Odyssey Preschool

Bowditch is a middle school in the SMFC School District, which educates about 10,500 students in San Mateo County. We are a cell phone free learning environment, and every student receives a Yondr pouch on the first day of school. Coursework covers English language arts, math, science, social studies, PE and music, with English Language Development for multilingual learners and a college and career exploration program. Students use ST Math, and after school they can join drama through Bowditch Theater or play sports in the Art David Athletic League, a program funded almost entirely by parent donations through the SMFC Education Foundation. Our counseling team helps students with personal and academic concerns, and a School Safety Advocate leads individual and group counseling, including Girls United groups. Social-emotional lessons use Second Step. Students who qualify for special education have an IEP, and district services include a Resource Specialist Program, special day classes and related services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, adapted PE, deaf and hard of hearing services and educationally related mental health services.

Challenge School has taught Mandarin and English to Bay Area children since 2003, and our Foster City campus on Balclutha Drive is home to our youngest learners. The Deer Class welcomes toddlers from 18 to 30 months, with no potty training required, and the Bear Class serves children from 30 to 42 months. The program runs full day, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Our preschools are NAEYC accredited and follow developmentally appropriate practice. Mornings are Mandarin immersion through poems, songs, games, art and daily conversation, led mostly by native-speaking teachers with early childhood training, using six Chinese textbooks we wrote for 3 to 6 year olds. Afternoons bring English, with Zoo-phonics for early literacy and Kindermusik for music. Toddler classrooms focus on social and emotional skills such as self-care and getting along with peers, and classrooms are set up with block, dramatic play, art, sensory and music centers. Our network also includes preschools in San Mateo, San Carlos and Fremont and Chinese schools for older students. We accept subsidized payments.

Mrs. K's House Preschool is a private in-home preschool dedicated to fostering creativity and growth in young children. With a mission centered around providing a warm, nurturing environment, the school serves children in their formative years, focusing on those who thrive in a play-based learning setting. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support emotional, intellectual, and physical development through engaging activities that promote cooperative play and hands-on learning experiences. This approach allows children to naturally reach their social, emotional, and physical milestones while feeling safe and supported. What sets Mrs. K's House Preschool apart is its low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each child and fostering strong relationships between educators and families. The preschool not only emphasizes individual growth but also creates a community where families can actively participate in their children's educational journeys.