Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Early Childhood Education in San Francisco
Founded in 1974 by a dedicated group of parents and educator Mary Nordland Bodo, Pacific Primary has cultivated a nurturing environment where play, creativity, and meaningful learning form the foundation of early childhood education. Our staff comprises highly skilled professionals committed to fostering safe, inclusive classrooms that celebrate diversity in all its forms. Through a blend of hands-on experiences, music, movement, and expressive arts, we empower children aged 2.5 to 6 to develop a lifelong love of learning.Parent involvement remains central to our community, with families contributing to fundraising, facility maintenance, and classroom activities. Operating year-round in San Francisco's Western Addition, we serve Bay Area families with flexible scheduling and a curriculum that honors each child's unique abilities while preparing them for future academic and social success.
Services
Early Childhood Education
Summer Program
Tuition Assistance
School Tours
Field Trips
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of experience in play-based early childhood education since 1974
- Our staff includes dedicated specialists in music, movement, and expressive arts
- We maintain a 100% commitment to diversity across family structures and backgrounds
- Our program operates year-round with flexible 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM daily scheduling
- We provide financial accessibility through tuition assistance and ELFA funding programs
Services
Early Childhood Education
Our play-based curriculum nurtures children aged 2.5-6 through hands-on learning experiences. Certified teachers create individualized lesson plans that integrate music, movement, and expressive arts while developing social-emotional skills. The program emphasizes diversity awareness and prepares children for future academic success through emergent, child-centered learning approaches.
Summer Program
This extended care program offers structured activities and field trips throughout the Bay Area during July and August. Certified staff lead educational excursions using chartered transportation while maintaining small group ratios. The curriculum maintains our core values of creativity and social development through summer-specific learning opportunities and outdoor exploration.
Tuition Assistance
Need-based financial support helps families access our programs through confidential assessments of household income. Applications consider tax documentation and pay stubs to determine eligibility. We also participate in San Francisco's Early Learning For All initiative, providing additional funding options for qualifying families to ensure socioeconomic diversity in our classrooms.
School Tours
Scheduled group visits allow prospective families to experience our learning environment firsthand. Tours include classroom observations, staff introductions, and parent testimonials about our educational philosophy. Available December-February, these sessions explain our admissions process and demonstrate how our curriculum supports children's developmental needs through practical, interest-led activities.
Field Trips
Weekly off-campus learning experiences connect classroom concepts to real-world applications. From October-June, classes explore San Francisco's cultural and natural resources using public transportation. Parent volunteers assist with supervision while children develop community awareness. Summer field trips expand to Bay Area destinations with chartered transportation and specialized educational programming.
People
Mary Nordland Bodo
Founder
Pioneering educator who established Pacific Primary in 1974. Developed the school's foundational philosophy emphasizing play-based learning and community involvement. Instrumental in creating the cooperative model that continues to engage parents in school operations and classroom activities.
Tia Cerone
Enrollment Director
Manages admissions and family outreach with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education administration. Oversees application processing, tour coordination, and financial aid program implementation while maintaining community partnerships that support the school's diversity mission.
Questions
What are the application deadlines?
Applications for fall enrollment are due November 1 prior to the enrollment year.
Is toilet training required?
Children must be toilet independent by September enrollment with no pull-ups allowed.
How does tuition assistance work?
Financial aid is available based on demonstrated need with applications due in January.
What payment options exist?
Tuition can be paid annually, semi-annually, or through 12 monthly installments.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes, our summer camp includes Bay Area field trips and extended care options.
How are admissions decisions made?
Decisions consider classroom balance factors including age, gender, and family diversity.
