We have been with Golden Bridges for four years and our daughter is currently entering second grade. To say we have been delighted with the teachers, curriculum and staff would be an understatement, the preschool in his Waldorf, certified and almost all teachers have received Waldorf training, which is exactly what we were looking for. They also presented a strong social justice ethos in which everyone seem to engage with in one way or another. We went to the open houses of all Waldorf and Waldorf inspired schools in San Francisco and Marin and ultimately chose Golden Bridges not only for their amazing program, but also because all of the parents with which we interacted were the kind of people we like to hang out with. We also love the fact that their pricing was lower than many private schools and that they offered tuition assistance as much as they can to those in need. There are also plenty of opportunities to engage in helping other families, as well as the school, and we have found a strong sense of community Helping one another in so many ways. This new school season has been even more exciting as the growth of the school has greatly expanded! The school has an amazing farm in San Francisco, which is my favorite part and I think my child's too. Planting, harvesting, taking care of the chickens; taking care of the Earth is definitely deep rooted in GBS. We have awesome parties and workday spread out throughout the year and we even do extra volunteering because we love it so much. The school is also right next to McLaren Park and one day a week my child gets to hike through the park while stopping and engaging in learning. During the pandemic for two years, it was basically a forest school which was the most incredible thing I could've wished for. The overall nurturing vibe of the school is incredible and community and care is definitely felt at every turn. I could not recommend this school more if I tried and I am truly jealous yet joyful how much my child loves school! read more

We have been at Golden Bridges school for going on 4 years now and we absolutely love it! We knew that we wanted an outdoor and play based education for our kiddos entry into school, and GBS is just that- every week there is one day in McLaren park, one day at the school Farm (Hawk Creek Farm), and then only three days "inside". But even the inside days have plenty of outdoor playtime and the classrooms themselves are like enchanted forests. I also love how easy it is to communicate with the teachers and admin- I feel like we are all a team working in tandem to raise our kiddos in community. We are also so excited and proud to be part of a school that is making anti-bias an active and critical part of the everyday curriculum. If you are looking for a school for your kiddo you should check them out! They host all Sorts of tours and info sessions throughout the year to make it really easy to learn more. read more

We are entering our 2nd year at Golden Bridges and my child is now in Kindergarten. We absolutely adore the teachers and curriculum and all the staff and the families - it's a true community. Something I have been thinking about so much lately is how amazing it is that every day at drop-off there are big smiles all-around on all the grown-up faces (and the kids' faces too), but I think it speaks to the comfort of the community when all the parents are genuinely smiling, engaging, and enjoying being there. I didn't think a place like this existed - it's magical and engaging and I wish this had been my childhood experience, so I'm happy I can give it to my own child. read more

Golden Bridges School is among the things in my family's life I have been most thankful for since our young children began attending in 2020. We were first attracted to the outdoor curriculum: the farm and the time the children spend in the redwoods of McLaren Park. We knew little about Waldorf education at the time, and have been pleased with how GBS has adapted the Waldorf approach in response to the world we live in today. GBS is always trying to find ways to bring more socio-economic and racial diversity into the school, which aligns well with our values. The school and its leadership have humility, an openness to listen and a willingness to evolve - all of this makes families feel tremendously valued. read more

My two children attend Golden Bridges School (4th Grade and Kindergarten), and we consider ourselves amazingly lucky to have found such a wonderful school with such a welcoming and supportive community. It's a new school, so for now it's San Francisco's best-kept secret, with small and intimate classrooms and teachers that truly know and understand your child, tailoring their curriculum to meet your child's individual needs. We sort of stumbled into this school by accident and have never looked back. My 4th grader has a curiosity about the world and love of a learning that I wish I had had at this age. When we have holiday breaks he counts down the days until school starts again, he loves school and his class that much. My Kindergartener is equally well supported by his excellent teachers and by the school's outdoor curriculum, which places an emphasis on movement, farming and sustainability. He has blossomed this past year and comes home every day covered in dirt, with some exciting new story to tell me about the day; a new creature discovered, a new fort built, or a new plant that he is tending. We love Golden Bridges! read more

This school is a magical place for children. My son just started in Kindergarten and while I was very concerned about transitioning to Kindergarten, after just a couple of days, he is ready at the door 20 min early saying he ready to go to school. He is excited everyday to go and the teachers are warm, nurturing and thoughtful. It is a beautiful, magical spot that allows children to thrive and be curious and compassionate. read more

My son loves this school, he's 7 years old, so is in the first grade - we started at this school in April 2017. We toured many many schools in the city (nearly 20) and even attended another school for 8 months. It took us this time to fully realize that what mattered more than anything was our son's wellbeing - now we have found a school that fits with our values and puts the child first, we are here to stay! It is a safe, caring, nurturing environment and supportive community that my whole family are so happy and grateful to be part of. We particularly appreciate the meaningful engagement with nature, and how cleverly the Teachers structure lessons for the children through hands-on nature-based work on the farm - there are animals on the farm, a kitchen, an outdoor classroom, composting, a big shed for tools, herb and vegetable gardens, the beginnings of an orchard and wild-nature play areas. Our son truly loves mental maths, comes home singing songs and reciting poetry - he is able to listen deeply, has a rich imagination, has great respect for nature and really cares about his class mates. When I was correcting him on the method he was using to address a math problem the other day, he turned and looked at me and said "Mom, I know what I am doing, Mr S (his Teacher) believes in me!!" He loves that the Teachers never shout, and he loves that he gets to run around outside, gets to explore nature on hike days, is trusted and supported with a range of technical and creative projects, and he relishes working on the farm. He eagerly anticipates his classes - he is truly excited by his discoveries and enthusiastic for school! This school seriously respects children -the curriculum and environment embrace the whole child, through the hands, head and heart. It doesn't push them or cram them, it nurtures their love and curiosity and through this they are motivated to learn and explore. We have absolutely every confidence in this school as a partner in raising our son - to be a grounded, creative, confident, collaborative, caring, free thinker who knows himself and loves planet earth. read more

