational Model The Salesian College Preparatory (SCP) educational model serves to create a caring, loving, and nurturing environment where the young of all faiths can learn (school), grow in faith (church), feel a sense of belonging (home), and ultimately be happy (playground). The students are always at the center of all we do at Salesian, as “Education is a matter of the heart.” St. John Bosco Robust Transportation Program Our transportation program plays an important role in getting many of our students to and from school. Salesian offers van service throughout the East Bay including Berkeley, Oakland, Fairfield, Benicia, Vallejo, Hercules, Pinole, Concord, Antioch, and Pittsburg with new routes added annually as needed. Diverse Student Body and Curriculum Offering Salesian believes that understanding the past is imperative to our ability to live in the present and shape a more stable future. We strive to offer our students a comprehensive window into the past through connecting historically relevant issues with contemporary events while exploring our shared and individual experiences. Salesian has the pleasure and privilege of instructing a racially, ethnically, ideologically, and intellectually diverse collection of students, which provides opportunities to think more critically of the world around them and encourages them to build a more just society.
County offering Project Lead the Way's Biomedical Science pathway designed for students who excel in mathematics and natural sciences and are interested in the fields of biology or medicine. This program provides a transformative learning experience. Students who complete the four year program graduate with transportable skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and ethical reasoning and mindset. College Preparatory with Top Tier Acceptances Students who enjoy an environment of discovery thrive at Salesian. Salesian should be the college preparatory high school of choice for families who seek a rigorous and challenging academic environment that mirrors the diversity of the East Bay and our world. It is a real life experience that nurtures the whole student, preparing them for college and life beyond. Salesian graduates have been accepted to California’s top tier UCs, CSUs, and many prestigious colleges including Stanford, Howard and Georgetown.
Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Pathway Salesian is the only private co-educational college preparatory school in Contra Costa 2851 Salesian Ave • Richmond • CA • 94804 • 510-234-4433 www.salesian.com Parents’ Press
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FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Salesian College Preparatory
FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Fusion Academy
S
ince 1989, Fusion has provided a revolutionary educational experience that has allowed thousands of students reach emotional well-being and intellectual achievement. Fusion Academy is an accredited, private academy and learning center that offers class sizes as small as they come: just one student and one teacher per classroom. Personalization and customization are key elements of the Fusion school model. The curriculum meets state standards, and classes are self-paced and taught in a way that considers each student’s individual interests, strengths, and learning style. Students can sign up for tutoring, classes for credit, or full-time academy enrollment. Flexible scheduling and year-round, open enrollment is an advantage for students who have active lives outside of school.
to provide students with opportunities for creative expression.
Student life is much like larger schools with clubs, dances, field trips, and international excursions. Additionally, Fusion Academy has a “no homework at home” policy, so students complete their homework before they leave for the day with teacher supervision in the Homework Café®.
Fusion campuses are open in San Francisco, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, Los Gatos, Marin, and Palo Alto. For the most personalized schedule, register early! For more information go to www.fusionacademy. com. Los Gatos 408.354.0743
Marin 415.472.1421
San Francisco 415.765.9078
San Mateo 650.312.8305
Walnut Creek 925.296.0053
Palo Alto 650.857.0634
Fusion Academy fosters strong, positive relationships between students, teachers, and parents. From remedial classes to honors, Fusion fully adapts to each student where they are and helps them unlock their academic potential and achieve personal growth. Fusion also partners with outside therapeutic professionals and programs to support students’ emotional health and create a balance between learning and life. Each campus is equipped with a state-of-the-art recording studio and a full mixed-media art studio
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Guide to Private Schools
FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Serendipity School
S
erendipity: n. The gift of discovering valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for
Serendipity School: A setting for unexpected and exciting learning experiences that are sparked by discovery, guided by individuality, and supported by community Serendipity School is a rare and remarkable place: an encouraging, engaging, and empowering learning community where academic and personal discovery is prized, where the path to excellence is an individual adventure. A unique educational institution dedicated to progressive education, active and hands-on learning, differentiated instruction, and teaching to the whole child, Serendipity School is committed to the process and journey of learning. The result is a community of students who grow to be lifelong, joyful, and invested learners. INDIVIDUALITY Serendipity School’s rich and multifaceted programs promote each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development in positive ways designed to further curiosity and creativity. Our programs encompass each child’s participation, interest, enthusiasm, and ideas. All Serendipity students are encouraged to meet challenges and strive for excellence.
educators teach to the whole child, and implement a differentiated curriculum that is both diverse and dynamic. COMMUNITY Serendipity School supports effort and achievement by empowering students and giving them tools for academic success. Serendipity helps students to grow and learn with confidence and enthusiasm. Serendipity School students are empowered to experiment, assume academic risk, and take an interest in and responsibility for the world around them. “Serendipity finds the little thing that makes each child unique and expounds upon that. It creates children who are confident, self-aware, and ready to face the world.” Serendipity School Parent Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School Education
DISCOVERY Serendipity School believes in providing an educational experience that treats children as individuals and engages students throughout the learning process. Our highly skilled and trained San Mateo and Belmont • CA 650-574-7400 (Preschool) 650-596-9100 (Kindergarten and Elementary) www.serendipityschool.com/ Parents’ Press
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FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
Charles Armstrong School
Providing Over 50 Years of Transformational Education! Our Mission: Charles Armstrong School unlocks the unique potential of students with dyslexia and related learning differences, changing the trajectory of their lives Our Values: We are student-centered. • Our instructional approach embraces neurodiversity. • We nurture and celebrate individual strengths and talents. • We cultivate self-confidence and the joy of learning. We grow together. • Our highly-trained faculty foster continuous student growth within a supportive environment. • We educate and actively partner with families. We honor community. • Our students’ shared experience cultivates a sense of belonging. • Our families, faculty, and staff develop meaningful, lasting relationships.
