La Scuola International School - San Francisco Mission Campus vs Terra Schools

	L La Scuola International School - San Francisco Mission Campus San Francisco, United States	T Terra Schools San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $36,100 - 48,150	Fees / year $36,975 - 43,450
Age range	Age range 5 - 14 years	Age range 2 - 10 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Reggio Emilia Approach	Curriculum IB (PYP), Reggio Emilia Approach
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 11
Instruction language	Instruction language Italian, English	Instruction language English, Spanish, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2002	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Mission Campus, 3250 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110; Dogpatch Campus, 728 20th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. The San Francisco campuses are named Mission Campus (K–Grade 8) and Dogpatch Campus (Preschool). A Silicon Valley Campus is located at 2086 Clarke Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303, and Milano Campus is in Milan, Italy.	Location Terra San Francisco is located at 3801 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121. Terra Mandarin Preschool is located at 529 Browning St., Mill Valley, CA 94941. Terra Marin PK-8 operates at 70 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Terra San Francisco offers a Pre-K to 8th grade, nature-based, trilingual program in Mandarin, Spanish, and English with weekly Earth Education excursions to nearby spaces such as Crissy Field, The Presidio, Bakers Beach, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.
Stages	Stages Preschool (2-5 years); Elementary School (Grades K-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8).	Stages Terra San Francisco serves Preschool (ages 2–4.5) and Transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade, with 3rd–4th grade integrated in the program. The San Francisco campus provides a PK–8 program across multiple levels, including K–8 language offerings. Terra Marin serves PK–8 in Marin.
School type	School type Private, day school; International Baccalaureate World School; Reggio Emilia-inspired; Italian Language Immersion; multi-campus.	School type Private school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix International community with families representing many nationalities; over 30 languages spoken on campus; only 17% of families have at least one Italian speaker at home; the majority are not Italian speakers.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Differences is listed among the school's learning styles.	Additional learning support Social-emotional learning (SEL) is prioritized through a dedicated SEL curriculum and school-wide support. A team of literacy specialists, educational consultants, and learning specialists collaborates with teachers to support students based on their learning profiles and needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Italy (Italian language immersion and cultural roots; listed by the Italian government as a paritarie school abroad).	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details School bus transportation is available to and from Terra Marin School each weekday for an additional fee. The San Francisco bus stops run pickups between 7:10 and 8:05 am and drop-offs between 3:35 and 4:35 pm; Marin bus stops run pickups between 7:40 and 8:10 am and drop-offs between 3:45 and 4:25 pm. The fleet includes two yellow buses, two vans (up to 12 passengers each), and an SUV; exact stop locations are provided to registered families for safety and privacy.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Sliding-scale (Clarity) application fee: USD 65 (fee to submit the Clarity financial-aid application). - School application/portal: La Scuola uses the Ravenna application portal for admissions; no separate, fixed school application fee amount is published in the school's public admissions materials. Tuition fees (San Francisco) — published academic year 2025–2026 - Preschool, Full Day (until 5:30 p.m.; 5-day schedule; lunch and morning & afternoon snacks included): USD 45,150 per year. - Preschool, Half Day (until 1:00 p.m.; 5-day schedule; lunch and morning snack included): USD 36,100 per year. - Elementary (Grades K–5; lunch included): USD 46,200 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8; lunch included): USD 48,150 per year. Mission Campus extended-care charges are billed separately from tuition. Tuition breakdown per term / per year group - The school publishes the above annual tuition amounts for each program (Preschool full day/half day, Elementary, Middle School) for the 2025–2026 academic year. Specific per-term or per-installment amounts are not stated as fixed figures on the public tuition page; extended-care programs list separate fees (see below). Billing schedule and payment terms - Extended-care payments (Mission and Silicon Valley campus extended-care programs) are processed through Clarity and are scheduled over 10 payments beginning in September. Late-pickup penalties apply (base late fee USD 50 after a five-minute grace period; beyond 15 minutes an additional USD 2 per minute; escalated base fee after repeated late pickups). - The school uses the Ravenna hub to accept and manage applications and uses Clarity for sliding-scale tuition processing; families interact with those systems during admissions and financial-aid processes. Contact information for the Business Office is provided for billing questions. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered. La Scuola operates PreK–Grade 8 campuses in San Francisco (Mission and Dogpatch) and a Silicon Valley campus; programs and schedules are day-school formats. Other costs and fees (examples and published extras) - Extended-care / after-school program fees (2025–2026): - Mission Campus registration options: 5 days/week USD 6,500; 3 days/week USD 4,600; daily drop-in USD 50/day. Late-pickup fees as noted above apply. Payments processed via Clarity over 10 payments starting in September. - Silicon Valley extended-care registration options: 5 days/week USD 4,600; 3 days/week USD 3,475; daily drop-in USD 40/day. Payments processed via Clarity over 10 payments starting in September. - School merchandise / uniforms / spiritwear and ancillary items: La Scuola Mercato (the parent-run school store) sells spiritwear, yearbooks and other items; prices vary by item and are purchased separately through the school store (Il Mercato / shoplascuola.com). - Enrichment, camps and special programs: seasonal camp and enrichment program fees are charged separately (registration and per-program fees apply). Extended-care and enrichment