I was a public school kid and for a long time I couldn't believe people actually paid for school. It wasn't until we discovered Golden Bridges School (GBS) that I understood why. My son started at GBS 2 years ago in their kindergarten program. Since it was his first experience in any type of school I was drawn to the gentleness of the Waldorf-inspired education as well as the huge outdoor component. I love that my son comes home with rocks in his pockets, dirt on his face and a huge bouquet of sour grass. I love that he comes home singing songs and proud of his hand-knit gnomes. In everything GBS does there is intention and thoughtfulness; from their beautiful, lovely smelling classrooms to how they teach academics to their annual festivals. All the teachers and staff are amazing people and I really appreciate the small class size. Kids spend a significant amount of their time in school and finding one that shares your values is important. We feel so lucky to have found GBS. read more

We went to the first information session for Golden Bridges in 2013 and we were hooked. Our child was only 2.5 at the time and she is now in second grade -- we've had no reason to even consider touring another school. The education she is receiving is nothing short of magical. Her curiosity and love of learning is blossoming as she spends her days surrounded by nature, art, music, friends and teachers who nurture her imagination and unique gifts and care deeply about her and her potential. read more

Golden Bridges School - "Science" class -- baking bread in the outdoor kitchen on the farm. - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our son joined Golden Bridges School in 2017 as a third grader. He was immediately welcomed by the community. Within a month, he was learning how to crochet, making bread on Fridays, harvesting chard for soup, learning how to care for chickens, practicing cursive handwriting and coming home excited to share his day with us. As a fourth grader, he continues to thrive at SF's first urban farm school. With our experience at a previous school for K-2nd grades, we know what a difference a school can make. We count our lucky stars to have found this gem and hope other families will too. Our experience at Golden Bridges School has been transformative for our son and our entire family. All School and Parent Meetings are well attended and rich with information about the children, curriculum and community. The teachers are truly excellent and lead with such integrity. We feel the support of the whole school for our child and us as parents. read more

As an employee of Golden Bridges School, I have been astounded by what this school and community has created in its short 5-year biography. The founders are visionaries who are grounded in meeting the needs of urban children today, staying authentic to their vision but always adapting to what is before them. This is so much more than just a 'job' and it is unlike any other school I have had the pleasure of being a part of. Much of what we do as a community is connecting ourselves to nature and to one another; relationships and self-discovery are at the core of Golden Bridges. The faculty and staff, families and children are what makes this community remarkable. We strive together to challenge the status quo, to create hope, change, transformation, and beauty. There is so much tenacity, passion and love at Golden Bridges... I consider myself profoundly lucky to have as much freedom in teaching as I do. read more

My child is in kindergarten at Golden Bridges and we absolutely love it and feel so lucky to have found this unique school and beautiful community for our family. We started at the preschool, which was nothing short of magical. We knew we were looking for a Waldorf-like environment when we toured preschools, and Dandelion (the preschool part of Golden Bridges) blew us away. Beyond its Waldorf aspects, Golden Bridges is focused on incorporating nature and social justice into all aspects of school life. Our child is at the school farm (a real farm - with bunnies, chickens, and ducks - right in urban San Francisco!) 3 days a week digging, playing, weeding, harvesting, cooking, and so much more, and then hiking in Glen Canyon 1 full day a week. The children's understanding of and appreciation for our earth is growing tremendously, as are their consciences and awareness of how we can build a more just society. Every teacher we've had has been amazing, and we see all the faculty putting their hearts and souls into building this beautiful school every single day. I can't recommend this school highly enough. read more

My two children are thriving at this school, in every way. My daughter is in 4th grade and my son is in 1st grade. Each of them is getting exactly what they need, in terms of creativity, music, outdoor time, and academics. I cannot say enough about the deep connection to nature and the earth that are emerging in my children. I wish I had had this education! You won't find iPads and other electronics here. For us, the lack of media, pop culture, and screen time is a huge benefit. My daughter has so far skipped the pre-pubescent sexualization of girls that I so fear, and is instead reading and whittling and running around and leading us on hikes and becoming a confident, articulate, and curious person, and I think this is largely due to the unique approach of Golden Bridges. My son -- clearly prone to being labeled "overactive" and unable to sit still -- can now calmly knit and is empathic and open-minded. I observe that the willingness of Golden Bridges teachers to bend typical gender roles is allowing my children to navigate their natural tendencies beautifully. The classes blend physical movement with academics, and they teach cursive writing and memorize their times tables while jump-roping...I could go on and on about how this school has so much of what is missing at other schools. The focus on social justice in all areas of the school has been a huge asset to my own advancement and understanding of societal inequities, and the parent community has become an essential part of my life. I have become a better parent, and I am watching my children develop the moral compass that is so necessary in navigating this world. We are lucky to have our children at Golden Bridges, as they are nurtured and loved and held as they grow. Plus, the farm and food program are unique benefits of the school that offer space and fresh air and foster gratitude for all that we have. If you are questioning typical educational models, take a look at Golden Bridges and see if it's a good fit for your family. read more