• And believe in a positive, collaborative partnership with families • Visit Armstrong: Register on our website to attend a Virtual Information Night or schedule a Virtual Tour. Armstrong At A Glance: Number of Students: 240 Student to Teacher Ratio: 4.5 to 1 Students per Classroom: Lower School 12-18; Middle School 17-19 Grade Levels: 2nd - 8th Founded in 1968, with families attending from across the Bay area Accreditations: WASC accreditation and CAIS provisional accreditation Leader in the field of dyslexia education, with a proven and long-standing track record of teaching students with language-based learning differences in ways they learn best.
We meet students where they are and provide: • A rich academic curriculum • A safe learning environment • Structured and systematic instructions • Appropriately paced lessons • Multi-sensory and mult-model learning methods • Movement, mindfulness and brain boosts throughout the day • Integrated social emotional learning
1405 Solana Drive | Belmont, California 94002 | 650-592-7570 www.charlesarmstrong.org 42
Guide to Private Schools
FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
KFS School KFS SCHOOL was founded by Kahlon Family Services LLC in January of 2016, our school’s mission every day is working as hard as we can to bring quality education toall Children who are bright and have been called Twice Exceptional (2E).
Our educational inspiration stems from believing in the potential and strength of each child. We actively guide every aspect of each child’s individuality, character and well-being on a personal level and in a group setting. We provide each child with a comprehensive environment to nurture his/her learning style through their own curiosity, passion for learning, and social interaction. We strive to create opportunities for learning, exploration, creativity and selfexpression. 1335 Columbus Avenue San Francisco, California 94133 415-525-4035 www.kfsschool.org
We are a year-round school! WASC Accreditation in process!
Discover Stratford School When you provide a safe environment to learn, the extraordinary happens.
A
Multiple Locations Throughout the Bay Area www.stratfordschools.com
t Stratford, high expectations yield extraordinary results. We start early with an intentionally balanced curriculum that challenges students and accelerates achievement. Our ever-evolving, STEAMbased (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum ensures students develop the diverse set of problem-solving skills and creative talents they’ll need in today’s world. Our passionate teachers cultivate a nurturing and fun classroom environment, where children feel safe and eager to try new things. Beyond the classroom, we help students discover and define their passions through a variety of extracurricular activities, personal development, and enrichment. This carefully orchestrated approach prepares students to become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators, and confident, insightful leaders. Learn more by visiting www.stratfordschools.com!
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FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
St. Thomas the Apostle Preschool A accredited catholic preschool/day care center located in the Outer Richmond district of San Francisco. It is committed to the mission of the STA Church by providing a quality and an age appropriate learning environment to our young learners. St. Thomas the Apostle Preschool is a special place that values each child’s unique cultural background and learning ability. We strive to implement our “Learning Through Fun” journey to achieve each child’s developmental needs, and would love to laugh, play and grow together with your child. • 4 classes – younger 3yrs, older 3yrs, and two pre-kindergarten classes • Part time and full time programs
710 40th Ave San Francisco, CA 94112 415-387-5511 www.sfsta.org
• Enrichment programs tuition fee included already; Chinese, Spanish, and Music lessons • Fully accredited preschool/day care center • Financial aid
Terra Marin School Terra Marin Preschool-8th grade is an independent, progressive school located in the beautiful hills of Mill Valley. At Terra Marin, we believe intelligence goes far beyond the three R's (Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic) of past decades. We take a global view of your child that embraces her as a unique individual capable of developing multiple types of intelligences. We educate the whole child, striving for his holistic emotional, social and cognitive development. This synergy allows your child to feel simultaneously supported, safe and challenged.
70 Lomita Drive Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-906-2220 www.terramarin.org 44
Guide to Private Schools
Students receive individualized academic and social/ emotional mentorship from our distinguished staff of educators including engaging academics tailored to each child's abilities & strengths, Earth Education, world languages, a dynamic creative arts program & a community built on diversity & multicultural appreciation. We accept students throughout the year in our rolling admissions process and offer several admissions events throughout the season. Join us to get to know Terra Marin.
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG IMPACT College Prep High School Since 1980
T
he Marin School is an independent, college-prep high school in San Rafael. Small by design, TMS students thrive in a challenging, collaborative environment where dedicated faculty set high expectations and encourage each student to realize their full potential. We offer a UC-approved, thought-provoking curriculum, with a creative approach to everything we do. Our small, supportive environment inspires our students to take risks and explore new ideas.
150 N. San Pedro Road San Rafael, CA 94903 415-339-9336 www.themarinschool.org
Unique STEM offerings include Virology, Zoology, and our FabLab Maker space. Digital, Visual and Performing Arts electives provide opportunities for artists at all levels to refine their skills. Our sports teams compete in a small-school sports league with an emphasis on health and wellness - all teams are co-ed and no tryouts are required. A daily shuttle service makes stops along a central corridor throughout San Francisco and Marin County.
Learn more about how a small school can make a BIG impact. Schedule your visit today!
La Scuola International School The world has changed and it’s time for education to catch up. That’s why, every day, it’s the students at La Scuola who ask the provocative questions… they lead—and embrace—their own ability to learn across languages, across cultures, and across subjects. Because when children are open to the world and protagonists in their own education, there’s no limit to their ability to learn, find beauty in life, and discover extraordinary answers.
728 20th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 415-551-0000 www.lascuolasf.org/inquire Parents’ Press
45
FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES
The Marin School
BOARDING SCHOOL PROFILES
The Athenian School Athenian believes that the best way to master academic subjects is to experience their application first hand. In our rigorous academic program, you and other talented students from the East Bay and around the world will immerse yourselves in coursework, inspiring each other to think critically, problem solve, and collaborate as global citizens. As an Athenian graduate, you will thrive in any of the nation's best colleges and be poised for a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution. Your home away from home! 535 day and boarding students enjoy a beautiful 75-acre campus at the base of Mt. Diablo. Distinctive programs include middle school focus days, learning by doing in student-focused projects, engineering design, international exchange, and a signature grade 11 wilderness experience. Graduates attend many colleges, carefully matched for each student's learning style and goals. One of our graduates said, "Athenian is school as it should be."
