Bertrand D Hsu American & Chinese Bicultural Academy vs San Francisco Pacific Academy

	B Bertrand D Hsu American & Chinese Bicultural Academy San Francisco, United States	S San Francisco Pacific Academy San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $3,250 - 14,000	Fees / year $13,500
Age range	Age range 3 - 14 years	Age range 5 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 19	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Russian
Opened	Opened 2023	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 455 Arkansas St., San Francisco, CA 94107 (Potrero Hill neighborhood). The campus sits on Potrero Hill with views of downtown. It is two blocks from Jackson Park & Playground and Potrero Hill Rec Center and is next door to the public library.	Location 3301 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
Stages	Stages K-8	Stages K-8 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
School type	School type Non-profit private school	School type Private day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Our Daily Rhythms: Younger students have shorter classes and more recess; Older students get longer blocks; Mondays and Tuesdays are core academic days; Wednesdays and Fridays include arts, gardening, SEL (social and emotional learning), and cooking; Thursdays are reserved for field trips. Each semester includes irregular weeks; Summer session is built into the year with a lighter, more activity-based schedule.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details School bus service to start next month (announcement dated November 18, 2025).	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate application fee amount is published. Families complete an inquiry form to receive an application and, upon an offer of admission, submit an enrollment agreement and pay an enrollment deposit (deposit amount not published). Tuition — overview (monthly and annual) - Tuition is published as a sliding scale charged per month. The published monthly range is USD 270 – USD 2,000 per month, shown as the equivalent annual range USD 3,250 – USD 24,000 per year. Tuition includes lunch, snacks, and year‑round (12‑month) programming including summer. Sliding‑scale levels are applied based on family need. - No separate, published tuition broken down by individual grade or year‑group is provided; tuition is presented as the sliding monthly/yearly range rather than a per‑grade schedule. Tuition — term / session detail - The school operates year‑round; tuition is stated per month and per year (12‑month programming). There is no published term‑by‑term invoice schedule on record. After‑school, extended care and enrichment fees - Extended care and after‑school enrichment are available; published monthly pricing ranges from USD 122 – USD 365 per month. - The published after‑school program pricing (open to BHA and non‑BHA students) is: - For BHA students: USD 365 / month (5 days/week) or USD 275 / month (3 days/week). - For non‑BHA students: USD 420 / month (5 days/week) or USD 315 / month (3 days/week). Summer program fees - Summer School + Camp (6 weeks: June 22 – July 31, 2026) published weekly tuition rates: - USD 395 per week for the full 6‑week session. - USD 415 per week for any 4‑week session. - USD 450 per week for week‑by‑week enrollment. - After‑school care during summer (3:30–6:00 pm) is published as USD 100 / week (full 6 weeks), USD 105 / week (any 4 weeks), or USD 115 / week (week‑by‑week). Healthy lunch and snacks are included in the summer program fees. Boarding fees - No boarding program is offered. The school is described as a full‑day, year‑round day school for TK–8 (no boarding fees apply). Other costs and routine extras - Lunches and snacks are included in published tuition. - No published uniform fee or uniform purchase requirements are provided. No specific published charges for textbooks, materials, or regular incidental fees are published. Published optional/additional services include after‑school enrichment and extended care (fees listed above) and summer program fees. - Tuition assistance and scholarships are available; an Academic Merit Scholarship and a Scholarship Fund (supported by donations) are referenced. Refunds and cancellations - No comprehensive general refund policy or standard tuition refund schedule is published. One specific published item: when families opt out of portions of the summer session, the corresponding tuition is treated as a tax‑deductible donation with a receipt provided rather than issued as a refundable credit. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is quoted per month and per year; the school operates year‑round. Enrollment requires signing an enrollment agreement and payment of a deposit at acceptance; no published schedule of term invoicing, deposit amounts, payment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, or refund timelines is provided. Fee payment options - Donation pages show an online credit‑card donation form and an option to donate by check (payable to A2Z Exploration / mail address provided). Those donation payment channels are published for gifts and scholarship contributions. No explicit, published list of accepted payment methods for tuition (for example, credit card, ACH/bank transfer, wire, or check) is provided in the publicly posted fee information. Summary of actionable figures (published amounts) - Tuition (monthly): USD 270 – USD 2,000 per month (annual equivalent USD 3,250 – USD 24,000 per year). - Extended care / after‑school (monthly): USD 122 – USD 365 per month; BHA after‑school: USD 365 / month (5‑day) or USD 275 / month (3‑day); non‑BHA after‑school: USD 420 / month (5‑day) or USD 315 / month (3‑day). - Summer School + Camp (weekly): USD 395 / week (full 6 weeks) • USD 415 / week (any 4 weeks) • USD 450 / week (week‑by‑week). Summer after‑care: USD 100 / week (6 weeks) • USD 105 / week (4 weeks) • USD 115 / week (week‑by‑week). (End of fees overview.)	