Chinese American International School

Alice Fong Yu Alternative School is the nation's first Chinese immersion public school, serving kindergarten through 8th grade in San Francisco's Inner Sunset. It opened in 1995 and is named for Alice Fong Yu, San Francisco's first Chinese American teacher. Students learn in a Chinese immersion program. The school has been named a California Distinguished School, a Gold Ribbon School, and a National Blue Ribbon School.

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.