Question 1

Is SJP faith-based?

Accepted Answer

While we are not faith-based, we value our strong bond with St. James Episcopal Church. As a continuing tradition, we offer a 15-minute weekly chapel service for the school.

Question 2

At what age do you admit children?

Accepted Answer

Our school programs are for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years old.

School Year 2025-2026
Turtle Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2022 and 8/31/2023
Wildcat Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2021 and 8/31/2022
Rabbit/PreK Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2020 and 8/31/2021

School Year 2026-2027
Turtle Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2023 and 8/31/2024
Wildcat Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2022 and 8/31/2023
Rabbit/PreK Program: Birthdates between 9/1/2021 and 8/31/2022

Question 3

Do you offer a full day program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer extended day hours for all our programs. While the program has its own routine (nap/rest, snack, circle, story time, outside play, activity time), children can also work on projects that emerge from their morning activities. We offer various choices to meet the needs of working parents including 2-, 3-, and 5-day a week options with drop-off as early as 8:00am and pickup by 4:30 or 5:30pm.

Question 4

What is your class size and teacher ratio?

Accepted Answer

A low student-to-teacher ratio is one of the pillars of our thoughtful, play-based program.

Turtle Program: 2 teachers for up to 10 children
Wildcat Program: 2 teachers for up to 18 children
Rabbit/PreK Program: 2 teachers for up to 18 children

Question 5

How long has your staff been at the school?

Accepted Answer

Our teachers have extensive teaching backgrounds; each brings a diversity of  experience to the classroom. Some of our teachers have been teaching at SJP for over 10 years (or 22 years, in one case!), while our newer teachers bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of knowledge from other schools and curriculums.

Question 6

Do you offer extracurricular classes?

Accepted Answer

We offer a variety of special classes as part of our regular program offerings; no extra fee is charged for these classes. They include Playball, a movement and play class; Music with Teacher Leo; Spanish with Chelsea and Teacher Diana; and Nature Connections, a 9-session ecological education class based in the Marin Headlands (Pre-K class only). Additionally, SJP parents run our Great Books Project, a literacy program through which our children take home unique books every two weeks. Over the course of three years, our children (and parents) are exposed to approximately 100 exemplary picture books.

Question 7

How long is the school year?

Accepted Answer

We follow an academic year schedule. For 2025-2026, the school year runs from August 25, 2025 to June 12, 2026. We observe all federal holidays and have a 5-day Thanksgiving Break, a 2-week Winter Break, and a 5-day Spring Break. We offer a 6-week Summer Session in June and July.

Question 8

What is the school’s philosophy on diversity?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to encouraging a diverse, caring, and inclusive learning environment. Cultural awareness is at the forefront of the school’s mission. We respect, honor, and celebrate differences of all kinds, and believe our community is enriched by these differences.

Question 9

What is your admission selection process?

Accepted Answer

All interested families who apply by the January 31st deadline will be considered for admission; those who apply after the deadline will be placed in our wait pool. After placing siblings, we select on the basis of the responses to the application questions, as well as age and sex for class dynamics.

We send our acceptance letters on the same date as a number of other SF preschools. For the 2026-2027 school year, we will send acceptance and waitlist letters via email in early March 2026. Families accepted will have one week to respond and secure enrollment with a signed agreement and deposit. After the initial round, we accept families from our waitlist by the same criteria mentioned above.

Question 10

Do you offer tuition assistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SJP offers need-based tuition assistance. Families may apply once offered a place.

Additionally, SJP participates in Early Learning for All, supported by the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood. Interested families can request the relevant paperwork after admission.

Question 11

What role does giving have at SJP?

Accepted Answer

The school thrives on generous support from the family community which enhances the student experience and provides development opportunities for the incredible teachers – above and beyond tuition and fees.  If you'd like to give to SJP, please visit this page.

Question 12

What opportunities are there for SJP families to volunteer at the school?

Accepted Answer

We anticipate that all families will be involved in helping out and building the SJP community in a way that works for them. Involvement can range from classroom visits, to hosting social gatherings, to co-chairing our events. Whatever talents and time you have, we’ll use them wisely.

Question 13

How does SJP help with the kindergarten process?

Accepted Answer

SJP is here to help your family find the best kindergarten for your child. Our Kindergarten Search Team offers an advisory process that begins the year before kindergarten applications are due. We start with a general application orientation meeting and follow up with a series of individual family meetings, as well as parent panels for both independent and public schools. The teachers and our director know the SF grade schools and thus are able to help families decide on the best fit between a child and a prospective school.

Question 14

What schools do SJP graduates attend?

Accepted Answer

Our graduating students go to public, parochial, and independent schools. Recently, some of these have included Alamo, Cathedral School, Claire Lilienthal, Convent, George Peabody, Hamlin, Jefferson, Katherine Delmar Burke, International, Lafayette, Lawton, Marin Country Day, Marin Primary, McCoppin, Notre Dame des Victoires, Nueva, Rosa Parks, St. Brigid, St. Cecilia, St. Stephen’s, St. Vincent de Paul, San Francisco Day, San Francisco Friends, San Francisco Schoolhouse, Sutro, and Town School.

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