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Danville, CA 94506 925-837-5375 www.athenian.org Join us at an Open House: Middle – Nov 13 or Jan 8 | Upper – Nov 14 or Jan 9
Woodside Priory School Woodside Priory School is a co-educational, college preparatory Catholic Benedictine school. Serving grades 6 through 12 and with a student population of around 400 students, we also offer a boarding option for our upper school.
Woodside Priory School's mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners and stewards, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts. Throughout their time at Priory, our students are encouraged to try new activities while simultaneously engaging with cherished ones. Anchored by our Benedictine values of Community, Hospitality, Individuality, Integrity, and Spirituality, our students are engaged with vigor and purpose. 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 650-851-8221 www.prioryca.org 46
Guide to Private Schools
Featured Listings
www.ParentsPress.com
Featured Preschools Featured Preschools
Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care
Notes
Tuition Notes
PK 10:1
Montessori
Please Call
18 mos - 15 yrs
Montessori
Please Call
PK-8 320
Non Denominational
$1,970 - $4,150
Marin County Preschools Corte Madera Corte Madera Montessori 50 El Camino Dr #10 Corte Madera • 415-927-0919 www.cortemaderamontessori.com
Marin Montessori School 5200 Paradise Dr Corte Madera • 415-924-5388 www.marinmontessori.org
Larkspur Marin Primary and Middle School 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Larkspur • 415-924-2608 www.mpms.org
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
www.ParentsPress.com
Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care
Notes
Tuition Notes
Toddler-K Co-Ed
Independent
Please Call
PK-8 Co-Ed 8:1
Independent
Please Call
PS-8 Co-Ed 12:1 8:45 am - 3:30 pm
Non Denominational Mandarin or Spanish Immersion Preschool
$20,000 - $27,810 annual
PK-8 Co-Ed 16:1
Lutheran
Please Call FA Available
PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1
Christian
Please Call FA Available
2.10 - 6 yrs 36 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Independent
$1,538 - $2,029
PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1
Waldorf
Please Call FA Available
PK-6 Co-Ed 12:1
Independent
Please Call FA Available
PS-K Co-Ed
Independent
Please Call
2.9 - 5 yrs Co-Ed
Independent
Please Call
FEATURED PRESCHOOLS
Featured Preschools Mill Valley Guidepost Montessori 270 Miller Ave. Mill Valley • 866-202-8593 www.guidepostmontessori.com/millvalley/school
Marin Horizon School 305 Montford Ave. Mill Valley • 415-388-8408 www.marinhorizon.org
Terra Marin School (see pg 44) 70 Lomita Drive Mill Valley • 415-906-2220 www.terramarin.org
Novato Good Shepherd Lutheran School 1180 Lynwood Drive Novato • 415-892-2880 www.gslsnovato.org
Marin Christian Academy 1370 S. Novato Blvd. Novato • 415-892-5713 www.marinchristian.org
San Anselmo San Anselmo Montessori School 100 Shaw Drive San Anselmo • 415-457-3428 www.samontessori.com
San Rafael Marin Waldorf School 755 Idylberry Road San Rafael • 415-479-8190 www.marinwaldorf.org
Montessori de Terra Linda 610 Del Ganado Road San Rafael • 415-479-7373 www.mdtl.org
Montessori in Motion 3 Wellbrock Heights San Rafael • 415-472-5622 www.montessoriinmotion.com
Sausalito The Discovery School 557 McReynolds Rd Suite 100 Sausalito • 415-339-3900 www.thediscoveryschoolbadm.org
www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
49
FEATURED PRESCHOOLS
Featured Preschools
Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care
Notes
Tuition Notes
San Francisco Preschools Big City Montessori School 240 Industrial Street San Francisco • 415-648-5777 www.bigcitymontessorischool.com
Children’s Day School
2-1/2 - 6 yrs 75 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
$2,750
3 - 14 yrs 481 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Summer Programs
$150-$3,500
2 - 5.9 yrs 60 Co-Ed 8:20 am-4:15 pm
Independent
$771 - $1,933 per month
65 Funston Avenue San Francisco • 415-921-2328 www.cowhollowschool.org/
French American International School
PK-12 Co-Ed
Independent
Varies by Program
PS-8 Co-Ed
Official German School Abroad English, German
$2,033 $2,700 per month FA Available
333 Dolores Street San Francisco • 415-861-5432 www.cds-sf.org
Cow Hollow School
1155 Page St San Francisco • 415-231-5733 www.internationalsf.org
German International School of Silicon Valley, San Francisco Campus 117 Diamond St San Francisco • 650-254-0748 www.gissv.org
100
¡HolaKids! Preschool
2 - 5 yrs 22 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
1021 Sanchez St. San Francisco • 415-606-1205 www.languageinaction.com
La Scuola International School (see pgs 13, 45)
$920 - $1,990
PS-8 Co-Ed PS 7:1 300
Independent Italian
$29,850 - $38,850
Montessori Children’s Center
2 - 6 yrs
Summer Programs
Please Call
80 Juan Bautista Cir San Francisco • 415-333-4410 www.montessorichildrenscenter.org
8:30 am - 3:00 pm Summer Programs
$290 - $473
728 20th Street San Francisco • 415-551-0000 www.lascuolasf.org/inquire
Noe Valley Nursery School 5210 Diamond Heights Boulevard San Francisco • 415-647-2278 www.noevalleynurseryschool.com
Russian Hill School 2026 Divisadero St San Francisco • 415-309-9553 www.russianhillschool.org
San Francisco Montessori Academy 1283 22nd Ave & 1566 32nd Ave San Francisco • 415-759-5710 www.sfmontessoriacademy.com 50
2.9 - 5 yrs 27 9:00 am - 12:30 pm 2.9 - 6 yrs 36 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
$1,793 - $3,586
3 - 6 yrs 23 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
$2,500
Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
www.ParentsPress.com
Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care
St. James Preschool
2 - 5 yrs 45 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
4620 California Street San Francisco • 415-752-8258 www.stjamespreschoolsf.org
