When it comes to preschools, Mission Kids is a true rainbow-painted unicorn. The environment is nurturing, peaceful, and committed to letting kids just be kids. Their entire approach to learning is led by students' interests and every personality, interest, and behavior is appreciated and woven into the classroom's unique fabric. Perhaps the best part of Mission Kids is the community. I don't think there is any other school in the city that is as inclusive, diverse, and close as our MK family. Every staff member, administrator, and parent intimately knows each child and greets them with love and curiosity everyday. Furthermore, the parent community is endlessly supportive: helping out with after-school playdates, making meals for families in times of need, and creating genuine adult friendships (not an easy thing to do!). Mission Kids also does an incredible job with parent education, I know I am a better parent today than I was before we joined MK! Joining Mission Kids has been transformational not only for our son, but for our whole family. I wish Yelp had more than five stars because Mission Kids is a perfect TEN! read more

Mission Kids has been an amazing school for our family. As a mom who enrolled two boys, I couldn't be happier with our experience. The school has a warm, friendly atmosphere and a truly wonderful sense of community. The teachers and Directors are extremely supportive, welcoming, and genuinely invested in every child and family. My boys have thrived at Mission Kids, and the family involvement aspect makes the experience extra special. Being part of a co-op creates meaningful relationships between families and the school, fostering a strong sense of connection, collaboration, and care. The school truly goes above and beyond in creating a nurturing, inclusive environment for everyone involved. We are so grateful to be part of such a special community and highly recommend Mission Kids to other families. read more

Three reasons our family loves Mission Kids: 1) Philosophy - More than just teaching the ABCs, Mission Kids fosters a real love for learning, self-confidence, and respect for others. I see this each time I interact with kids from the school. 2) Quality - The level of attention, care and frankly, love that each of the administrators and teachers puts into the school and our child's individual education is amazing. That, and the facilities themselves are wonderful. 3) Community - This is twofold: Mission Kids actively gets the kids out in the neighborhood, both to play and to get to know the people they pass each day (just like the Sesame Street song). Also, by being part of a cooperative, we get to really know the other kids and families. Yes, it takes effort, but so far, the benefits are priceless. read more

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Our family have been there for 5 years between two of our children. Mission Kids is not only an amazing preschool, but the community that comes along with the coop is more than I could have ever asked for. Both my kids know teachers, staff, directors and parents by first name and talk about them with so much love. They see school friends in the neighborhood regularly which always leads to more fun together. While Mission Kids focuses on social emotional learning for the kids, they are also very intentional about parent education. You don't just gain understanding about your own child, but you also gain empathy and tools to use for all the kids. Spending time in the classroom has honestly made me a better parent. read more

A great fit for folks who want to be involved in their children's early education! This is our son's second year at Mission Kids. He moved from Puddle Jumpers Workshop around the corner so we had prior experience with the co op model and were able to transition into the new environment fairly seamlessly. That said I don't feel like Mission Kids is particularly overwhelming in time commitment. Families participate in a family job (some are more work than others, ours is currently purchasing supplies for the school). Other time commitments involve participating in fundraisers and monthly meetings, also there is a commitment in shift work for child care but you can buy out of shifts if you can't meet the time commitment. I feel like we lucked out on the admissions and got a spot for the new classroom they opened last year so I can't speak to any particular difficulty in admissions. The classroom physical environments are just fantastic. Both rooms (101 and 104) have co op designed and built reading lofts with play spaces underneath. Each classroom has physical activity (bouncy) areas and small kitchens which are used to prepare health conscious snacks and warm lunches. Two age appropriate sized potties are provided in each classroom. 104 has a small enclosed outside play space which houses chickens and doves for the school and both rooms have access to a larger common outdoor space. The classes take frequent, well chaperoned outings to various parks and educational sites of interest around the city. Most importantly we feel like our son really loves the school. He feels safe there, knows everyone (kids AND parents) and looks forward to going there and participating in whatever activity they have planned for the day. Highly recommended. read more

Mission Kids is an amazing preschool. Their focus on the social emotional learning of their students is exactly what I wanted for my child (and is hugely beneficial according to early childhood educators). I love that they have a play-based curriculum, and that kids can go outside any time they choose. The teachers are top-notch, the directors are outstanding and the community is warm and welcoming. Becoming a family at Mission Kids changed our lives in a hugely positive way. If you are looking for a preschool and are able to participate in a co-op, run! don't walk to Mission Kids. read more

