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PKS is a progressive, Mandarin immersion school serving preschool through 8th grade.
Our mission is to nurture the young heart and mind in a joyful learning environment, where the convergence of progressive education and Mandarin immersion ignites curiosity, connectedness, and engagement in the world.
Note: Extended care, after-school enrichment, summer camp, and middle school travel and technology incur separate fees.The Middle School Travel & Technology Fee (which covers the full cost of one international trip and all devices and technology for grades 6-8) for the 2023-2024 school year is $4,275.
Summer Program Cost Notes
Summer camp is typically offered by the week, so tuition varies according to family need.
Club or Organization: After School Enrichment Classes, LGBTQ Alliance, Math Club, Middle School Study Hall, Student Council, Tutoring, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs: Art Classes, Drama productions, Music Class, Music Lessons, Piano Lessons, Ukulele lessons, Violin Lessons, Visual Arts
Recreational Athletic Programs: Microsoccer (PS through G1), Middle School Athletic League, Physical Education
School Notes
Presidio Knolls School is a preschool through 8th grade
institution. We are fearless, innovative, and globally
minded; we are proudly progressive; and we offer a full Mandarin
immersion program to a diverse group of students.
Our preschool and elementary school are "full immersion" with
preschool conducted 100% in Mandarin, and K-4 with 80% of
instruction conducted in Mandarin. This ensures our students
become as comfortable in their second language as they are in their
first. When students enter middle school (G5-8), 50% of instruction
is conducted in Mandarin and 50% is conducted in English (including
math) to ensure a more balanced literacy.
In our Reggio Emilia inspired preschool, lessons emerge from
children`s ideas, thoughts, and observations. In this stage,
our main goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning and
exploration.
Our elementary and middle school curriculum is project based
and designed to encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and a
growth mindset. Our integrated curriculum focuses around Units of
Exploration that are broad enough to incorporate multiple
disciplines and provides students with the opportunity to explore
the aspects of greatest interest.
By traditional metrics, our students are extremely high
achieving (two-thirds are in the 90th percentile or higher in MAP
testing in math and English, and 95% of our students are on pace to
reach advanced levels in ACTFL benchmarks of Chinese).
Grades: K-8 | 221 students1 miles 3371 16th St San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 346-9500
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K-8
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School Reviews
5.00 out of 5(5 reviews)
510/4/2024
We have sent our son to PKS for two years now and are excited to enroll our daughter there next year. Given the high cost of admission, I had set a high expectation bar and am pleased that it has been met. Our son was able to fluently talk with his relatives in China this past summer. He has several friends and asks us to set up play dates with them nearly each weekend. The staff and faculty are welcoming and creative a positive learning environment. All in all, a great place to send your kids if Mandarin is a priority for your family and you are looking to join a tight community.
- Posted by Parent - SMG
57/27/2012
Our daughter has just completed her first year at PKS preschool. We are thrilled that the school is adding an elementary program. Although it is child-centric, they really make sure that the kids are learning and not just memorizing. In addition to her everyday routine which include circle time, singing, painting, and projects (all in Mandarin), our daughter also loves the soccer, gymnastic, and kung-fu classes. The facility is sunny, beautiful and clean. We look forward to the next 10 years at PKS.
- Posted by Parent - tgque
57/27/2012
We just love PKS from the people to the facility. The administrators and teachers truly care for the well-being of our child. The school itself is spacious, clean, and beautiful. Most importantly, our daughter loves learning and going to school.
- Posted by Parent - egent
51/19/2012
PKS has a progressive approach to teaching, caring staff, active parents community and a great facility, my daughter loves her school, teachers, and friends.
- Posted by Parent - egent
51/19/2012
My daughter attends the PKS preschool.We are really happy here. PKS is the only Mandarin immersion program with a progressive, child led educational approach in San Francisco. This is exactly what we want for our child, and she is thriving there. Her mandarin is improving in leaps and boungs (it is clear that she "thinks in chinese") and she shows a curiosity and confidence that we relish. We are very happy here and don't want this experience to end at the preschool, so we're thrilled that PKS is extending to elementary.
- Posted by Parent - jerem
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Quick Stats (2024-25)
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
Yearly Tuition: $40,949
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 11
Source: Verified school update
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Did You Know?
The average private school tuition in San Francisco, CA is $24,902 for elementary schools and $36,291 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
Teaching Resources Hub (2022)
From Presidio Knolls School—While teachers have to adapt a new way of instruction, how can we rethink remote teaching? What ...
Program Profiles, K–12 (2021)
Supported by a unique array of community partners, the school delivers extraordinary learning outcomes for all students. Presidio ...
Presidio Knolls School (2019)
(PKS) is an independent pr–-K through 8th grade school in San Francisco (currently serving through 6th grade, adding 7th gra ...