St. Thomas the Apostle Preschool (see pgs 17, 44) 710 40th Avenue San Franicsco • 415-387-5511 www.sfsta.org
Stratford School (see pgs 19, 45) 645 14th Ave. San Francisco • 415-742-4254 www.stratfordsf14.com
Stratford School Parkside (see pgs 19, 45) 2425 19th Ave. San Francisco • 415-564-6250 www.stratfordsfparkside.com
Notes
Tuition Notes
FEATURED PRESCHOOLS
Featured Preschools
$5,900 to $21,000 for School Year
2.9 yr - 5 Up to 75 children Non Denominational 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Accredited Education Based
$655 - $1,570 Center
PS-6 Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K-6)
Independent English, Mandarin
Varies by Program
PS-PK Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K)
Independent English, Spanish
Varies by Program
Sonoma Preschools Petaluma The Spring Hill School
18 mos - 6 yrs
825 Middlefield Dr Petaluma • 707-763-7299 www.thespringhillschool.org
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Windsor Christian Academy
3 - 5 yrs
10285 Starr Rd Windsor • 707-838-3757 www.windsorchristianacademy.org
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Varies FA Available Summer Programs $300 - $1,100 FA Available
Santa Rosa Brush Creek Montessori School
PS - Grade 6
Varies FA Available
1569 Brush Creek Rd Santa Rosa • 707-539-7980 www.bcmontessori.org
St Eugene Cathedral Preschool
3 - 5 yrs
Varies FA Available
Summer Programs
2.9 yrs - PK
Varies FA Available
Summer Programs
3 - 5 yrs
Varies FA Available
300 Farmers Ln Santa Rosa • 707-545-7252 www.steugenesch.org
St Luke Preschool 905 Mendocino Ave Santa Rosa • 707-545-6772 www.stluke-lcms.org
St Rose Catholic School 4300 Old Redwood Hwy Santa Rosa • 707-545-0379 www.strosecatholicschool.org
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm
$6,500 - $1,550
Summer Programs
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
655 Willowside Rd Santa Rosa • 707-575-7194 www.summerfieldwaldorf.org www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
51
Featured Private Day School Private Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
Corte Madera Marin County Day School 5221 Paradise Drive Corte Madera • 415-927-5900 www.mcds.org
Marin Montessori School 5200 Paradise Drive Corte Madera • 415-924-5388 www.marinmontessori.org
K-8 Co-Ed 10:1 590
Non Denominational English, Spanish, Mandarin
Please Call
TK-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call
9-12 Co-Ed 24:1 780
Catholic English, Spanish
$22,200 FA Available
PK-8 Co-Ed 7:1
Non Denominational English, Spanish
Please Call
NAIS, CAIS, ISSFBA
Kentfield Marin Catholic High School 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Kentfield • 415-464-3800 www.marincatholic.org
Larkspur Marin Primary and Middle School 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Larkspur • 415-924-2608 www.mpms.org
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
WASC, NAIS, CAIS
www.ParentsPress.com
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
St. Patrick School
K-8 Co-Ed 9:1
Catholic English, Spanish
$22,200 FA Available
Toddler-K Co-Ed
Independent
Please Call
3-12 Co-Ed 5:1
Independent Special Education/ Autism
Please Call
NPS
PK-8 Co-Ed 8:1
Independent English
Please Call
NAIS, CAIS
K-8 Co-Ed 7:1
Independent English
Please Call
NAIS, CAIS, ISSFBA
3-8 Co-Ed 10:1
Independent Dyslexic
Please Call
PS-8 Co-Ed 12:1
Non Denominational English, Spanish, Mandarin
$20,000 $36,070
In Process
PK-8 Co-Ed 16:1
Lutheran English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
ELEA, WASC
PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1
Christian English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
ACSI, WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 10:1
Christian English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
ACSI, WASC
TK-8 Co-Ed 14:1
Catholic English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
WCEA, WASC
120 King St. Larkspur • 415-924-0501 www.stpatricksmarin.org
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Accreditation/ Associations
WCEA, WASC NCEA
Mill Valley Guidepost Montessori 270 Miller Ave. Mill Valley • 866-202-8593 www.guidepostmontessori.com/mill-valley/school
Helix School 145 Lomita Drive Mill Valley • 415-569-5060 www.thehelixschool.org
Marin Horizon School 305 Montford Ave. Mill Valley • 415-388-8408 www.marinhorizon.org
Mount Tamalpais School 100 Harvard Ave. Mill Valley • 415-383-9434 www.mttam.org
Northbridge Academy 17 Buena Vista Ave. Mill Valley • 415-462-5657 www.northbridgeacademy.org
Terra Marin School (see pg 44) 70 Lomita Drive Mill Valley • 415-906-2220 www.terramarin.org
Novato Good Shepherd Lutheran School 1180 Lynwood Drive Novato • 415-892-2880 www.gslsnovato.org
Marin Christian Academy 1370 S. Novato Blvd. Novato • 415-892-5713 www.marinchristian.org
North Bay Christian Academy 6965 Redwood Blvd. Novato • 415-892-8921 www.nbca.com
Our Lady of Loretto School 1811 Virginia Ave. Novato • 415-892-8621 www.school.ollnovato.org
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
53
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
Ross Branson School 39 Fernhill Ave Ross • 415-454-3612 www.branson.org
9-12 Co-Ed 6:1
Independent English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
WASC, CAIS, NAIS
K-12 Co-Ed 6:1
Independent Special Education
Please Call FA Available
K-12 Co-Ed 6:1
Independent Special Education
Please Call FA Available
PK-K Co-Ed 6:1
Independent English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
AMS
K-12 Co-Ed 10:1
Independent English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
CAIS, WASC, NAIS, TABS
K-8 Co-Ed 7:1
Catholic English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
WASC, WCEA, NCEA
K-8 Co-Ed 9:1
Jewish English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
CAIS, WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 9:1
Independent English
Please Call FA Available
NAIS, CAIS, WASC, ISSFBA
9-12 Co-Ed 6:1 100
