One kid already graduated but still going back for summer camps, and another one going through…read moreschool now. Love this school, if only they would let me enroll myself! Kind and knowledgeable staff, a different environment full of creativity...

Our family has had an incredibly positive experience at KMS. The teachers are truly the heart of…read morethe program -- thoughtful, caring, and deeply invested in each child. Over the past two years, our son has grown and thrived in the Pumpkins (preschool) and Strawberries (early elementary) programs, and KMS has been a safe, nurturing, and formative place for him. The Reggio-based approach, with its emphasis on open-ended learning and play, has allowed our son to explore, ask questions, and build confidence in a way that feels both joyful and meaningful. The field trips are exceptional and thoughtfully tied into what the children are learning, bringing lessons to life in memorable ways. The aftercare program is also outstanding. It's engaging, well-run, and a real extension of the school's values. We are deeply grateful for the community, care, and creativity KMS has provided our son, and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

I have two boys at this school, one since September 2014 and one since February 2019. They love…read moregoing to school and have never mentioned anything negative about it, only positives. In fact, we had our youngest not going one day out of the week that the oldest was going and he cries to "go to school!" That shows me it is a place he enjoys! The teachers and aides are kind, compassionate and very attentive to the children and their needs. Communication with the staff is so important - you want to feel secure leaving your children there, which has not been an issue for us. In regards to previous review: I curiously also asked my almost 5 year old about the "dungeon" and he simply stated it was a "storage." - Also not sure what that is about.... I love that some of the kids will also be moving on to St. Paul's Kindergarten - 8th grade, hopefully establishing long term friendships just like I did when attending St. Paul's. Overall, Key to success? Communication - with your children and teachers to make sure this is a school your children want to go to, and when issues arise (because sometimes it's life!) reach out to the teacher and I'm sure that it will be resolved quickly. We are very pleased with this preschool and would recommend it.

Our son has been at Littlest Angel for 1 year and overall it is great…read more Also want to comment on a previous review referring to a "dungeon", (a) we asked our son (5yrs old) and he had no idea what we were talking about so this is definitely not a commonly used term there (maybe she got this from a movie and that's why she got scared?) and (b) the room in question is a teacher's break room, not a closet. It is used for some storage but also has a rocking chair, carpet, and other amenities that make characterizing it as a closet a stretch. Regarding the dogs, well laws are laws I guess but our son and *all* the other kids love them. They are tiny, well behaved, and super cute! It would be a real shame for the other kids if the dogs had to go just because a parent was angry about discipline and reported the dogs (out of spite? I don't get it).

My son started at the Dahlia School when he was 18 months old and has been in the toddler program…read morewith Ms. Liz for two years. She is a true gem of a human -- balances warmth, consistency, and redirection beautifully to create an environment where my son has grown so much in his independence. Specifically, I've seen huge growth in his emotional regulation skills, responsibility (e.g. he helps me unload the dishes every day), fine motor skills, and ability to focus for longer periods of time. His imagination has grown, his ability to play independently has grown, and he is oriented towards being helpful to younger kids. And he speaks Spanish and was potty trained with no effort on our parts! The other thing I'll mention is that the school has been very receptive to making improvements and discussing potential changes with all parents. It's an inclusive, caring community, and all-in-all Dahlia has been a wonderful experience for us! Based on what I've seen so far, Dahlia is the strongest authentic Montessori program available in SF -- and the most diverse private preschool in the city.

Bottom line: My kids are thrilled to go to Dahlia School every single day--so much so that I…read morepractically have to peel them away at pick-up time because they don't want to leave. Both of my children have attended since the school's inception, and our experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. The teachers here are beyond attentive and caring. From day one, I've witnessed how each child is genuinely seen, heard, and supported. The Montessori-based approach strikes the perfect balance between giving children the freedom to explore and learn independently while maintaining a healthy structure that keeps them engaged and growing. I am particularly impressed by the range of practical life skills my children have gained. Tasks such as loading the dishwasher and folding laundry are no longer unfamiliar to them; in fact, they are eager to help around the house! This truly illustrates how effectively Dahlia School promotes autonomy, builds confidence, and nurtures a genuine love of learning, all while ensuring consistent progress on the recommended curriculum. If you're looking for a nurturing, hands-on environment for your child, I can't recommend Dahlia School highly enough. The entire team is clearly deeply committed to each student's well-being and growth. My family feels incredibly fortunate to be part of this wonderful community!

