Thank you for including Golden Bridges in your school search!
Your enrollment journey to Golden Bridges School
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Each Fall, Golden Bridges welcomes 10-12 new Preschoolers and 14-16 new Kindergartners, as well as about five new middle schoolers, and a handful of students in other grades. These students and their families join our community with a diverse array of experiences, perspectives, and gifts. Each student and family brings a commitment to the educational journey and the sustainable wellbeing of our broader community. Our families and educators strive to engage in and harmonize the physical, emotional, and intellectual life of each child.
We bring a commitment to the development of the whole human being - head, heart and hands - through:
Our teachers equip our students with the tools to become free-thinking, moral human beings. If you are seeking intentional community working to build a thriving school while transforming ourselves though thoughtful conversations and experiences, our school is for you. We hope to meet you soon! |
"The education that my child receives at Golden Bridges is beyond my wildest dreams, especially in a city like San Francisco. She is farming, hiking, singing, knitting, whittling, cooking, playing and learning how to be a compassionate, curious, creative human being. Being part of the GBS community is incredibly enriching and fulfilling for our entire family. Together we are creating something really special and unique." — GBS Parent
The current 2021-2022 school year has limited openings.
If you are interested in applying for the 2021-2022 school year, please contact us.
Process Overview
- Submit Inquiry
- Attend Information Session
- Application and Fee
- Student Evaluation Form / Transcript
- Meet Teachers (Early Childhood)
- Student Visits (Grades Students)
- Enrollment Decisions
Program Offerings
Submit an inquiry HERE to learn more now.
Applications are due January 15, 2022.
Early Childhood
We offer two years of a mixed-age Preschool and separately, two years of a mixed-age Kindergarten.
Preschool: 2.9 - 4.6 years old
5-Day Program: Dandelion + Blackberry
3-Day Forest Program: Tumbleweed
Children must be 2 years 9 months by September 1st to join Dandelion Preschool as a first year student.
Kindergarten: 4.6 - 6.9 years old
Children must be 4 years and 6 months by September 1st to join Kindergarten as a first year student.
Grades Program
Early Grades 1-4 / Upper Grades 5-8
Children must be 6 years old by June 1st to begin First Grade.
First Grade: 6.9 - 7 years old
Second Grade: 7 - 8 years old
Third Grade: 8 - 9 years old
Fourth Grade: 9 - 10 years old
Fifth Grade: 10 - 11 years old
Sixth Grade: 11 - 12 years old
Seventh Grade: 12 - 13 years old
Eighth Grade: 13 - 14 years old
We strictly adhere to these age ranges for developmental and pedagogical reasons.
Applications are due January 15, 2022.
Early Childhood
We offer two years of a mixed-age Preschool and separately, two years of a mixed-age Kindergarten.
Preschool: 2.9 - 4.6 years old
5-Day Program: Dandelion + Blackberry
3-Day Forest Program: Tumbleweed
Children must be 2 years 9 months by September 1st to join Dandelion Preschool as a first year student.
Kindergarten: 4.6 - 6.9 years old
Children must be 4 years and 6 months by September 1st to join Kindergarten as a first year student.
Grades Program
Early Grades 1-4 / Upper Grades 5-8
Children must be 6 years old by June 1st to begin First Grade.
First Grade: 6.9 - 7 years old
Second Grade: 7 - 8 years old
Third Grade: 8 - 9 years old
Fourth Grade: 9 - 10 years old
Fifth Grade: 10 - 11 years old
Sixth Grade: 11 - 12 years old
Seventh Grade: 12 - 13 years old
Eighth Grade: 13 - 14 years old
We strictly adhere to these age ranges for developmental and pedagogical reasons.
Steps to Enroll
Step 1 - Get to Know Us & Learn More
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Submit an inquiry HERE.
This is how we start the process for each applicant. Welcome! An email reply will follow, along with an invitation to an information session. Explore our Website As you will see, there are many reasons that this is an exciting time to be a part of Golden Bridges School. We’re eager to introduce you to our dynamic teachers, programs, and facilities on our website and in person. Please take full advantage of the extensive information about our community on this site. After we receive your inquiry, we will warmly welcome you to visit, experience the space, and get a feel for the beauty and delight our teachers bring to every classroom. |
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Step 2 - Join an Information Session
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Information Sessions (September - December)
Join us to learn more about the Golden Bridges approach to education. In-person and virtual information sessions are available. We encourage those who are able to join us on campus to experience our unique approach. After submitting an inquiry (HERE) you will receive an email with more information and an invitation to RSVP for an information session. |
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Step 3 - Apply by January 15, 2022
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We hope you will share our delight in our compelling educational mission and passionate commitment to the development of the whole person as we equip our students with the tools to become free-thinking, moral human beings.
Applications are made available after submitting an inquiry and attending an information session. Applications, fees, and student evaluation forms are due January 15. Application fee reductions are available if assistance is needed. Applications for tuition assistance are due January 15. |
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After Your Application - Meet the Teachers
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In January and February we invite you to meet our teachers to complete the application process.
Preschool Applicants: You and your child will be invited to a small group playdate with two Early Childhood teachers. You will tour the Preschool space and connect with the teachers at that time. Kindergarten Applicants: You and your child will be invited to a small group playdate with two Early Childhood teachers. You will tour the Kindergarten space (and/or the McLaren Park area we use) and connect with the teachers at that time. Grade School Applicants: Each applicant will be invited to visit their grade class for a 2-3 day visit. The student will participate in all class activities during that time. After the visit, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and teacher will meet to review the visit and answer any questions. |
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Enrollment Decisions |
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Preschool and Kindergarten
March 9: Preschool and Kindergarten decisions sent via email March 16: Enrollment responses due (Kinder has flexibility to wait until 3/25) 1st - 8th Grade March 18: Grades decisions sent via email March 25: Enrollment responses due We collaborate with other independent schools around enrollment. The Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area (ISSFBA Schools) email notification letters on Thursday, March 18 at noon. Enrollment agreements and deposits are due by Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 am. The Bay Area Directors of Admissions (BADA) member schools agree to a set of guidelines during decision week to both recognize the time, effort, and challenges families face while making their decision, and also to put families and their decision-making processes above all else. We encourage families to reach out if they have questions during decision week, and once you have made your final decision, we thank you for your transparency and for contacting the schools to which you were accepted to let them know of your decision to attend a different school. This allows all schools to efficiently provide opportunities to families in a waiting pool. |
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Thank you for your interest!
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If you would like any further information, don't hesitate to contact us!
We look forward to getting to know your family throughout the admissions process. We also typically host Parent/Guardian Conversations as an optional component of our process. Several currently enrolled parents/guardians host an informal conversation to offer unique perspectives of the school. They represent various programs as well as their experience entering the school at various stages. We will let you know when they are scheduled. Wishing you all the best as you embark on a new educational journey, Erica & Jessie Admissions Team |
Admissions Team
Jessie Elliot (she/her)Administrative Director
Co-Founder |
Erica Aren (she/her)Senior Administrator
Enrollment & Community Engagement |
Golden Bridges School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, and sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.