Private School in San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco International School:
At San Francisco International School, located in the Richmond District of San Francisco, we believe that childhood is a time to be treasured, and we are committed to providing an engaging, innovative and rigorous social, emotional and academic program for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5 students. We recognize and embrace each child's unique learning profile and provide numerous opportunities for children's creative, musical and other intelligences to shine. Students are engaged in their education, feel successful in the classroom and see each day as an opportunity to discover and learn. San Francisco International School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender and disability.

At San Francisco International School, we treasure childhood, teaching children in ways that develop their strengths and intelligences. We know that children must be happy and feel safe in order to learn, and we are committed to creating an engaging, nurturing environment where children love to come to school each day.

The philosophy is focused on progressive principles with an integrated curriculum that recognizes the Multiple Intelligences, ensuring that every child will flourish. Using a variety of educational methods tailored to how children learn best, we connect with our students, build trusting relationships and make learning relevant, memorable and fun. Integrating curriculum and focusing on student strengths ensures that every child will flourish.

- Junior Kindergarten program
- Kindergarten program
- Elementary School program
- Lower School program

* Primary Years Program for Students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5. Our curriculum is inspired by the International Baccalaureate (IB-PYP) program and we use the California State Standards as a guideline.

* Core Subjects include Math, Science, Language Arts, Global Education, Art, Music, Technology and P.E.

As part of our committment to raising internationally-minded students, San Francisco International School:

* Provides an international perspective in our course content.
* Recognizes that the world is increasingly interdependent, and teaching skills to navigate this new landscape.
* Promotes international and intercultural understanding.
* Provides activities which bring students into contact with other cultures, including through the use of technology.
* Celebrates both diversity and similiarity.
* Creates a context for world peace by provision of opportunities for many cultures to live together in mutual understanding and respect.

As we all know, the world is becoming increasingly interdependent. We believe that it is our responsibility to impart on children the ability to be global citizens, people who understand, appreciate and can communicate easily with the world around them. At San Francisco International School, we offer numerous opportunities for students to recognize their unique and connected place in the world.

The International School Association (ISA) has established the following criteria for "internationally-minded" schools: "The school should provide an education directed to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and should promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among people of all nations."

As a school, we strive to be a microcosm of the larger society, reflecting the diversity in the San Francisco community. In addition to actively seeking families of various ethnic, religious, cultural, and sexual orientations, we stress anti-bias and culturally diverse curriculum in our daily program.

We honor the uniqueness of each individual and embrace diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong, inclusive community and to prepare students for lives in a multicultural society.

As a school that gradutes internationally-minded students, diversity alone is not enough. While the work of diversity and community have always been a part of the mission of the School, we seek to build on this commitment, and by so doing, create a truly inclusive institution — one where students and adults are welcomed and supported, and where their faces, voices, and experiences are reflected and valued. We believe that the work of inclusion is a responsibility held by all and done for all, person to person.

Service learning is way to teach and learn that combines community service and academic learning. Service learning focuses on critical thinking, reflective thinking, civic responsibility, commitment to the community, personal growth, and an understanding of larger social thinking.

San Francisco International School students participate in regular service learning opportunities. When participating in a native plant restoration project, the students learn about the plants, their history, why they need our help, etc. This is all in addition to actually helping to restore the plants.

When raising funds for UNICEF, the students learn about where the funds go, why the cost of materials is less expensive in the affected countries (hence why ever penny counts) and participate in writing letters and/or drawing pictures to partner schools abroad.

San Francisco is full of amazing cultural and educational field trip locations. From the SFMOMA to touring the murals in the Mission District, our students have the opportunity to participate in monthly field trips. We often invite parents to join us on these great outings. Specific field trip locations and dates will be provided to each family at Back To School Night.