Fee details Application fees - Admission Test fee (Kindergarten / Grade 1): USD 50.00 — payable with the Admission Test Request Form (mail a check payable to San Francisco Pacific Academy). Tuition fees (annual / per-term where published) - Yearly tuition (highest grade offered, K–8 school): USD 13,500 per year. - No publicly published per-grade or per-term tuition schedule for individual year groups was found in the school's publicly available materials; the single published figure above is the only specific annual tuition amount located. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's publicly posted materials describe fees for specific items (for example, the Admission Test fee) and note that some program elements carry separate charges, but a detailed, published billing schedule (term dates for invoice due dates, tuition deposit amounts, or multi‑installment payment plans) was not located in the publicly available documents. (See Admission Test instructions for payment method of that fee.) Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. San Francisco Pacific Academy operates as a K–8 day school with published daily school hours and day‑school programs. Other costs and recurring fees - After‑school / enrichment classes: optional and charged separately; an additional fee per session per child applies. - Field trips: field trip expenses are not included in tuition and are charged separately when organized. - Tutoring / counselling: paid private tutoring or outside professional support is arranged and paid for by parents when recommended. - Library / lost books: families are required to reimburse the school for lost library books (the handbook references reimbursement rules). - Uniforms: a school uniform is required; uniform items are available for purchase through Schoolbelles Uniform Company (the handbook lists Schoolbelles as the vendor). Expect a separate uniform purchase cost at the vendor. Refund information (as published) - The school handbook indicates specific items (for example, lost library books) have reimbursement or replacement requirements; no comprehensive, publicly posted tuition‑refund policy or detailed refund schedule for tuition/registration/deposit was located in the school's publicly available materials. Fee payment options - Admission Test fee (Kindergarten / Grade 1): the Admission Test Request Form states the USD 50.00 test fee should be mailed with the form and a check payable to San Francisco Pacific Academy. - Payment methods for tuition, registration deposits, recurring tuition plans, credit card acceptance, bank transfer details, or online payment portals were not found in the school's publicly available materials. For items sold through third parties (for example, uniforms via Schoolbelles), payment will follow the vendor's accepted methods. Brief summary of findings and missing published details - Confirmed and cited, specific items: Admission Test fee USD 50.00; a single published annual tuition number of USD 13,500 (reported for the highest grade offered); handbook statements that after‑school programs, field trips, tutoring, and uniforms incur additional charges and that uniforms are purchased via Schoolbelles. - Not publicly published (no clear, accessible statement found): a full, per‑grade tuition schedule; per‑term tuition amounts; an itemized billing schedule (invoice due dates, tuition deposit amounts, and available payment plans for tuition); a published boarding fee schedule (school operates as a day school); and a comprehensive tuition refund policy.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school operates as a day school for TK–8; it runs a full-day program year-round.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement A uniform is required. A T-shirt with the school's logo is part of the required uniform and should be purchased through the school.
Food options	Food options Tuition includes two days of hot Asian lunches, two days of hot Western lunches, and one sandwich buffet day; monthly cooking days are held; snacks are provided. Students bring their own plates and utensils and wash them after meals.	Food options Lunch guidelines are provided in the Parent & Student Handbook; do not send any frozen food for your child's lunch.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a nonprofit private school governed as a 501(c)(3) organization.	Governance and ownership SFPA operates as a private K-8 school. It is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Full-day, year-round private school for grades K-8. The bicultural program blends East and West, combining Chinese discipline and academic rigor with American creativity and independence. Language is one component; students are immersed in Chinese culture, including 5000 years of history, philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy, and are encouraged to continue learning and speaking Chinese outside the classroom. Core subjects include English, math, and Chinese, taught by dedicated subject teachers, with adjunct instructors in science, music, gardening, and art. Class sizes are capped under 20, and the daily schedule mixes quiet study with active time, arts, SEL, and field trips on a Potrero Hill campus.	Curriculum details The school teaches in English and Russian, with half of the classes conducted in English and half in Russian. Literacy in a bilingual environment is central to the school's approach. Student achievement is the chief priority of the school. The school is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). The school offers enrichment classes such as Dance Class, Chess Club, Art Class, and Vocal Class.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Class sizes are small, with no more than 12 students per class.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results SSAT score range: 2054–2388.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school emphasizes social skills development, including self-control, self-esteem, self-respect, self-motivation, conflict resolution, cultural diversity awareness, and acceptance. The mission describes a safe, orderly and nurturing multicultural environment that supports intellectual development and responsibility.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language Literacy in a bilingual environment is emphasized, with written and oral communication in several languages.