We joined Mission Montessori in Jan 2021 and have loved our experience with the school! Our son was…read more7 months old when he joined Ms Felicia's infant classroom and he has thrived. All of the teachers (Corryn, Aysha, and Ginny) care for him like he was their own child and they've created such a rich environment for him to learn in. Just a few of the things that I love: 1) the software with daily tracking - I know what our son has been up to during the day, how much he is eating, etc 2) the pictures they share of him at school 3) how the school champions diversity through the curriculum and the overall culture 4) their approach to Covid safety 5) the strength of the parent community As a first time parent, I've learned so much from the MM community and am so thankful to know that my son is safe and reaching his highest potential!

Mission Montessori recently received a Type A citation, signaling a serious safety risk to the…read morechildren. Since Endeavor took over last year, cost-cutting measures have impacted nearly every aspect of the school, including teacher salaries. In just the past two months, seven staff members have either left or been let go, leaving remaining teachers stretched thin. In my child's class, the teachers are dedicated and skilled, but they appear overworked, and I'm concerned they may not stay through the year. Communication with the principal has been frustrating--often coming across as insincere, confrontational, and even hostile. In one letter to families, she dismissed four recent anonymous complaints as "false accusations," creating an environment that discourages open dialogue and genuine feedback. I'm posting this anonymously because I worry about potential retaliation and feel that concerns can't be voiced openly. I hope Endeavor's leadership will take this public feedback seriously and consider necessary changes, as a poor reputation spreads quickly and can take significant time and resources to repair. While I'm actively looking to transfer my child, finding a new school in San Francisco on short notice is difficult, and I know the transition would be stressful for my child and costly for my family. Posting this review on Nov 7, 2024, for context.

Three of my kids attended My Little Learning Tree, and every one of them absolutely loved their…read moretime there and all of the wonderful teachers! MLLT does an incredible job preparing children for elementary school. In fact, even my kids' kindergarten teacher commented on how well-prepared students from MLLT are when they enter kindergarten. I couldn't be happier knowing my kids learned and grew in such a safe, nurturing, and caring environment. The teachers truly care about the children and create a place where they feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn. If you're looking for a preschool, My Little Learning Tree should definitely be at the top of your list. I highly recommend it!

My Little Learning Tree is an absolute gem -- and we are so grateful our family found it…read more Both of my daughters attended My Little Learning Tree, and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the best decisions we made for them. From the moment you walk through the door, you feel the warmth and intentionality that defines everything this school does. What sets My Little Learning Tree apart is how genuinely they ignite a love of learning in every child. They don't just teach -- they inspire curiosity. Both of my girls left this school not just ready for elementary school, but excited for it. The confidence, the wonder, the hunger to keep exploring -- that comes directly from the foundation this incredible team helped build. The classroom activities are creative and thoughtful, always designed with purpose. The field trips are highlights that my daughters still talk about. And the parent events made us feel like true partners in our children's education, not just bystanders. This school understands that raising curious, capable kids is a community effort -- and they live that every single day. The teachers and staff are warm, passionate, and deeply invested in every child as an individual. You can feel the love they have for this work, and kids feel it too. If you are looking for a preschool in San Francisco that will lay an extraordinary foundation for your child -- academically, socially, and emotionally -- look no further. My Little Learning Tree is the real deal. Our family is forever grateful.

We have had an amazing experience at Adda Clevenger. Our daughter is entering her third year here…read more We were coming from the public school system, which had served our daughter exceptionally well in elementary school. However, when she started middle school she was missing several teachers due to staffing issues and we made the decision to explore private options. Adda Clevenger was able to offer our daughter a spot in their 6th grade class several weeks in to the school year and has served our family exceptionally well ever since. Our daughter has very full days filled with instruction in the core curriculum which includes math, science and English as well as dance, theater and visual arts. The classroom size is small and allows her to really bond with her classmates in an environment that fosters creativity and freedom of expression. The kids have very full days but all to the good-- our daughter always come home tired but also excited about what's been happening in school. The community has been welcoming and offers many events over the course of the year in the form of dance, choir and theater performances that exhibit the progress the kids are making and provides us the opportunity to connect with other parents. This is a much more engaging and enriching middle school experience than I ever had as a child. The school is vibrant. Music binds the entire operation together. Truly a beautiful, well-oiled education institution. Our family is very grateful to have found Adda Clevenger.