Independent English, Spanish, ASL
$52,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1
Waldorf English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
AWSNA, NCPSA, ISSFBA
K-8 Co-Ed 5:1
Independent English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
NAIS, CAIS
San Anselmo Irene M. Hunt School | Side by Side 300 Sunny Hills Drive San Anselmo • 415-457-3200 www.sidebysideyouth.org
Oak Hill School 300 Sunny Hills Drive #6 San Anselmo • 415-457-7601 www.theoakhillschool.org
San Anselmo Montessori School 100 Shaw Drive San Anselmo • 415-457-3428 www.samontessori.com
San Domenico School 1500 Butterfi eld Road San Anselmo • 415-258-1900 www.sandomenico.org
St. Anselm School 40 Belle Ave. San Anselmo • 415-454-3612 www.stanselmschool.com
San Rafael Brandeis Marin 180 N. San Pedro Road San Rafael • 415-472-1833 www.brandeismarin.org
Marin Academy 1600 Mission Ave. San Rafael • 415-453-4550 www.ma.org
Marin School, The (see pgs 17, 45) 150 N San Pedro Rd San Rafael • 415-339-9336 www.themarinschool.org
Marin Waldorf School 755 Idylberry Road San Rafael • 415-479-8190 www.marinwaldorf.org
Mark Day School 39 Trellis Drive San Rafael • 415-454-4455 www.markdayschool.org
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Montessori de Terra Linda
PK-6 Co-Ed 12:1
Independent English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
AMS
PS-K Co-Ed
Independent
Please Call FA Available
AMS
K-8 Co-Ed 18:1 165
Catholic English, Spanish
Please Call FA Available
WCEA, WASC, NCEA, WASC, WECA
1-12 Co-Ed 6:1
Non Denominational Special Education
Please Call FA Available
WASC
K-12 Co-Ed
Independent Special Education
Please Call FA Available
6-12 Co-Ed 1:1 65
Independent Spanish, French, ASL, Japanese, Mandarin
$35,000$65,000 FA Available
WASC
K-8 Co-Ed 9:1 278
Catholic English, Spanish
$13,300 FA Available
WCEA
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
TK-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
9-12 Boys Only 10:1 700
Catholic Spanish ASL Russian Chinese
$17,410 Varies
WASC, WCEA
K-8 Co-Ed 6:1 51
Jewish Hebrew
$12,000 FA Available
WASC
610 Del Ganado Road San Rafael • 415-479-7373 www.mdtl.org
Montessori in Motion 3 Wellbrock Heights San Rafael • 415-472-5622 www.montessoriinmotion.com
Saint Raphael School 1100 Fifth Ave. San Rafael • 415-454-4455 www.markdayschool.org
Star Academy 4470 Redwood Highway San Rafael • 415-456-8727 www.staracademy.org
Winston Preparatory School 1 Saint Vincents Drive San Rafael • 415-993-5533 www.winstonprep.edu
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Accreditation/ Associations
Sausalito Headlands Preparatory School (see pgs 5, 37) 1050 Bridgeway Sausalito • 415-944-2254 www.headlandsprep.com/
Tiburon Saint Hilary School 765 Hilary Drive Tiburon • 415-435-2224 www.sainthilaryschool.org
San Francisco Adda Clevenger School 180 Fair Oaks St San Francisco • 415-824-2240 www.addaclevenger.org
AltSchool Fort Mason 3741 Buchanan St San Francisco • 866-664-2070 www.altschool.com
Archbishop Riordan High School 175 Phelan Avenue San Francisco • 415-586-8200 www.riordanhs.org
Bais Menachem Yeshiva Day School 834 28th Avenue San Francisco • 415-636-9770 www.bmyds.org
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
55
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Bay School of San Francisco
9-12 Co-Ed 8:1 320
Independent English, Spanish, Mandarin
$41,800 30%
K-8 Co-Ed
Jewish
Please Call FA Available
K-8 Boys Only
Episcopal
Please Call FA Available
PK-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
K-8 Co-Ed 449
Non Denominational
Please Call
150 Oak Street San Francisco • 415-865-6000
Convent & Stuart Hall Schools of the Sacred Heart
K-12 Co-Ed
Catholic
Please Call FA Available
K-12 Co-Ed 10:1
Nondenominational English
$4,500 $12,000 50%
9-12 Co-Ed 8:1
Independent English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, ASL
$36,400
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
K-12 Co-Ed 958
Non Denominational French
Please Call
WASC
German International School of Silicon Valley, San Francisco Campus
PS-8 Co-Ed 100
$2,033 $2,700 per month FA Available
DAS, WASC, CAIS, WDA
117 Diamond St San Francisco • 650-254-0748 www.gissv.org
Official German School Abroad English, German
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
30 Keyes Ave. The Presidio San Francisco • 415-684-8949 www.admission.bayschoolsf.org
Brandeis School of San Francisco 655 Brotherhood Way San Francisco • 415-406-1035 www.sfbrandeis.org
Cathedral School for Boys 1275 Sacramento St San Francisco • 415-771-6600 www.cathedralschool.net
Children’s Day School 333 Dolores St San Francisco • 415-861-5432 www.cds-sf.org
Chinese American International School
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
WASC, NAIS, CASE, NACAC, SSATB
WASC
2222 Broadway San Francisco • 415-563-2900 www.sacredsf.org
Discovery Center School 1442 Fulton St. Upstairs San Francisco • 415-724-7458 www.dcssf.com
Drew School of San Francisco 2901 California St. San Francisco • 415-409-3739 www.drewschool.org
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires 659 Pine St San Francisco • 415-421-0069 www.ndvsf.org
French American International School 150 Oak Street San Francisco • 415-558-2022 www.frenchamericansf.org
Hamlin School 2120 Broadway San Francisco • 415-922-0300 www.hamlin.org
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
K-8 Co-Ed
CAIS, WASC, NAIS
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Hillwood Academic Day School 2521 Scott St San Francisco • 415-931-0400 www.holyfamilydayhome.org
Immaculate Conception Academy 3625 24th St. San Francisco • 415-824-2052 www.icacademy.org
Jewish Community High School of the Bay 1835 Ellis Street San Francisco • 415-345-9777 www.jchsofthebay.org
KFS School (see pgs 13, 43) 1335 Columbus Avenue San Francisco • 415-525-4035 www.kfsschool.org
Katherine Delmar Burke School 7070 California St San Francisco • 415-751-0177 www.kdbs.org
