Presidio Knolls School At a Glance
At PKS, we are nurturing a next generation of global thinkers, leaders and innovators. Our students develop the mindsets and skill sets necessary to thrive both within and beyond the walls of school. Joyful learning, a sense of belonging, and deep intellectual inquiry are at the core of everything we do. Come discover the power and promise of our uniquely engaging bilingual program – welcome to PKS!
Presidio Knolls School (PKS) is an independent school serving preschool through eighth grade, innovating at the intersection of progressive education and Mandarin immersion. We are located in the vibrant SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, California.
Our Mission
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.
Our Habits of Character
We are a community of learners guided by a set of core values known as our Habits of Character. We expect students to act with honesty and integrity in all their actions, and to take responsibility for their work and behavior in ways that reflect these core values.
We are RESPECTFUL - We value each other and ourselves. We show this by treating others with care, tending to our communities, and working to understand and appreciate our differences.
We are RESPONSIBLE - We take ownership for our work, our belongings and our actions, especially when we make a mistake. We are capable of thinking and acting for ourselves, according to what we know to be true and right.
We are RESILIENT - We stick with a challenge and work to find new ways to solve problems; we don’t give up when we meet obstacles. We are willing to get outside our comfort zones.
We are COLLABORATIVE - We find ways to include others in learning and in play; we share. We deepen our learning by working together.
We are GLOBALLY MINDED - We make connections with people and places around our community and our world to understand ourselves and others. We are strengthened by our differences and we celebrate diversity.
We are CARING - We consider others and show kindness, compassion and empathy for those around us in our actions and words. We look outside ourselves to find ways to make the world better through service and actions. We are generous and we give more of ourselves than is expected.
We are REFLECTIVE - We think carefully to consider many different ideas and ways to solve a problem and to make choices and decisions. We are flexible thinkers.
History
2008 Presidio Knolls opens as a two-room Reggio Emilia-inspired Mandarin immersion preschool near the Presidio.
2011 The Board of Trustees votes to open a K-8 program in response to demand, relocating to our current space in SoMa.
2016 We purchase our current property, paving the way for a large-scale renovation as we transform our campus into a 70,000 sq ft San Francisco Institution.
2019 PKS is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
2021 Our first 8th grade class, dubbed the “Pioneer Class,” graduates.
Grades Served
Preschool 2.5-5 years old
Elementary K-4
Middle School 5-8
Enrollment
395+ students
Instruction in Mandarin
Preschool: 100%
Elementary: 80%
Middle school: 50%
Community
PKS embraces diversity and inclusiveness across our entire community. We respect and value backgrounds that vary by gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, family structure and socio-economic status. We aim to build an environment where current and prospective members of our community have access to opportunities to thrive. PKS should be a place where all feel welcomed, valued, included and supported. Our commitment calls for nurturing increased diversity over time. We continually look for opportunities to build cultural understanding within the evolving relationships between students, faculty, staff, and families.
School Hours *
Early drop off is offered from 7:45am
P1 Preschool: 9:00am-3:40pm (Wed. @ 3pm)
P2 Preschool: 9:00am-3:45pm (Wed. @ 3pm)
P3 Preschool: 8:45am-3:45pm (Wed. @ 2:45pm)
K-Grade 5: 8:30am-3:15pm (Wed. @ 2:15pm)
Grades 6-8: 8:40am-3:35pm (Wed. @ 2:30pm)
Extended care: Until 6:00pm (5:30 for P1)
* School hours above are accurate for the 2023-24 school year. Care outside of the school day is not included in tuition and incurs additional fees.
Academic Leadership
Head of School: Chris Livaccari
Head of Preschool (P1-P3): Simona Chongo
Head of Elementary (K-4): Lorraine Chao
Head of Middle School (5-8): Mike Levy
Chinese Curriculum Director: Jiayi Spolarich
Tuition 2023-2024
$38,450
Contact Us
Address: 250 10th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-202-0770
Email: contactus@presidioknolls.org
Presidio Knolls School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for grades Pre-K through 8.