Both our daughters attended Mission Kids. Our overall experience was wonderful. The space is warm and welcoming, and continues to be upgraded, with new features and special areas being added, both indoor and out. To me, the two greatest things about MK are the exceptional teachers, and the overall community of families, committed to a great school. The more you bring to MK, the richer and more rewarding your experience will be. If you are looking for a co-op, and want to be involved in your child's education and community, MK is a great choice. read more

My son just started at Mission Kids this Fall, but we always knew we wanted him to go here because our neighbors' daughter is a recent MK graduate and had such a wonderful experience. My son has some special medical needs, so at first we were a bit nervous about having him in a co-op setting, but it has worked out extremely well; the professional teachers have gone above and beyond to learn about his needs, and all the parent-teachers have been wonderfully supportive and helpful as well. My son loves going to school here and has learned so much in just a couple of months! Each day, the teachers send home a detailed note about my son's activities and interactions at school, which I really appreciate, and also my son loves it when I read him his old notes on days when he's not at school. I also love that it is a co-op, and there is such a great sense of community within the school. I've gotten to meet so many interesting parents! There is also great engagement with the Mission neighborhood. I also wanted to clarify something that was written below...there is no fee to attend the MK Fall Open Houses for families considering submitting an application. In the spring, there are Group Tours for families who have submitted an application and paid the $35 application fee. read more

I would highly recommend my daughter's preschool, Mission Kids Coop. Being a coop, the parents have the opportunity to work there, and the result is that it is more affordable than many other schools. It has been a wonderful personal learning experience for me to learn more about child development through classroom time, and to get to know my daughter's new little friends, and their parents. As parents we also have opportunity to teach our own skills, or propose new activities to bring into the classroom. It's really exciting to be able to participate in our children's education at this level. My daughter adjusted so well, and so quickly, to the school. I believe this is due to the wonderful, gentle care of the teachers, and the nurturing, stimulating classroom environment. I feel so lucky to have found this place! I know for a fact that they will have a number of openings next fall, as a bunch of kids will be going to kindergarten next year. For more about the admissions process, you can email admissions@missionkidsco-op.org. read more

My daughter started at Mission Kids Co-Op earlier this year. She loves it and we do too. The staff is excellent - very knowledgeable about early childhood development and the best ways to interact with kids and get them inspired and learning. The community of parents at Mission Kids Co-Op is another great part of the school. We all learn a lot from each other. Finally, the preschool is plugged in with the Mission community - they take daily excursions to playgrounds in the area so that kids can learn from the vibrant environment around them. I highly recommend Mission Kids Co-Op for any parent looking for a preschool. read more

We attend the Mission Kids Co-op summer program. My son is learning a lot about how to interact socially and the teachers are very helpful with this. The kids are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Some of my favorite things that they do are * personalized notes home each day * children get assigned "jobs" daily - they love it * lots of pets, I heard there will be chickens come fall * large variety of outings read more

We LOVE Mission Kids! It's been an AMAZING learning environment and community for our kids and our family. We appreciate the genuine diversity which is so rare to find in SF. The play-based, whole-child approach will prepare your child for elementary school/ the real world better than any other program -- kindergarten teachers want your kids to be able to socialize and understand how to be a part of a group more than anything and your child will get that ALL at MK. The field trips are wonderful; the classrooms and outdoor space is full of fun toys and materials to explore; your kids go to the park everyday!; the staff are dedicated, bilingual, children whisperers; the directors are nurturing, knowledgeable professionals; and they're expanding! Being part of a co-op is like being part of a wonderfully, supportive extended family. It has made every day so full of happiness for my children and our family! read more

We just love this pre school! The first day of school, our daughter was not speaking a word of english! All the teachers, staff members, parent teachers were so helpfull and involve to make her life easier! Now after 7 months of school, I can say that she is "almost" fluent. She was going to school in our country, and she was crying every morning! At Mission Kids, it's more like "Bye Mama!!! Ok love you too!! Bye!!"; She loves her school! We couldn't find a better pre school for her and we feel so lucky to be part of this amazing community. Don't look further, this is the place every parents would like to see their kid. read more

I've had two children attend Mission Kids and have been very happy with the program. We buy out our volunteer shifts but the directors and other parents help us feel involved with lots of updates about the going-ons and even daily notes home specific to what our child did that day. It is such a great program and our kindergartener still asks to go back he loves it so much. If there has ever been a small conflict (as will happen with lots of people involved) it has always been resolved in a satisfactory way. Two thumbs way up. read more

An amazing pre school with wonderful directors, teachers, and parents.