This review is regarding the leadership and management of Adda Clevenger. Despite a wonderful…read morecommunity of teachers, students, and parents, issues with the school's administration--specifically Heike Harrison and Ben Harrison--have compromised the school's transparency and credibility. Between the 25-26 to 26-27 school years, an estimated 20% of the student body withdrew due to administrative decisions described below. For instance, the 25-26 1st-grade class dropped from 15 students to 7, forcing the school to combine the 26-27 2nd and 3rd grades. There is likely to be a larger drop at the end of this school year. Key issues include: 1. Unannounced Relocation: On July 3, 2026, leadership abruptly announced plans to relocate the campus from Noe Valley to the Presidio--a 35-to-40-minute commute each way--just seven weeks before the start of the school year. They initially implied the landlord (the SF Archdiocese) declined to renew the lease, but it was later revealed that leadership chose not to renew it. While the decision was reversed a week later following parent pushback, the lack of transparency led us to withdraw our child at a significant financial loss. 2. Withheld Information Regarding Facility Repairs: The relocation stem from an ongoing dispute over building repair costs. Leadership sat on a building survey for 8 YEARS and spent 18 months negotiating with the landlord without informing current or prospective parents during re-enrollment of the building concerns or lease negoiations. While the school currently claims it will remain in Noe Valley, the lack of open communication and accountability makes it difficult to trust future commitments from leadership. I recommend carefully considering these factors when evaluating the school.

This is my daughter's 4th year at The San Francisco School (we started in preschool 3), and we have…read morebeen very happy here so far! The teachers and staff are warm and nurturing, and the community is very down to earth and kind. We especially love the strong SEL program and excellent music program. We also very much appreciate the school's Extended Day (aftercare and summer camp offerings) as a family with two parents who work full-time. SFS rocks!

We have two kids at The San Francisco School (SFS) and couldn't be happier. Incredible teachers, a…read morewelcoming community, and a well run organization that includes great extended day and summer offerings. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great place for their preschooler to middle schooler!

We love C5! Our son started 4 years ago when he was 20 months old and will be starting kindergarten…read morein the fall. At one point, we considered a smaller program because our son has some social issues. However, the bond he developed with his teachers and their care and affection toward him made us stay. So glad we did! C5 allows teachers to advance with students, which creates a lot of continuity for the children (and parents). C5 uses the Reggio Emilia approach, which is very child-led. This past year, my son's class has undertaken several group projects, such as: building a go-cart, researching and building catapults, testing and measuring spiciness of foods, and making bows and arrows. C5 teachers incorporate math and literacy into their interactions and projects with the children, but do not explicitly teach math and literacy. I preferred this approach, but it may not be a good fit for parents who want a more academically-based program. The same goes for discipline. C5's approach is very focused on conflict resolution, which I have loved, despite appearing chaotic at times. Our son has had some behavioral rough patches, but we never felt ostracized by the teachers or the parent community. C5 approached his behaviors in a firm but caring way. Similarly, when my son or others are on the receiving end of teasing or aggression, C5 has focused on helping the children boost their language and boundaries with their peers. Again, this might rub some parents the wrong way if they want stricter discipline or interventions. Overall, C5 is a very supportive community. There are several community events throughout the year, and one big fundraising drive where they ask parents to buy/sell raffle tickets. However, when I've been busy with work, I have not felt pressure from teachers or administration. C5 is also part of the SF Preschool for All subsidy for children who turn 4 by December of that preschool year. PFA covers about 25% of tuition, which is very helpful. Overall, we have had an amazing experience at C5 and will miss them very much!

My kid attended both locations of this company (the Golden Gate Avenue one and the one on Polk St…read more I feel very passionate about how bad this establishment is so I posted my review on both of their business pages they had here on yelp. They requested to have it removed on the grounds that I must have been reporting falsely. I am not. I have invoices showing we attended both locations, and the video for the location of this business shows about 50%+ footage of the location on Polk street where they keep the under 18 months olds. From loosing my child in the grounds (!), to promoting gender stereotypes, to letting them roll in dirty water and stay in soaking wet clothes for hours, sugar laden snacks, unfocused curriculum under the guise of a methodology of teaching they have no grasp on... There is a reason there are always openings in this preschool when there are waiting lists in others. If you are lucky you may stumble on the rare gem of a teacher that actually cares and tries and your kid may have a chance. If you are not, you may end up like a 2 yo kid that I saw once laying on the ground staring blankly on the wall for 15 minutes flat with the teachers walking past ignoring him. I took my kid out the next week.