Terra
San
Francisco
Discover Terra San Francisco: Terra Marin's sister school is now open in the Richmond District of SF. We are currently accepting rolling applications for Spring 2024 Mandarin or Spanish Immersion Preschool AND fall 2024 applications for Pre-K - 8th grade.
WHO WE ARE
The Terra Schools, a progressive program that combines paths to fluency in Spanish, Mandarin and English, a fully integrated social-emotional curriculum, and experiential outdoor learning are excited to announce their expansion to a new location in San Francisco.
Classes for Mandarin Immersion Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten begin in the fall of 2023.
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Terra San Francisco will feature a blend of program offerings unique to private schools in San Francisco, including:
Collegiate-track academics
Our classrooms feature quality teachers, small student-teacher ratios (5:1 in Pre-K through TK; then 8:1 in K-8), and a heavy emphasis on project-based and student-centered learning. Our students devise projects based on their curiosities and lead class discussions that facilitate application of learning to their own lives.
Language immersion then infusion
We offer early immersion in Mandarin or Spanish, followed by language infusion in later years. Our students graduate bilingual or even trilingual.
Nature-based education
Our pioneering Earth Education program gives students the opportunity to learn from the world’s greatest teacher: nature. During weekly outdoor excursions, they explore their environment with a highly trained Earth Ed specialist, developing leadership and social-emotional skills through lesson plans that emphasize unstructured discovery, versatility and good stewardship.
Our mission​
Spark wonder and curiosity in every child
For our students:
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We believe that all children have gifts and it is our mission to help them discover these gifts.
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We believe it is in wonder, inquiry and discovery that the magic happens.
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We believe the learning process is more important than the end result.
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We believe that when children are heard and valued they become leaders and self-advocates.
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We believe that children have a right to feel safe and to be accepted for who they are without judgment.
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We believe that emotional and social IQ is just as important to success as academic achievement.
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We believe that questions are more important than answers.
What
we
believe
For our community:
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We believe a community is a place of emotional safety.
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We believe a strong school community is a place where everyone belongs and feels seen for who they are.
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We believe with an emotionally safe and strong community, anything can be achieved.
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We believe in partnering with families to raise children well.
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We believe that investing in teachers will create a rich learning environment.
Where we're located
Why Terra San Francisco
Research shows that early language immersion, nature-based education, and integrated social emotional learning are the best ways to help children grow into their full potential. Dig deeper into the research here
Early language immersion works
Research shows that learning a second or third language before ages 6-7 results in higher likelihood of native proficiency in a second language by adulthood, compared to starting at ages 7-12. And it takes 2-7 years to become fully fluent in a second language, through a language immersion program regardless of a child’s prior language exposure.
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Nature-based education helps students reach their full potential
Studies have proven that it helps children have lower stress, better cognitive functioning, and improved social skills.
Social emotional learning is foundational for success
Science has proven that having a social emotional learning curriculum starting from a young age leads to improved emotional intelligence, increased positive attitudes toward self & others, and greater success later in life.
What people are saying
“I have two daughters who have been fortunate to progress through the entire Terra Mandarin PK and TK curriculum. I couldn't dream up a better foundation for their academic, social and emotional lives. They have grown so much through immersion in Mandarin language and culture, as well as nature immersion. The teachers are highly educated, and thoroughly trained and supported. They are also some of the kindest and most giving people I have met. The depth and richness of the program is far beyond anything I have encountered elsewhere.” ~Mom of recent Terra Mandarin Preschool & TK graduates
“Together, we have created The Terra Schools, and together we will continue to build a school where our individual dreams and goals can come to life.” ~Shauna Sullivan, Assistant Head of School