Katherine Michiels School 1335 Guerrero Street San Francisco • 415-821-0130 www. www.kmsofsf.org
Kittredge School 2355 Lake St San Francisco • 415-750-8390 www.kittredge.org
La Scuola International School (see pgs 13, 45) 728 20th Street San Francisco • 415-551-0000 www.lascuolasf.org/inquire
Lick-Wilmerding High School 755 Ocean Ave. San Francisco • 415-333-4021 www.lwhs.org
Live Oak School 1555 Mariposa St San Francisco • 415-861-8840 www.liveoaksf.org
Lycée Francais de San Francisco PK-5 755 Ashbury St. San Francisco • 415-661-5232 www.lelycee.org
Lycée Francais de San Francisco 6-12 1201 Ortega St. San Francisco • 415-661-5232 www.lelycee.org
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
9-12 Girls Only 24:1
Catholic Spanish
$2,900 65%
WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 5:1 189
Jewish, Independent Hebrew, Spanish
$8,000$52,211 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
K-8 Co-Ed 4:1 10
Independent English Year Round
$45,000 Year round school
WASC Accreditation in Process
K-8 Girls Only
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
PK-5 Co-Ed 10:1 100
Non Denominational Spanish
$27,563 FA Available
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
PS-8 Co-Ed PS 7:1 K-8 12:1 300
Independent Italian
$29,850 $38,850
IB-PYP, CIS, NAIS, CAIS, WASC, AAIE, NAREA, BADA, CAWS, NAEYC
9-12 Co-Ed 15:1
Independent English, French, Spanish, Mandarin
$35,996
WASC, NAIS, NACAC
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
PK-5 Co-Ed 7:1 1,020
French immersion French, English
$19,580 $25,690
CASE, NAIS, AEFE, WASC
6-12 Co-Ed 7:1 1,020
French immersion French, English, Mandarin, German, Spanish
$19,580 $25,690
CASE, NAIS, AEFE, WASC
NAREA
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
57
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
Mission Dolores Academy 3371 16th St San Francisco • 415-346-9500 www.mdasf.org
Oakes Children’s Center 1550 Treat Ave San Francisco • 415-641-8000 www.oakeschildrenscenter.org
Pacific Preparatory 2443 Fillmore Street San Francisco • 314-722-7737 www.pacificpreparatory.com
Presidio Hill School 3839 Washington St. San Francisco • 415-751-9318 www.presidiohill.org
Presidio Knolls School 250 10th St. San Francisco • 415-202-0770 www.presidioknolls.org
San Francisco Schoolhouse 301 14th Avenue San Francisco • 415-221-3435 www.sfschoolhouse.org/
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (see pgs 32-33, 38) 1055 Ellis Street San Francisco • 415-772-6626 www.shcp.edu
San Francisco City Academy 232 Jones St San Francisco • 415-345-0924 www.sfcityacademy.com
San Francisco Day School 350 Masonic Ave. San Francisco • 415-568-3610 www.sfds.net
San Francisco Pacific Academy 3301 Balboa Street San Francisco • 415-800-0730 www.sanfranciscoacademy.org
St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception (see p. 19) 299 Precita Avenue San Francisco • 415-628-2008 Principal: Barbara Moodie www.saicsf.org
St. Cecilia Elementary 660 Vicente Street San Francisco • 415-731-8400
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational Special Needs
Please Call FA Available
K-12 Co-Ed 1:1 70
Independent Spanish, Latin, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, American Sign Language, Italian
$40,000$80,000
TK-8 Co-Ed 7:1
Nondenominational Spanish
$23,900 $24,950 22%
PK-8 Co-Ed 10:1
Mandarin Immersion Mandarin
$17,000 $22,400 Varies
K-8 Co-Ed 14:1 207
Independent Spanish
$16,664 FA Available
BADA, CALSBOA, NAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 12:1 1,320
Catholic English Spanish French Japanese Mandarin ASL
$23,250 $5 million in FA - over 330 students received
WASC, WCEA
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
K-8 Co-Ed 6:1 400
Independent Spanish, Latin
$29,710 FA Available
CAIS, NAIS
K-8 Co-ed 10:1 88
Independent Russian
$15,000 FA Available
WASC
K-8 Co-Ed 20:1 180
Roman Catholic English
$6,100 $7,800
WASC, WCEA
K-8 Co-Ed 604
Non Denominational
Please Call
WASC
CAIS, NAIS, PEN
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Enrollment
St. Charles Elementary
K-8 Co-Ed 164
Non Denominational
Please Call
WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 1,468
Catholic
Please Call
WASC
K-8 Co-Ed 14:1 207
Catholic Spanish
$6,850 FA Available
WASC
1690 Church Street San Francisco • 415-713-7818 www.stpaulschoolsf.org
St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School (see pgs 17, 44)
PS-8 Co-Ed
Catholic
Please Call FA Available
K - Grade 5 Co-Ed K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies
Non Denominational Spanish
Varies by age
WASC, CSSES
PS-6 Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K-6)
Independent English, Mandarin
Varies by Program
WASC, CPSTEME
6-8 Co-Ed 15:1
Independent English, Spanish
Varies by Program
WASC, CPSTEME
PS-PK Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K)
Independent English, Spanish
Varies by Program
WASC, CPSTEME
K-8 Co-Ed
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
K-8 Boys Only
Non Denominational
Please Call FA Available
9-12 Co-Ed 10:1 425
Non Denominational Chinese, French Spanish
$53,019 FA Available
K-8 Co-Ed
Lutheran
Please Call FA Available
3250 18th Street San Francisco • 415-861-7652
St. Ignatius College Preparatory 2001 37th Avenue San Francisco • 415-731-7500
St. Paul’s School
Affiliation / Notes Languages
Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Private Schools
Accreditation/ Associations
3801 Balboa St San Francisco • 415-221-2711 www.sfsta.org
Stratford School (see pgs 19, 43) 301 DeMontfort Avenue San Francisco • 415-333-3134 www.stratfordsfdemontfort.com
Stratford School (see pgs 19, 43) 645 14th Ave. San Francisco • 415-742-4254 www.stratfordsf14.com
Stratford Middle School (see pgs 19, 43) 75 St. Francis Street San Francisco • 415-715-8648 www.stratfordsfms.com
Stratford School Parkside (see pgs 19, 43) 2425 19th Ave. San Francisco • 415-564-6250 www.stratfordsfparkside.com