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is a full-day, year-round private school for TK-8. It is located at 455 Arkansas St., San Francisco, CA 94107, in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. The campus includes a garden where gardening and cooking classes take place. The program features weekly field trips to parks, museums and workplaces and visits to Florence Fang Community Farm every three weeks, with an annual 3-day, 2-nights nature ranch retreat. There are hands-on science, arts, and physical education offerings, including automotive classes and music and visual arts programs, with technology-enabled learning for students.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school prioritizes English, Math, and Chinese, taught with hands-on learning and personalized support. English includes a daily school-wide reading class grouped by proficiency, with guidance from teachers and peers, and an AI-enabled platform to reinforce grammar and reading comprehension. Math is taught in Chinese for younger students, with an AI-based platform for self-paced learning and weekly teacher-led reviews; older students also participate in project-based and concept review math. Chinese is taught daily with Mandarin and Pinyin, and older students learn Chinese culture in English while younger students learn math and science in Chinese. The school organizes students into Lower (TK–2), Middle (3–5), and Upper (6–8) cohorts, and includes activities such as sentence diagramming, cursive handwriting, and a mix of traditional and modern learning approaches, with cell phones prohibited on campus and laptops allowed only during class time.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school runs Summer School + Camp (TK-8) and Academic After School, with a Free Academic Assessment available. Community programs include open campus activities, on-site and neighborhood engagement, and weekly field trips, along with visits to Florence Fang Community Farm every three weeks and an annual retreat to a nature ranch. Visual arts, music (piano, singing, percussion, and Chinese instruments), and physical education are part of enrichment, with gardening and cooking classes teaching collaboration and responsibility. Technology literacy, programming and robotics are introduced to students starting in kindergarten, and after-school programs extend learning beyond the core day.	Extra curricular facilities Dance Class is an after-school program that lets students stay active, build confidence, and express themselves through movement in a fun, high-energy environment. They learn choreography, rhythm, and coordination while enjoying music and teamwork. Chess Club is an after-school class that helps students build critical thinking, focus, and confidence through chess, in a fun, supportive environment, learning strategy, problem-solving, and sportsmanship. Art Class is an after-school class where students explore drawing, painting, and mixed media, building confidence and imagination, guided by a skilled instructor and hands-on projects. Vocal Class helps students develop their singing voice, confidence, and musical expression in a fun, supportive setting, with vocal exercises and group songs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Grand Opening occurred in 2023; the school is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The school operates as a full-day, year-round private school for grades TK–8 in San Francisco at 455 Arkansas St, near Potrero Hill. The founder and Head of School is Ann Hsu. The school blends Chinese and American educational traditions, merging language study with Chinese culture to foster bicultural understanding.	History —
Community	Community The school functions as a community hub with programs open to the general public. Community offerings include Summer School + Camp (TK-8), Academic After School (TK-8), and Free Academic Assessment (3–10). On-campus activities include weekly field trips, arts, gardening, SEL, and cooking, with irregular weeks for retreats, service projects, and travel. The campus sits on Potrero Hill and features a yard that doubles as a gym and garden, with proximity to Jackson Park and the public library.	Community SFPA Community is an expanding network of individuals and families learning and sharing together. SFPA focuses on talent and maintains an inclusive, high-achieving learning environment. The school prioritizes student achievement, and literacy in a bilingual environment prepares students for the twenty-first century. The school is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school operates a full-day, year-round private program for TK–8. It blends East and West by combining Chinese academic rigor with American creativity and independence. Language is just one part of the program; students also study Chinese culture, philosophy, poetry, calligraphy, and more to motivate ongoing Chinese language learning and cultural engagement. Its guiding principles include Academic Rigor, Whole Child Development, Bicultural Worldview, Community Roots, Character Education, and Global Readiness.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school hosts performances such as a Winter Recital that blends traditional Christmas carols with Chinese songs and poems. Chinese culture is integrated through calligraphy, poetry, and other cultural arts as part of the curriculum. The community posts show art and creative projects and student-led performances.	Arts & creative The school has an after-school Dance Class, an Art Class, and a Vocal Class. The Dance Class keeps students active, builds confidence, and allows self-expression through movement in a fun, energetic atmosphere, with instruction in choreography, rhythm, and coordination. The Art Class provides drawing, painting, and mixed-media projects that develop creativity in a relaxed, supportive setting. The Vocal Class helps students develop singing technique, confidence, and musical expression through group singing and vocal exercises.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school provides bilingual education in English and Mandarin and fosters a bicultural worldview. Mandarin language is taught as part of the program, and students are encouraged to continue learning and speaking Chinese. Chinese culture—5000 years of history, philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy—is taught to complement language learning. The school aims to help students experience Chinese culture outside the classroom.