Private Preschool / Elementary School in San Francisco

Live Oak School, San Francisco:
Live Oak School is an independent, co-educational day school for students in kindergarten through 8th grade located in Potrero Hill, San Francisco. Founded by parents and teachers in 1971, Live Oak draws families from Portrero, Central East, Mission District and other communities throughout the Peninsula. Live Oak is a small school where students and families know each other well. We believe that school is both a place to learn and a place to learn how to learn. We want our students to know themselves and to know how to work with others. We want our students to leave Live Oak with the doors wide open. Our faculty, staff, board and families work together to create a learning environment that is diverse, challenging, nurturing, engaging and inspiring. We believe that the journey is as important as the destination, and at the same time, we are proud that our graduates choose among public, independent and religious high schools.

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Live Oak School supports the potential and promise of each student. We provide a strong academic foundation, develop personal confidence and the ability to collaborate with others, inspire students to act with compassion and integrity, and nurture a passion for learning to last a lifetime.

This mission is made real in a rigorous academic environment that embraces each student's learning skills and supports age-appropriate, challenging work through differentiated instructional methods. We value all the contributions our students make: in the classroom, on the stage, in the art studio, on the athletic fields, in their work within the school community and beyond.

Live Oak's compelling and rigorous curriculum is designed to prepare students for high school -- and for life. Live Oak believes students enter the classroom with a wealth of unique abilities, experiences and interests.

Differentiated instruction -- the offering of multiple means to achieve and exhibit understanding -- enables teachers to embrace variety as a key characteristic of any group, and to deliver a curriculum that is challenging, relevant and rewarding to every student. Our active and engaging program makes knowledge meaningful and learning

In addition to core subjects, we emphasize development of positive values and life skills. Inspired by educational theory and rooted in practical application, we foster a learning environment that nurtures, encourages and celebrates each student's exploration and growth. Our graduates leave Live Oak as knowledgeable, articulate human beings, eager and ready for the challenges ahead.

* learn through direct experience and hands-on exploration
* work cooperatively with their peers to communicate, negotiate, and problem solve
* take risks in a challenging, supportive environment

* tap into students' natural curiosity to actively engage them in learning
* design a rigorous curriculum relevant to the group and responsive to the individual
* teach at the forefront of learning theory as a result of ongoing professional development and peer exchange

* forges a partnership between school and home
* cultivates open-mindedness, responsibility, kindness, and compassion
* strives to reflect the values it seeks to instill in its children

Elementary School Programs; Lower School Programs; Middle School Programs; Summer Camp Programs. Our program is rigorous, intentional and dynamic. Each elementary class has a full-time credentialed teacher and a full-time assistant. Specialists teach math, science, language and literacy, social studies, personal and social skills, art, music, Spanish, drama and physical education.

Live Oak offers a host of after-school programs and extracurricular activities to students who want to study, participate in specialty classes, play sports or enjoy outdoor games.

Extended care for lower school students is available from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. Participating students may choose from a variety of activities including music, arts/crafts, cooking, outdoor games and study hall.