Accessibility is at the heart of our educational work.

In everything we do, we strive to find an equitable path forward. As we share in our Core Values - we believe in an affordable education with tuition based on need and an ability to pay. We aim to offer the full Golden Bridges experience at a cost that takes into consideration the financial challenges of living in San Francisco alongside the sustainability and well-being of the school organization and teacher salaries.

Families from all economic backgrounds are welcome at Golden Bridges.

Sustainable Tuition

The Board of Trustees for Golden Bridges School set tuition for the 2022-2023.  At these levels, our budget can provide an equitable amount of Tuition Assistance to nearly 50% of our families (using 20-25% of annual budget).
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2022-2023 Tuition 
Tumbleweed 3-day Preschool: $16,500
Tumbleweed is a half day outdoor program, 8:30-1:00pm, 3 days a week.
Dandelion and Blackberry 5-day Preschool: $27,500
Dandelion and Blackberry preschool classes operate 8:30-1:00pm, 5 days a week.
Kindergarten - 8th Grade: $30,000

​Tuition includes all school supplies, art materials, and field trips.
Children bring their own food and snacks though food preparation and sharing is integrated into all early childhood programs and most Grades classes on farm days.

After School Program

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​Preschool Aftercare
  • M-F, 1:00pm-5:30pm 
​A limited number of spaces are available at this time.

​K-4 Aftercare and Grades 5-8 After School Programs
 Monday - Friday, until 5:30pm.
"We feel that this approach is not just so that our individual children can grow and be successful, but rather that this type of education benefits humanity as a whole. And that's what we want to bring and share within this community of Golden Bridges."
​— Golden Bridges Parent

Tuition Assistance

Goals

  • To offer this education to families from all economic backgrounds.
  • To create an objective, needs-based measure of a family’s ability to pay while continuing to honor individual circumstances.
  • To build a sustainable financial model for Golden Bridges.

Process

To apply for financial aide, each family - returning and new - must complete an application using the online platform FAST.  Each applicant is asked to provide detailed financial information and to supply related tax forms for verification: 2020 form 1040, 2018 1040, and W2.

The application must be completed by January 15, 2022 to be considered.

Part of the FAST application asks the family to make a tuition offering. 
Once all Tuition Assistance applications have been received, the administration will seek to balance the needs of the individual families and the tuition assistance budget.  This will likely require a further conversation, either over the phone or in person, to determine a tuition that is sustainable for everyone. 
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Admission is not contingent on financial need.
Financial information is NOT shared with the Admissions Committee.  
The Admissions Committee (Faculty Members) submits acceptance recommendations to the Administration where tuition assistance is then allocated.

NOTE: Tuition Assistance award is contingent upon the verification of tax information.

Timeline

NEW APPLICANTS

November-January 15, 2022
  • ​Access FAST to complete your tuition assistance application.  The application does not need to be completed in one sitting so get started early.

​January 15, 2022
  • Admission Applications Due
  • FAST Tuition Assistance Application Due 

​​February
  • Interviews

March 8, 2022
  • Decisions mailed
  • Letter sent with tuition recommendation and preliminary contract

March 16, 2022
  • Contracts and/or deposits due for Preschool and 1st year Kindergarten

March 25, 2022
  • Contracts and/or deposits due for 2nd year Kindergarten and Grades

April 15, 2022
  • Tax Documents due to FAST for verification
RE-ENROLLING FAMILIES

November-January 15, 2022
  • ​Access FAST to complete your financial assistance application.  The application does not need to be completed in one sitting so get started early.

​January 15, 2022
  • FAST Tuition Assistance Application Due 

​January -February 2022
  • Tuition conversations and agreements     

​February 6, 2022
  • Re-enrollment contracts mailed/emailed

February 14, 2022
  • Re-enrollment contracts and deposits due

​April 15, 2022
  • Tax Documents due to FAST for verification