Alice Fong Yu Alternative School

We teach through Mandarin and English at Chinese American International School in San Francisco. Our early childhood division runs from preschool, ages 2–5, through kindergarten. Preschool uses full Mandarin immersion, while kindergarten and lower-school grades 1–5 follow a 50/50 immersion model. In middle-school grades 6–8, students work through a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum and apply ideas to their community and their own lives. Our school also offers athletics, morning and afterschool care, and additional classes. All divisions share our 19th Avenue campus.

Mandarin immersion and inquiry shape daily learning at Presidio Knolls School. Our San Francisco preschool uses a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, with play and projects at the center of the day. In elementary grades K–4, students work through interdisciplinary Units of Exploration that connect subjects and hands-on experiences. Our middle school serves grades 5–8. Students take on increasingly challenging projects, travel experiences and opportunities to lead and contribute. Creative activities, athletics and family participation are also part of our school community.

We offer full-day, year-round early childhood learning in San Francisco for children ages 18 months–5 years. Families can choose our Spanish immersion or English program. Both use playful, thematic STEAM activities covering science, technology, engineering, arts and math through exploration rather than formal academics. Our preschool includes outdoor garden beds where children plant and care for herbs, vegetables and flowers. We also have a transitional kindergarten/kindergarten class for children who need another year before moving on. Our preschool teacher-to-child ratio is 1:6–8; the TK ratio is 1:10.