Synergy School 1387 Valencia St San Francisco • 415-567-6177 www.synergyschool.org
Town School for Boys 2750 Jackson St San Francisco • 415-921-3747 www.townschool.com
Urban School of San Francisco 1563 Page Street San Francisco • 415-626-2919 www.urbanschool.org
West Portal Lutheran School 200 Sloat Blvd San Francisco • 415-665-6330 www.wplsf.com
More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com
CAIS, CASE, NAIS, NACAC, POCIS, SSATB, WASC
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
59
Featured Boarding Schools Boarding Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Boarding / Day
Archbishop Riordan High School
9-12 Co-Ed 11/1 23 / 825
Catholic Summer Programs
$35,000 $58,000 FA Available
WASC
7-12 Boys Only 15:1 288 / 32
Non Denominational Military
$42,800 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
6-12 Co-Ed 12:1 61 / 469
Independent Summer Programs
$65,420 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 4:1 85 / 13
Independent
$55,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
8-12 Co-Ed
Non Denominational Summer Programs
$47,725
FISA, BC Ministry of Education, The College Board AP Program, BCCIE
Independent Leadership Program Summer Programs
$62,900 FA Available
WASC
175 Phelan Avenue San Francisco, CA • 415-586-8200 www.riordanhs.org
Army and Navy Academy 2605 Carlsbad Boulevard Carlsbad, CA • 888-762-2338 www.armyandnavyacademy.org
The Athenian School (see pgs 27, 46) 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Danville, CA • 510-837-5375 www.athenian.org/
Besant Hill School 8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road Ojai, CA • 805-646-4343 www.besanthill.org/
Bodwell High School 955 Harbourside Drive North Vancouver, BC, Canada • 604-998-1000 www.bodwell.edu
Cate School 1960 Cate Mesa Road Carpinteria, CA • 805-684-4127 www.cate.org/
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
Affiliation Specialty Programs Notes
Boarding Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Summer Programs
470 / 80 9-12 Co-Ed 5:1 227 / 48
Accreditation/ Associations
www.ParentsPress.com
Boarding Schools
Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Boarding / Day
Delphian School
5-12 Co-Ed 10:1 172 / 58
Non Denominational Summer Programs
$54,364 $57,416 FA Available
NWAC, NWAIS, TABS, WBSA, AdvancedEd
5-12 Co-Ed 5:1 100 / 80
Independent Fine & Performing Arts Program Summer Programs
$61,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 7:1 250 / 0
Non Denominational
$62,250 FA Available
NAIS, CAIS
9-12 Girls Only 8:1 43 / 334
Catholic
$61,740 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 12:1 200 / 200
Non Denominational
$57,200 FA Available
HAIS, WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 5:1 277 / 41
Independent Arts Program Summer Programs
$65,091 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 7:1 70 / 5
Non Denominational Summer Programs
$55,000 FA Available
MSASC, NIPSA
9-12 Co-Ed 5:1 85 / 0
Independent Place-based College Prep
$62,100 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 16:1 76 / 564
Christian
$45,900
WASC, ACSI
3-12 Co-Ed 5:1 85 / 163
Independent
WASC, CAIS
Summer Programs
$52,500 $60,500 FA Available
9-12 Co-Ed 12:1 150 / 727
Episcopal Summer Options
$67,100 FA Available
OES, NASC, NWAIS, TABS
11-12 Co-Ed
Non Denominational Arts Focus Summer Options
$32,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
Independent
$39,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
Dunn School 2555 West Highway 154 Los Olivos, CA • 800-287-9197 www.dunnschool.org/
EF Academy 1539 E Howard Street Pasadena, CA • 914-495-6056 www.efacademy.com
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy 440 St. Katherine Drive La Canada Flintridge, CA • 626-685-8521 www.fsha.org/
Hawaii Preparatory Academy 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road Kamuela, HI • 808-881-4321 www.hpa.edu
Idyllwild Arts Academy 52500 Temecula Rd. Idyllwild, CA • 951-659-2171 www.idyllwildarts.org/
Lake Tahoe Preparatory School 255 Squaw Valley Road Olympic Valley, CA • 530-583-8665 www.laketahoeprep.org
Midland School 5100 Figueroa Mtn. Road Los Olivos, CA • 805-688-5114 www.midland-school.org/
Monte Vista Christian School Two School Way Watsonville, CA • 831-722-8178 www.mvcs.org/
Ojai Valley School 723 El Paseo Road Ojai, CA • 805-646-1423 www.ovs.org/
Oregon Episcopal School 6300 SW Nicol Road Portland, OR • 503-768-3115 www.oes.edu
The Oxbow School 530 3rd Street Napa, CA • 707-255-6000 www.oxbowschool.org/
Pilgrim School 540 South Commonwealth Avenue Los Angeles, CA • 213-355-5204 www.pilgrim-school.org/
www.ParentsPress.com
Boarding Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
FEATURED BOARDING SCHOOLS
20950 SW Rock Creek Road Sheridan, OR • 503-843-3521 www.delphian.org
Affiliation Specialty Programs Notes
Summer Programs
45 / 15 9-12 Co-Ed 10:1 26 / 395
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
61
FEATURED BOARDING SCHOOLS
Boarding Schools
Boarding Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Boarding / Day
San Domenico School
9-12 Co-Ed 12:1 120 / 550
Independent
$65,610 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Girls Only 6:1 113 / 103
Catholic
$59,000 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
6-12 Co-Ed 8:1 121 / 22
Independent
$44,600 FA Available
WASC
8-12 Co-Ed 6:1 450 / 650
Non Denominational Summer Programs
$63,460 FA Available
CAIS, WBSA, NAIS, PNAIS, TABS, IECA, SSAT
9-12 Co-Ed 8:1 40 / 28
Non Denominational
$48,800 FA Available
ACIS, TABS
9-12 Co-Ed 10:1 300 / 200
Non Denominational
$68,900 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
8-12 Co-Ed 5:1 60 / 2
Non Denominational Ski Focus
$50,960 FA Available
9-12 Co-Ed
Non Denominational Ice Hockey
$47,500 FA Available
9-12 Co-Ed 5:1 227 / 27
Independent Gifted Programs
$62,810 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 10:1 82 / 136
Independent
$51,500 $61,500 FA Available
WASC
9-12 Co-Ed 6:1 243 / 167
