Kindergarten Moves Up
In 1966, The San Francisco School was established as a Montessori preschool. Over the years, it has adapted to changing societal demands, expanding in grades and educational philosophies to become the unique independent school it is today.
As part of the School’s exploration of how it uses time, both the annual calendar and the daily schedule, the Preschool and Kindergarten underwent an in-depth assessment and evaluation of its program during the 2019-20 school year. After the year-long process, in consultation with teachers, early education experts, and parents/guardians, to better meet the educational needs of our youngest students, the Preschool Reimagine Committee recommended to the SFS Board of Trustees that the North and South Classes of the Preschool/Kindergarten program be reorganized. The Board voted in December 2019 to accept the recommendation and update the delivery of its early educational program beginning with the 2020-21 school year, making the structural change to two preschool classrooms (3 and 4-year-olds) and one separate Kindergarten.
During the pandemic, the School adopted an interim structure with Kindergarten moving to the elementary division and the Preschool 3 and Preschool 4 classes remaining in same-aged cohorts. When pandemic conditions allow, the pre-COVID plan will be completed, with two mixed-aged classes (with 3 and 4-year olds) within the Preschool and a single Kindergarten class. During the summer of 2021, what have traditionally been the Preschool/K classrooms will be renovated to facilitate the program changes.
After much self-assessment, research, and feedback, SFS is confident that these changes will better serve our students. We have valued the past structure on which we continue to build and treasure the lasting memories of our North and South Classes – of Crickets and Grasshoppers, Foxes and Rabbits, Dolphins and Bald Eagles.
Posted July 15, 2021
