Our Story
Our story
Founded in 2008 with the ambitious idea to bring together the child-centered approach of progressive education and the cognitive and cultural benefits of Mandarin immersion.
Our mission and values
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.
善 Kindness 智 Curiosity 勇 Courage
Presidio Knolls School began with a belief that young children learn best through curiosity, inquiry, creativity, and authentic relationships. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach viewed children as capable, resourceful, and full of potential, shaping a school culture grounded in student voice, collaboration, and joyful discovery. Mandarin was more than a language of instruction—it was the language through which students explored, played, created, and learned, becoming bilingual and bicultural through lived experience.
What began in 2008 as a small, Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool with just six students has grown into the nation’s leading progressive Mandarin immersion school.
As the preschool flourished, families wanted to continue this distinctive educational experience beyond the early years. In 2011, the Board of Trustees voted to expand PKS into an elementary school and, ultimately, a full PreK–8 program. That same year, the school moved to its South of Market campus. PKS purchased the property in 2016 and added one grade each year, investing significantly in a purpose-built campus designed to bring the school’s mission to life.
Milestones
The vision
Since 2008, PKS has been at the forefront of redefining what a transformative education can be: preparing students to thrive as multilingual, multiliterate, and globally competent thinkers and doers.
As we approach our twentieth anniversary in 2028, we are at historic enrollment, and demand for our dynamic and rigorous program continues to grow. We have the opportunity to match our world-class academic program with purpose-built facilities designed for deep learning, exploration, and collaboration.
We aim to complete the final phase of our campus expansion plan by adding a new dining commons, a nature lab, and more classroom capacity.
Planning for this project is in the early stages, and we look forward to sharing more soon.
