Children's Day School

333 Dolores Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

60 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 22, 2024

We are so fortunate to have been a part of the Children's Day School community for the last two years. We had the most amazing experience in preschool with such loving, experienced and dedicated teachers who guided my introverted daughter through learning to be in a school environment. The preschool teachers are receptive to student led inquiry which engages the children on a daily basis. My older daughter loved her Kindergarten year and the teachers are particularly great at teaching the students to read using phonics based methods. The community of families is down to earth and our school values are present every day in every initiative we undertake. We are unique among the independent schools in that we have a cutting edge learner competency framework which guides all aspects our students' learning.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2023

Our older child joined CDS in the Lower School last year (in a non-typical entry-point grade). From assigning us a buddy family ahead of the school year to proactively partnering with us to assure a smooth transition, we have been impressed by how intentional CDS has been about welcoming us into its community. This school really walks the talk around equity, community partnership, and inclusivity. We have been impressed with the school leadership and the teachers. Like many schools post-Covid, it has experienced some teacher transition, including mid-year. This isn’t ideal, of course, but the school has navigated it as best it can. We have been so pleased with our family’s experience that we decided to enroll our younger child in CDS this coming year as well.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2023

We decided to enroll our children at Children's Day School because we wanted a school that would celebrate our children's individuality and allow them to express their unique personalities as they grew up. We have found the teachers at this school to be incredibly passionate about their work, each bringing their own diverse backgrounds and accomplishments to the classroom. Their dedication has been a great inspiration to both my kids and me.Initially, I had concerns about whether we could afford to attend this school, but I was pleasantly surprised by the warm and inclusive atmosphere intentionally created by the administration and the school community. They understood our financial situation and supported us in a way that made us feel truly welcomed and valued. This acceptance made all the difference, and I'm glad we didn't let the price discourage us from applying.I am thrilled to see that my children are developing critical thinking skills and are well-prepared for high school. The school's approach doesn't focus solely on test scores but instead fosters a genuine passion for learning, which I believe will lead them to success in life. I am also impressed to find that students from this school go on to attend a wide range of top-tier high schools.All in all, we made the right choice by choosing Children's Day School, and I couldn't be happier with the positive impact it has had on our family.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2023

We've had an amazing experience at CDS for the past 8 years. We've been incredibly supported by the administration and teachers. The school has instilled a real love of learning and curiosity in both of our kids. The community is also really incredible and we've felt so lucky and supported during our time at the school. The focus in the early grades is on teaching good learning habits, independent and collaborative learning. The academics ramp up appropriately as the kids get older. It's a truly special school and program!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2021

The experience has been amazing for our family. Our son has been enrolled since Pre-K and is thriving in the lower school. The classroom experience sparks our son's curiosity, and he's made some wonderful connections with teachers, and has close friends. We've met some amazing families we've befriended outside the context of 'school', and have had the opportunity to volunteer in ways that work with our schedule and support the kids. The teachers have been remarkable, and the communication responsive. During the pandemic, the protocols the school had in place made us feel safe. The CDS community is an integral part of our family. Glad we made this choice. I highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2019

Wonderful!! An amazing school. Couldn’t choose a better one!!!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2017

This was a lovely place for preschool and the early elementary school years, the farm, they play structure and enclosed yard. The teachers were lovely and nurturing. Unfortunately, as my daughter progressed she seemed to loose her spark and curiousity. The classes are on the larger side with one head teacher and one student teacher. The fundraising was a real ball breaker. The community was wonderful. Our kids have since moved to a school that fosters curiosity, creativity and taking responsibility for their own learning, the spark is back. I do miss the CDS community though.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2017

As a former parent (pre-through 8) and former trustee, I believe CDS failed to care for and educate my son adequately. The teachers care a lot but teach in a one size fits all way that focuses on standardized testing. CDS is not a safe place if your child has learning differences. The Head of School does not treat parents with care or respect and even threatened to interfere in my son's high school placement if I criticized her or CDS. CDS was once a community oriented school with progressive values. Given the recent announcement of the Head's imminent retirement one can hope for better leadership.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2016

Great curriculum and super awesome school in the heart of the city with their farm and garden project. Our kids thrive there and enjoy learning every day.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2016