Independent
$68,775 FA Available
WASC, CAIS
9-12 Co-Ed 7:1 50 / 350
Catholic
$76,880 FA Available
WASC, CAIS, SBSA, WBSA, TABS, WCEA
1500 Butterfield Road San Anselmo, CA • 415-258-1900 www.sandomenico.org/
Santa Catalina School 1500 Mark Thomas Drive Monterey, CA • 831-655-9300 www.santacatalina.org
Southwestern Academy 2800 Monterey Road San Marino, CA • 626-799-5010 www.southwesternacademy.edu/
St. Michaels University School 3400 Richmond Road Victoria, Canada • 250-370-6170 www.smus.ca
Steamboat Mountain School 42605 RCR 36 Steamboat Springs, CO • 970-879-1350 www.steamboatmountainschool.org
Stevenson School 3152 Forest Lake Road Pebble Beach, CA • 831-625-8300 www.stevensonschool.org
Sugar Bowl Academy 815 Lupine Trail Norden, CA • 530-426-1844 www.sbacademy.org
Tahoe Prep Academy 2478 Meyers Grade Road South Lake Tahoe, CA • 844-752-9842 www.tahoehockeyacademy.com
The Thacher School 5025 Thacher Road Ojai, CA • 805-646-4377 www.thacher.org/
Villanova Preparatory School 12096 N. Ventura Avenue Ojai, CA • 805-646-1464 www.villanovaprep.org/
The Webb Schools 1175 West Baseline Road Claremont, CA • 909-482-5214 www.webb.org/
Woodside Priory School (see pgs 27, 46) 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA • 650-851-8221 www.prioryca.org
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Parents’ Press | Guide to Private Schools
Affiliation Specialty Programs Notes
Boarding Tuition Range Tuition Assistance
Accreditation/ Associations
Summer Programs
Summer Programs
66 / 5
Summer Programs
Summer Programs
www.ParentsPress.com
What Does Accreditation Mean?
A
ccreditation and professional affiliations and associations indicate a private school has been evaluated by and met or exceeded specific criteria set forth by a designated and agreed-upon accrediting- or affiliation-granting body. These accreditations, affiliations, and associations can be national, regional, or local, covering religious beliefs, educational philosophies, or special interests and last for a specific number of years, often with prescribed steps in the interim to assure compliance. What they have in common is that they serve as a sort of stamp of approval, signifying to colleges and universities that their members operate schools with meaningful education standards. “Accrediting is done by a variety of accrediting organizations,” points out the California Department of Education online (www.cde.ca.gov), citing the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or
WASC, as an example of an established organization that accredits both private and public K–12 schools. “WASC accreditation generally ensures that the credits and diploma awarded by the schools it accredits will be accepted by colleges and prospective employers,” says the CDE, which does not accredit schools. WASC is one of five regional accrediting associations for schools and colleges, and its territory includes schools operating in California. “School accreditation is a peer-review process that fosters excellence in education and encourages school improvement through discovery, dialogue, compliance, and commitment. Accreditation enables a member school to develop clearly defined goals and objectives based on its mission and philosophy,” says the California Association of Independent Schools (www.caisca.org).
A Key to Private School Accreditations, Affiliations, and Associations Here is a list of the accrediting, affiliation, and association bodies that schools list in our Regional Guide to Private Schools.
ACSI — Association of Christian Schools International www.acsi.org AEFE — Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger www.aefe.fr AMI — American Montessori Internationale www.montessori-ami.org AMS — American Montessori Society www.amshq.org AWSNA — Association of Waldorf Schools of North America www.whywaldorfworks.org BADA — Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area www.issfba.org BAMA — Bay Area Montessori Association www.bayareamontessoriassociation.com CAIS — California Association of Independent Schools www.caisca.org CAPSES — California Association of Private Special Education Schools. www.capses.com CAWS — California Association of IB World Schools www.c-aws.org CPSTEME — Carnegie Science Seal of Excellence for STEM www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/ IB, IBO — International Baccalaureate www.ibo.org ISSFBA — Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area www.issfba.org MEN — Ministère de l’Education Nationale www.education.gouv.fr
www.ParentsPress.com
NAEYC — National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org NAIS — National Association of Independent Schools www.nais.org NAREA — North American Reggio Emilia Alliance www.reggioalliance.org NCEA — National Catholic Educational Association www.ncea.org NCPSA — National Council for Private School Accreditation www.ncpsa.org NIPSA — National Independent Private Schools Association www.nipsa.org PACE — Professional Association for Childhood Education www.pacenet.org PEN — Progressive Education Network www.progressiveeducationnetwork.org POCIS — People of Color in Independent Schools of Northern California, www.nocapocis.org RULER — The RULER approach to social and emotional learning www.therulerapproach.org SSS — School & Student Services by NAIS www.sss.nais.org TABS — The Association of Boarding Schools www.tabs.org WASC — Western Association of Schools and Colleges www.wascweb.org WCEA — Western Catholic Education Association www.westwcea.org
Guide to Private Schools | Parents’ Press
63
Armstrong Believes In Your Child As Much As You Do Charles Armstrong School is renowned in the Bay Area for serving students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. Armstrong’s comprehensive learning program unlocks the unique potential of our students in Grades 2 through 8, changing the trajectory of their lives.
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