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Summer School + Camp is offered for TK–8. Academic After School is offered for TK–8. Free Academic Assessment is offered for grades 3–10. The programs are designed to engage students beyond the regular school day and support learning.	Social & hobbies The Chess Club is an after-school activity that develops critical thinking, concentration, and confidence through chess. Students learn strategy, problem-solving, and sportsmanship in a friendly, supportive environment. The club encourages thoughtful play and positive peer interaction.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Morning exercise is part of the daily routine to build physical and mental strength. Garden and urban farming activities are part of the program. Field trips to landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Salesforce Tower are part of the learning experience. Hands-on activities include an automotive class and gardening to support practical, real-world learning.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches English and Chinese and includes Chinese language instruction within its curriculum. Summer School + Camp includes morning academics in math, English and Chinese.	Language provision English and Russian are taught at the school. In the middle school, English language arts is offered. Russian reading, writing, speaking, math, science, and arts are taught.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school provides English and Chinese language instruction as part of a bicultural program. It is the first and only American & Chinese bicultural K-8 full-day and year-round private academy.	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in English and Russian. Half of the classes are in English, and half are in Russian.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Chinese immersion is integrated into the program, with references to Chinese immersion and Mandarin immersion on the site. The school promotes immersion as a key aspect of its bicultural approach.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. INQUIRE & LEARN: Complete an Inquiry Form to receive an application. Attend a school tour or open houses. The admissions policy welcomes families regardless of cultural or socio-economic background. 2. APPLY & INTERVIEW: Upon receipt and review of your application, we will contact you for an in-person interview of both the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s). 3. NOTIFICATION & ENROLL: Upon an offer of admission, notify us of your acceptance by completing an enrollment agreement and paying the deposit. APPLICATION DEADLINES: Rolling evaluation of Enrollment Application throughout the year, including interview; Admissions decision notification within one month of application submission; Enrollment Agreement Deadline: 2 weeks after admissions decision notification. TUITION & FEES: $270-$2,000 per month ($3,250-$24,000 per year); Tuition includes lunch and snacks and 12-month programming through the summer; Sliding scale tuition based on family need; Extended care and after school enrichment activities are available for $122-$365 per month.	Admissions 1. Open House visits: Visit San Francisco Pacific Academy for a weekday Open House Tour to see students and faculty in action. Open Houses are held on Wednesdays, start at 11:00, and last about one hour. The tours are led by Eleonora Nayberg, the Head of School, with help from 5th and 6th grade students who are the “connoisseurs” of life at SFPA, and at the end the Head of School answers questions. 2. Admission Test and required materials (K-1 pathway): After a preliminary visit, schedule a student evaluation, or Admission Test. The test day is a weekday at 8:30am, lasts 30 minutes, and is conducted one-on-one with a teacher. Download the Admission Test Request Form, indicate three preferred dates, and mail it back with a $50 Admission Test fee; once received, you will receive an email confirming the date. The Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form (required) must be printed, signed by the parent/guardian, completed by the child's preschool or current school, and returned to SFPA before the scheduled test. 3. Evaluation and age requirements (K-1): The Kindergarten applicant must be five years old by September 1. In addition to the test, the Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form is required and must be completed by the child's current school before testing. 4. 2-8 admission pathway notes (CTP5/SSAT): Beginning in third grade, SFPA conducts CTP5 testing as part of its evaluation framework, with SSAT used in the eighth grade for secondary school admissions. 5. Application timing and decisions (general): Families may submit application materials for the upcoming school year starting November 1, and to be considered in the first round, materials should be submitted by January 17. The decision letters are mailed within a week after the test date, and families are given a week to reflect before deciding. If space is unavailable, families may be placed on a waiting list. 6. Teacher evaluations and recommendations (K-1 and 2-8): Teacher evaluations from the child's current school are required as part of the application, and additional letters of recommendation are neither expected nor required. 7. Waiting list specifics (general): Being placed on the waiting list means enrollment may be offered if space becomes available; spaces are typically known after April 17, but openings can occur in spring and summer, and the Admissions Office will contact families who stay on the list.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Being placed on the waiting list means enrollment may be offered if space becomes available. Normally, spaces become available shortly after April 17, but sometimes openings occur in spring and summer. The Admissions Office will contact families who remain on the waiting list if a space becomes available.
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