Spire School
Spire School, named by two children who were among the first to join our program, is our San Francisco forest preschool. Spire School is an all weather school, with drop off and pick up locations outdoors. Enrollment in Spire School is determined by age.
TK Group (4-5 years old) meets 5 days per week, Monday-Friday 8:45am-1:45pm in the Presidio, locations may vary. Aftercare available.*
Older Group (3-4 years old) meets 5 days per week, Monday-Friday from 9:00am-1:00pm in the Presidio. Aftercare available.*
Younger Group (2-3 years old) meets 4 days per week, Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-12:00pm in the Presidio. Aftercare available.*
*Aftercare option is available for all children until 3:00pm.
For the current 2023-24 school year, we have space available
in our Younger Group* and TK Group**. Please email us to learn more about our application process.
*Younger Group age eligibility is 2.2-3.2 years old as of 9/1/23
**TK Group age eligibility is 4.5 years old as of 9/1/23
For the 2024-25 school year, please click here to learn about
our application process.
Program Description
Ilana and Megan, co-founders of Parks Plus Creation, led Spire School’s first class in 2015. Spire School provides families with a consistent schedule as their primary preschool community. It is our goal to reach like minded families who believe in the importance of spending time outside, connecting to nature and building positive relationships, and who believe that children can gain valuable life skills through inquiry-based learning.
By providing open-ended materials and time for child-directed play, children have the opportunity to learn through all of their senses. We plan the day with a few predictable transitions; by remaining flexible we allow the children to lead and learn at their own pace.
Following the interests of the children, our emergent curriculum will change and grow as they do. The environment will play a key role in our learning. Children will observe daily changes, learn to investigate, ask questions, use field guides and reference books, and begin a foundation of understanding the local ecology. We will direct most of our focus on the important relationships rather than the scientific names of our surroundings. Children will have the opportunity to document their learning through daily reflections and individual journaling.
Spire School teachers support the children to develop conflict resolution and thoughtful problem solving skills. They help to foster kindness and respect towards one another and towards nature. With this strong emphasis on social and emotional growth, Spire School educators strive to create a respectful community where we all have an important role.
Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to sign up for 1 or 2 days per month to participate in ‘Field Days’, where parents are invited to get their hands dirty and join in the day’s discoveries. This collaboration gives parents the opportunity to connect to the natural classroom and support their child and their peers in collaborative learning. As important members of our community, parents are encouraged to share their unique interests with the group.
Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled 1-2 times per school year. These meetings will be a way for families to work together with the teachers to discuss and best support their child’s development as well as their short and long terms goals. Weekly journals, in the form of private blog posts, will be available for families to gain more insight on the days' events, and a way for teachers to document the group's interests and project planning.
Though everyday is different at Spire School, we follow a daily schedule to allow consistency and predictability. Nature surprises us everyday with exciting discoveries. If children are engaged in play or investigations we allow the time for them to be fully immersed in their selected activity.