My daughter is finishing her first year at the school as a Kindergartener. She has had a wonderful year with two very smart, caring, experienced professional teachers. They have done an incredible job of fostering the social and emotional development of the students - all teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom, which is very well-respected approach to creating a caring classroom and school community. I was very impressed with the scope and sequence of the curriculum this year. Students studied the lifecycle of pumpkins (fall), trout (winter/spring), and now recycling (spring), and have studied trees throughout the year. Each topic is covered in every subject - math, science, language arts (reading & writing) - and related activities in art, music and Farm and Garden, followed by a culminating field trip! They have made a series of books throughout Kindergarten, with each student contributing his/her ideas, drawings and written words, and you can see the incredible growth over the course of the year. The parent community is diverse, warm and welcoming...Most are working parents and there is robust after care, vacation camps and summer camps offered on-site with fun and engaging staff. It has a very low-key, down-to-earth feel compared to most private schools in SF. The only place where is might not measure up to other schools is facilities. There is a very limited library by the lower school building, there is no common room space in the lower school as all events are held outside on the yard, which works well for the most part. There is no cafeteria and kids eat outside, but that seems to work well. Kids don't care at all! If you visit other schools you will see a wide range of facilities. I think their priorities are on getting and keeping good teachers rather than fancy facilities, which is how it should be.The teachers are committed and passionate about their craft. We get weekly update by email on what they are learning, and suggested activities to do at home to support their learning. Most importantly, my daughter is excited to go to school and to learn. What a gift! Come visit and see for yourself. This is just my experience.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2016

Reader, stop and reflect. How many families in the world have access to the kind of schooling reviewed here? For those of us who do, what should our stance be when reflecting on our experience? I am parent. I am also an educator. I have worked in public and private schools and have also attended them. I feel so grateful that my son has access to this school; a school that while not perfect succeeds in providing an environment that is safe, respectful, and intellectually engaging for all of those involved. YES! My son has to make the walk to the Boys and Girls Club for P.E. Along the way, he gets to interact with the real world and understand through his lived experience that nothing is perfect and even he must be impacted by the limited space and access to resources that accompany life in a city. Children’s Day School is a gem of perfect imperfection. A model of what it means to adopt a growth mindset and develop humans. Talk with parents and families and teachers. I think most of us would agree. We are grateful and very lucky to be here! And by the way, plans for middle school use of Dolores Park are underway. Meanwhile, my son who is in the lower school enjoys dining al fresco each day watching the hawks above and sharing good times with his friends. Don’t choose a school for the hype. Choose it because it feels right to you!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2016

I've had two boys in CDS since they were in preschool. Both are now in middle school and have been recently diagnosed with ADHD. Each of my sons is being incredibly well cared for and educated at this school. The quality of the teaching is outstanding and the strong community among the kids is palpable. I feel lucky to have been part of this school for so long and to be able to watch my sons thrive at every turn. In particular, the school's support through challenges has been key in developing a strong sense of resilience in both of my sons. When they graduate, I know they will be prepared to excel in high school, academically, socially and personally.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2016

CDS is the model of lip service...you will hear the words said many times but the substance is lacking. They will proudly show off their great new building - but skip the part that the kids have nowhere to eat and no play space...yes, that is right, your kids have no where to play except when they walk to another gym they use for PE. Don't believe the hype.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2015

I have two things I'd like to share about my experience at CDS so far. The first is that CDS does an outstanding job preparing students for high school. Kids graduate from 8th grade with a strong sense of who they are and how they learn. The homework they receive is always purposefully planned, and the amount is definitely less than they receive in high school (my oldest son is currently a freshman). My son definitely benefited from the gradual development of his stamina for homework, and honestly, I find a club soccer commitment to be significantly more imposing on family time than the homework commitment from CDS.The second thing I'd like to share about CDS is that the administrators and teachers are some of the most caring human beings you would ever want to have involved in your child's life. Whether your child needs thoughtful guidance, earnest encouragement, or a little bit of both, the adults at this school always approach a child with such strong empathy that the natural result is every child puts their best foot forward. That's always what I'm going to be looking for from my child, and that's what I get from CDS.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2015

