Private K-8 School in the San Francisco Bay Area

St. Paul's Episcopal School, Alameda County:
St. Paul's Episcopal School is an independent, non-denominational K-8 school in Oakland in Alameda County, approximately 8 miles east of San Francisco. We are proud to serve families from Adams Point, Lakeside, San Pablo Gateway, Old City, Lakesshore and throughout Oakland and the Bay Area. Our founders created a community where students can develop sophisticated critical thinking and generous hearts. Research has confirmed that problem solving skills are greatly enhanced through exposure to a diversity of thought, culture, and experience. The National Association of Independent Schools has honored St. Paul's with a Leading Edge Award for integrating service learning with curriculum.

Education Programs:

- Kindergarten Program
- Lower School Program
- Middle School Program

Curriculum & Educational Approach:
In additional to core subjects such as English, math, social studies and science, we offer our students a wide range of music and art opportunites, as well as a physical education program. The many tangible achievements of our students are built on the intangible ingredients of a St. Paul’s education: the individual relationships with our students that are nurtured, day after day, by teachers, specialists, staff, and parents. What follows is a description of the underlying foundation of how we teach: know the child, understand the brain, collaborate with others, create a healthy classroom, and provide a meaningful assessment. Please feel free to engage our remarkable teachers in conversation about their educational approaches.

St. Paul's teachers use the Responsive Classroom approach to create a safe community where children feel free to explore new ideas and ways of being. Backed by independent evidence of its effectiveness, Responsive Classroom is based on the core belief that all children want to learn. Morning meeting, collective rule-setting, logical consequences, and positive teacher language give students a sense of ownership and pride in their classroom community.

Ongoing student assessment at St. Paul's, both formal and informal, allows teachers to offer accelerated curriculum for students eager to move ahead. The process also ensures that teachers can quickly address individual gaps in organization or understanding.

Music and Arts:
Everyone at St. Paul's learns music. For 21 years, music teacher Mike Margulis has been on a mission to ensure that every student understands complex rhythms.

Seventh graders last year performed on conga drums and shakerees at Herbst Theater as part of a Youth Speaks event. Our sixth grade choir director was nominated for a Grammy Award. A St. Paul's alumna sang at the inauguration of Barack Obama. Come to St. Paul's and experience the beat.

Athletics:
Athletics play a vital role in our school environment. Players should respect all parties (including teammates, opponents, officials, scorekeepers and coaches) at all times. Particular attention should be paid toward honoring referees’ decisions. In every way (voice, action and gesture), players should strive to cooperate with officials. Players should also act as helpful and respectful hosts at home games and considerate guests at away matches.

Examples of respectful behavior off the court include greeting opposing players, cleaning up after themselves, and taking good care of equipment and facilities. Cheering or complimenting good play (even an opponent’s!), giving assistance to a fallen player, and behaving thoughtfully in both victory and defeat are on court examples. The Middle School Sports League was founded to provide students with the opportunity to participate in athletics in a fun, supportive and enriching environment.

Before- and Afterschool Program:
* Before Care begins at 7:30 a.m.
* After School Program ends at 6 p.m.
* Snack served at 3:45 p.m.
* Full-time, part-time, Care Cards, and drop-in payment options
* Quiet Study Hall
* Japanese
* Cooking
* Martial arts class
* Basketball
* Art
* Knitting

A safe and comfortable environment for students to study, play, exercise, and create is offered at the After School Program from dismissal until 6 p.m. Before Care is also offered beginning at 7:30 a.m. Students may work on homework at Quiet Study Hall, where a staff member is available to offer homework assistance, or take a class in Japanese, learn to cook, attend martial arts class, play basketball, create a paper-mache sculpture of a polar bear in the art room, read, play board games, and more.

The program is led by a full-time director and a part-time staff of teachers and professional child-care providers, who supervise all activities. Students choose from a variety of enrichment classes and activities as well as having time for free play. Enrichment classes and activities include arts and crafts, chess club, computers, cooking, instrumental music, study hall, and sports. At 3:45 p.m., the students receive a nutritious snack.

The school offers several contract options for the After School Program: full-time, part-time, care cards, and drop-in. All full-time ASP contracts include Before Care.