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In 1966, a spirited group of preschool
teachers and preschool parents conceived of a new school.  They sought
a community where parents and teachers could share in school governance,
and where preschool children could thrive in a program guided by the
principles of Maria Montessori, the Italian physician and educator who
believed in every child's ability to learn. Five parents and four
teachers signed the original Articles of Incorporation in March of 1966.
The San Francisco Montessori School opened the following September.
Tucked away in a church basement in the quiet Portola District, a
working class San Francisco neighborhood, The School had just seven
preschool students on opening day.  The
financial capital to stock the
school with equipment and supplies came from a $100 per student
"enrollment fee." The song, "'Tis a Gift to be Simple, 'Tis a Gift to
be Free," that SFS students still sing today, certainly fit the school
culture and finances of the time.
The successful new school grew quickly in popularity and population.
In 1969, The School purchased the present property at 300 Gaven Street. 
Inspired by parent interest as much as preconceived design, the School
added a first grade, and then grew organically in the 1970's up through
the fifth grade, and to an enrollment of 145 students. The elementary
curriculum consciously developed away from the traditional Montessori
method to a progressive approach, incorporating Montessori ideals of
self-reliance, responsibility, and learning through experience, but
also embracing the best of current teaching practices. 
In the 1980's The School added an innovative Middle School Program. The School changed its name to The San Francisco School, grew to an enrollment of 225, established an endowment, acquired additional land adjacent to the school, and constructed new classrooms. The 1990's were years of consolidation, fund raising and more construction. The School joined the California Association of Independent Schools, constructed a signature Middle School building on Gaven Street, launched an innovative professional development program, and became known for its enthusiastic and well-prepared graduates.
The first decade of the 21st has already seen the Middle School expand to two classes per grade level, total enrollment grow to 275, the endowment surpass the million dollar mark, and the School help launch a new teacher training program, the Bay Area Teacher Training Program. The new millennium also brought renewed commitment and new curriculum to inspire the humanitarian spirit, to help every student develop the awareness, the skills, and the courage to take action in the interest of equity, justice, multiculturalism, sustainability and peace.
| The San Francisco School
cultivates and celebrates the intellectual, imaginative, and
humanitarian promise of each student, in a community that practices
mutual respect, embraces diversity, and inspires a passion for learning. |
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