Children's Day School (Top-Ranked �� School for 2026)

333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Children's Day School (CDS) is a co-educational preschool to eighth grade independent private school serving over 465 students across two campuses located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District.

At CDS, what you learn and who you become are equally important.

Students engage meaningfully in their community, learning how to investigate with curiosity, solve problems creatively, and navigate conflict with compassion.

CDS is a welcoming community in the big city, a farm and garden among urban streets, and a school that advocates for responsibility to others alongside individual achievement.

Our graduates leave CDS confident, with the humility to listen and the resolve to speak up for what they see as right.

To learn more about CDS, .

Quick Facts (2026)

Top-Ranked CA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 464 students
Yearly Tuition: $49,830
Average class size: 22 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 13 / Jan. 20
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Children's Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Year Founded

1983

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

School Calendar

Last Day of School

Fri. Jun 12, 2026

Campus Size

3 acres

Student Body

Total Students

464 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

49%

State avg.: 51%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

65 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

60%

Average Class Size

22 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 13 / Jan. 20

Yearly Tuition Cost

$49,830

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Siding scale tuition range for 2025-26: $3,500-48,895 Preschool-Grade 4 $3,500-49,830 Grades 5-8

Summer Program Cost Notes

Weekly sessions with price ranging depending on program costs (Preschool-Grade 6)

% on Financial Aid

30%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$32,500

Admissions Director

Kristina Berman

Admissions Associate

Erin McHale

Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered

5 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

Indoor SoccerSoccer

Volleyball

School Notes

School Motto: At Children’s Day School, what you learn and who you become are equally important.
School Mascot: Bulldog

At Children's Day School, what you learnandwho you becomeare equally important. Children's Day School is a Preschool to Grade 8 school and a welcoming community in San Francisco. We have a farm and garden among urban streets. We advocate for responsibility to others as well as individual achievement. We are an independent school with down-to-earth values, always asking how we can do this better. We strive for balance, so students become both academically successful and grounded. Our graduates leave CDS confident, with the humility to listen and the resolve to speak up for what they see as right.
Knowing things is not enough. It's what you do with what you know that makes a difference.
We are committed to preparing our graduates for their futures. In our unpredictable, technology-driven world, students need to learn more than just facts. They need to learn how to investigate with curiosity, navigate conflict with compassion, use data strategically, and engage meaningfully in their communities.The future-focused curriculum at CDS prioritizes the development of these skills in the context of learning meaningful, relevant content.
Prioritizing skill development sets learners up for a lifetime of learning. Our graduates leave us with a toolbox of durable learning skills that can be applied across new contexts in high school and beyond to continue exploring and unlocking new learning.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Children's Day School cost?

Children's Day School's tuition is approximately $49,830 for private students.

Does Children's Day School offer a summer program?

Yes, Children's Day School offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.

What sports does Children's Day School offer?

Children's Day School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Indoor Soccer, Soccer and Volleyball.

What is Children's Day School's ranking?

Children's Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body.

When is the application deadline for Children's Day School?

The application deadline for Children's Day School is Jan. 13 / Jan. 20.

In what neighborhood is Children's Day School located?

Children's Day School is located in the Mission Dolores neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. There are 3 other private schools located in Mission Dolores.

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