Private Preschool / School in San Francisco

Live Oak School, San Francisco:
ive Oak School is an independent, co-educational day school for students in kindergarten through to 8th grade located in Potrero Hill on the east side of 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.

Education Programs:
- Elementary School Programs
- Lower School Programs
- Middle School Programs

School life at Live Oak is a time of broadening horizons. Live Oak expands to two classes per grade as we welcome new students into the Live Oak community. Small class sizes ensure focused, personalized instruction. Students rotate among subject-based classrooms, focusing on a core curriculum supported by special programs and resources. The middle school program is designed not only to prepare students well for the rigor of high school, but also to instill values and self-knowledge that will serve each individual student well in life.

With the freedom and independence of the learning environment comes dramatic growth. Students can stretch out in full-scale dramatic productions, compete in four different sports in the athletics program, lose themselves in the library, keep track of their homework assignments, or dive deep into technology via integrated podcasting, video production, music composition and digital image processing projects.

Math:
Students learn to approach mathematical problems with confidence, curiosity, and the ability to apply appropriate problem-solving strategies. Working individually and in small groups, students build skills and understanding in all mathematical strands through exploration of real-world scenarios, discussion, daily routines, games, manipulatives and year-long projects.

Science:
Students develop the skills they need to better understand the universe. Students explore physical, life and earth sciences, and acquire scientific tools through use of research materials, experiential activities, discussion, cooperative learning and field trips. In Middle School, students participate in the Science Fair, where they present the results of an in-depth scientific inquiry of their choosing.

Language + Literacy:
Students build skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and communication in our literature-based language arts program. Students read for information and write to express understanding in all grade levels. Students acquire skills and strategies for listening and speaking through active participation in small group explorations, class discussions, and presentations.

Social Studies:
Student study and understand the relationships that affect and define people and places over time. Working with primary documents, simulative experience and concept-driven investigations, students build a critical understanding of the connections between history, geography, economics, culture, government and technology that define a society.

Personal + Social Skills:
Effective communication, compassion and respect are core values emphasized as part of the curriculum throughout all grades. Students learn and are expected to uphold five behavioral expectations: be helpful, not harmful; be safe; respect yourself and others; take care of the school; participate and do your best.

Visual Arts:
Students learn how to use art to express and respond to their experiences, and how to understand and appreciate art throughout the ages. Students explore a variety of mediums, and view and discuss artwork from a wide range of viewpoints and cultures.

Music + Movement:
Students learn to express themselves through music and movement, and to build skills and techniques for reading and playing music. Musical explorations include the use of percussion and other Orff instruments, choral singing and dance.

Physical Education:
Students develop fine and gross motor skills, gain an understanding of personal health and safety and acquire lifetime habits for fitness. From ball skills to rock climbing to yoga, students learn to move with balance, coordination and agility. Middle School students may participate in After School Athletics, which includes basketball, track and field, volleyball and futsal.

Spanish:
Beginning in grade 5, students take Spanish classes designed to help them to appreciate the Spanish language and speaking cultures, understand the structure of the spoken and written language and communicate in Spanish both verbally and in writing. Advanced Spanish classes are available for students in grades 6 through 8.

Drama:
Middle school students gain an appreciation for the dramatic arts by reading plays, exploring drama theory, attending performances and learning dramatic techniques. Students are encouraged, coached, and provided opportunities to perform in a variety of venues throughout the year.

Summer Camp:
Classes led by skilled instructors in arts, academics, sports, and project-based learning immerse students in a world of summer learning and summer fun. Half-day sessions, all-day sessions, and pre- and post-session extended care offer maximum flexibility for families.

Assessment:
Assessment at Live Oak helps students, parents and the school evaluate student growth and performance in relation to curricular and individual goals. Tools used to assess student understanding include student observations, interviews, portfolio collections, writing samples, projects, class discussions, tests and student self-assessments. Incremental assessments are used to create trimester summary reports that describe the student's growth and performance in each area of the curriculum. In seventh and eighth grades, these reports also include letter grades.

Additionally:  Extended care programs, after-school programs and extra-curricular activities.