Getting your kid into pre-school in San Francisco these days is much more difficult than getting into college when I was a youth. We shopped around (a lot) and discovered a number of schools - many of which were great - but all too expensive, too far away, too few hours, or some other deal-breaking issue. Mission Kids fit all our criteria but it was all full up. When announced they had opened up a new classroom and were accepting new students, we pounced. And we're glad we did. This school has provided us with a whole new community of friends and support system. Being a co-op, everyone participates and relies on the participation of others. This builds bonds of trust & friendship that well repay any amount of effort. Also, participating in the school takes the guesswork out of what your child's daily routine is like. The teachers are fabulous - kind, imaginative, generous, attentive, etc. The school overflows with books, toys, scooters, bikes, play structures, and every learning amenity the mind can conjure. Additionally, there are frequent field trips to pumpkin patches, bowling alleys, artists' studios, and more. Best of all, my daughter loves going there. read more

Our daughter goes here and she loves it. The staff are hard-working, talented and loving, the community of parents is engaged, and the kids are fantastic. We're glad to be a part! read more

Both of our boys attend Mission Kids. We thank our lucky stars every day for this amazing school and community. The education is top notch, creative, multi-faceted, physical, playful and adventurous. The Directors are brilliant and kind and loving and consummately available to all of us. The daily walks to local parks and frequent field trips are just incredible and keep our energetic boys engaged and excited. The community is diverse and warm and so supportive. The parent education we participate in has kept me sane and made me laugh at myself and feel like I'm part of something so big. The parents and teachers have become part of our extended family and we'd trust any one in this community to care for and adore our kids. We cannot recommend this school highly enough. read more

My 2.5 year old was welcomed into a classroom with a bilingual teacher who immerses the children with reading and song in Spanish! We love that our family is welcomed with primarily Spanish spoken in our home. The school is wonderful for families who want to feel empowered raising kids especially in a busy city like San Francisco! read more

We love MK! It's an incredibly sweet, child-centered place with wonderful teachers and parents who support each other and really care about being part of their kids' education and lives. The curriculum is play-based, with lots of free play for the kids -- but the teachers also make all kinds of great activities available to the kids. My daughter's always coming home having found a salamander, or built a sculpture, or tended a garden, or played in sprinklers. MK's a parent co-op, which means the parents are responsible for some of the work, but the sense of community that comes along with this is wonderful. The school has been a real blessing in our lives. read more

Mission Kids is a great co-op pre-school. Our family feels very fortunate to be involved and to have our daugther have such great friends and relationships with the kids and educators. The opportunity to teach at the school (all families must take a shift) gives me a whole new way to experience my child and her friends, as well as to *learn* hands-on as a parent by watching the teachers and other parents, e.g. new tips and tricks for effectively dealing with conflict, or just new activities to try on our own. read more

my son attends m.k. and loves it. i feel like the teachers and parent teachers care and participate in raising good human beings.

Our daughter attends Mission Kids, and we couldn't be happier. In addition to providing kids wonderful opportunities for play and discovery, the school brings parents closer together. We've learned so much that's helped our parenting both from the teachers, as well as other parents. Being part of a co-op is a lot of work, but the work is rewarding! read more

Mission Kids is great! My son loves it and the staff is really supportive. I wish that he could stay there through 12th grade.

This review is specifically in regards to their admission process. we first visited when my daughter was 9 months old. Since this was supposed to be such a community based program and since it is literally across the street from my house we thought this would be a good fit. However we were told we were way to early. later when we applied we ended up in an open house with probably 25 other families. In order to attend the open houses you must register and pay the aapplication fee, only after paying it do you find out they are accepting applications for like 30 kids for each opening they have. We did not get offered a spot and near as I can tell it looks like they may have made upwards of $20,000.00 in application fees for kids they never intended to admit. This seems pretty sketchy to me, we found another program we like much better. They also charged an application fee, but after they accepted us. If I had it to do over again I would not have applied to Mission Kids, seems like a scam to generate supplimental income. read more