I am a parent of a First Grader. I work in education not at CDS but I work closely with a number of Indepenent schools across Bay Area. I am fortunate that I get to see how different schools work. Most are great, but when it came time to choose a school for my child, I was very clear that CDS would be the place.Now, after a few years I have a happy child who absolutely loves going to school. Every day I see that spark and light in her eyes as she talks to me about how she absolutely loves her teachers. I have been asked to invite all her teachers over for dinner soon!She has an open door to go in and say hello to her Lower School head and does so most days.Why am I not talking about curriculum and other buzz words? Because, numbers tell that story. CDS has a tremendous program but what I really care about is that my child is happy, excited and motivated to go to school. Loves learning. Loves her teachers and others who she interacts with at the school everyday. People at CDS care! Plain and simple. They care for your child and sometimes that means them speaking up and advocating for your child. I hope that parents listen because that sound advise comes from a place that wants to see your child thrive.Go visit the school. Make up your own minds.
Submitted by teacher on October 27, 2015

CDS is a supportive and caring community with an all encompassing curriculum that addresses the social emotional needs of the students while also providing students with a strong academic and constructivist curriculum. I am a teacher at CDS, and I have worked at other schools in the bay area. I have never worked at such a caring community. The administrators, teachers and families truly care about the entire well being of the students and the community members of the school. Teachers have the freedom to explore curriculum while also receiving support from the Literacy Specialist, the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Learning Specialist and the Assistant Head of School. Teachers are also encouraged and supported to get more professional development. Most importantly the students at CDS are happy and engaged in learning and meaningful relationships.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2015

We've been thoroughly impressed with CDS's thoughtful approach in creating an inclusive and diverse community. From sliding scale tuition to parent ed forums to affinity groups, the school brings sincere intention to creating a space where students (and teachers and families, for that matter) can learn from their differences and see diversity as a strength. Part of what makes this work is that the faculty and administration approach these conversations with humility and curiosity, which models the very learning style we are trying to instill in our kids.
Submitted by teacher on October 26, 2015

During my ten years as a teacher, I have had the privilege of teaching at two other wonderful Bay Area independent schools. While acknowledging that all schools have their strengths and challenges, I feel that I have finally found my home at CDS. I am continually inspired by and appreciative of a student body that reflects the diversity of our city; the school's commitment to cultivating passionate citizenry; and the warmth with which I was and continue to be received by faculty, parents, and students. I feel tremendously supported by my teaching team and the school’s administration and am truly excited by what is happening in other grades. The guidance and professional development we receive from our Director of Teaching and Learning and our Elementary Literacy Specialist is a phenomenal resource, which continually supports my growth as an educator. With their help, our teaching team has been able to create a truly integrated, rigorous, and inspiring curriculum that supplies our students with the tools and knowledge necessary to become critical thinkers, involved community members, tolerant and compassionate individuals, and resilient problem solvers. I love teaching at CDS and feel fortunate to be part of this community.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2015

I recently had the opportunity to chaperone the 5/6 grade overnight trip to Westminster Woods. This gave me a chance to witness up-close the care and individual attention that the Middle School faculty gives each CDS student. Once again, I confirmed that my son is in good hands. This is our 6th year at CDS, and each year my wife and I have had some experience (back-to-school night, performance, classroom visit, community celebration, parent-ed event or parent-teacher conference) where we look at each other and both say, "we are at the right place." And, I might add, each year we sign up again because we see the value ($) in this particular independent school's tuition. Project-based learning - check, Arts & PE - check, STEM - check, brilliant teachers - check, social/emotional emphasis - check, clean/safe campuses - check, up-to-date technology - check, responsive administration - check. That's been our experience. Of course, there is no need to take my word or anyone else's. Take one of the volunteer parent led tours and see what you think.
Submitted by teacher on May 12, 2015

The best thing about being at CDS as a teacher is that it is a place where you are allowed and expected to be a human being as well as an educator. We make mistakes. We learn from them. We strive to do our best, and to assume the best in each other. My colleagues inspire and challenge me on a daily basis. My administration has always given me an open ear, even if they don't always agree with me. There is room for growth and new ideas, as well as a commitment to the traditions that have been the foundation of this strong community. The farm and garden are a symbol of the school's commitment to giving students experiences above and beyond their everyday city-kid lives. It also doesn't hurt that our school is in one of the sunniest locations in San Francisco. Of course there are hard days, and sometimes hard months, but on the whole I am proud to be a part of this community, and look forward to waking up and doing it again every day.