have their own registration and billing processes. Refund information - The school's publicly available admissions and tuition materials do not publish a general, consolidated tuition refund or withdrawal policy for the academic year materials accessible to the public. For specific refund or withdrawal terms applicable to an enrollment contract, extended-care registration, or particular program, families are directed to contact the school's admissions or business office directly. Fee payment options - Extended-care payments and sliding-scale processing are handled through Clarity. Clarity-supported payment methods commonly include ACH (bank transfer), debit card, credit card, and wire transfer; credit-card transactions may incur standard processing fees. (Clarity is the platform La Scuola identifies for processing these payments.) - School store purchases are processed via the school store (Il Mercato) checkout system (shop platform). Contact for billing or program-specific fee questions: business.office@lascuolasf.org (Business Office) and admissions@lascuolasf.org (Admissions).	Fee details Application fees - Application fee (Ravenna): USD 100. - Indexed-tuition (Clarity) submission fee for financial-aid consideration: USD 60. Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027 maximum/top rates) - Infant program (monthly): USD 3,500 per month. - Preschool (age 2–4.5 / PK & TK): maximum ranges and billing options: - 10-month plan (school-year billing): USD 2,000 – USD 33,500 (8:40 AM–3:15 PM; aftercare not included). - 12-month — Full (standard 12-month spread): USD 2,000 – USD 38,750 (8:40 AM–3:15 PM; aftercare not included). - 12-month — Extended (year‑round/extended day): USD 2,000 – USD 43,450 (8:40 AM–5:30 PM; aftercare included). - Elementary (TK–3rd listed as the elementary range): USD 2,000 – USD 36,975 per year (annual maximum/top rate for TK–3rd). Note: Terra Schools operates an Indexed Tuition model; the figures above are the Board‑set maximum/top rates for the 2026–2027 year and many families will be placed at lower levels within the USD 2,000–top rate ranges based on the indexed-tuition assessment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Preschool offers documented 10‑month and 12‑month billing arrangements (10‑month and 12‑month options are used in the published tuition structure). Infant program is presented as a monthly rate. Elementary tuition is stated as an annual amount (top rate shown). - Deposits that hold a space for a child are non-refundable. - Aftercare charges are additional and are billed separately; aftercare for the school day is offered 3:15 PM–5:30 PM and is charged as an additional fee (aftercare charges are generally billed monthly and vary by number of days per week). Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; Terra Schools operates day programs at its San Francisco and Mill Valley locations. Other costs and typical additional fees - After‑school enrichment and specialized programs: additional fees apply; Terra families register and pay for after‑school enrichment through Clarity or Zelle. Examples of camp-related aftercare/shuttle fees are published for camps (aftercare and shuttle are additional). - School bus/transportation: available on select routes and charged in addition to tuition. Specific route and service fees are billed separately. - Year‑round camps and holiday/summer camps have separate fees and their own refund/processing terms (see camp fee items such as shuttle and aftercare where published). Refund information - Enrollment deposit that holds a space is non-refundable. - Camp registration refund policy: camp registrations may be canceled up to two weeks before a session starts for a full refund minus a USD 99 processing fee; after that two‑week deadline camp fees (and associated shuttle/aftercare fees for camp) are non‑refundable. Fee payment options and payment methods - Application submission and school application are handled through Ravenna (application platform). - Financial‑aid (Indexed Tuition) submissions are managed via the Clarity application; Clarity charges a USD 60 submission fee. - After‑school enrichment payments: families may register and pay using Clarity or Zelle. - For certain school payments and donations the organization publishes bank/wire transfer details (East West Bank) for electronic transfers. Summary (concise) - Application fee: USD 100 (Ravenna). Indexed‑tuition submission fee: USD 60 (Clarity). - Top published tuition rates for 2026–2027: Infant USD 3,500/month; Preschool up to USD 33,500 (10‑month) or up to USD 38,750–USD 43,450 on 12‑month plans; Elementary up to USD 36,975/year. Indexed Tuition ranges begin at USD 2,000 and families may pay lower levels based on need.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school is a day school and does not offer boarding.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch and snacks are provided. Fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily. The school partners with 54 Mint restaurant and catering to provide organic, locally-sourced daily lunches for students, faculty, and staff. Vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options are available.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board oversees the school's financial sustainability, approves the annual budget, oversees the creation of the strategic plan, and sets policies.	Governance and ownership The Terra Schools is a progressive private school in San Francisco and Mill Valley, California.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details IB Primary Years Program (PYP) for Elementary (K-5) and IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for Middle School (6-8). The school integrates the Reggio Emilia Approach with the IB framework. Language of instruction is Italian and English with a Montreal Model balance by grade: K-1 approximately 80% Italian / 20% English; Grade 2 approximately 70% Italian / 30% English; Grades 3-5 approximately 50% Italian / 50% English; Grades 6-8 approximately 30% Italian / 70% English. Spanish is taught in Grades 4-5. The curriculum uses transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry, culminates in the PYP Exhibition, and aligns with the Italian National Curriculum; the school is an IB World School for both PYP and MYP.	Curriculum details Terra Schools offer nature-based, multilingual education in Spanish, Mandarin, and English for Pre-K through 8th grade. The program blends the Reggio Emilia philosophy with the International Baccalaureate framework. Learn features tailored, collegiate-track academics, multilingualism, project-based learning, and high school preparation. Grow centers on Earth Education and outdoor learning, with arts, teamwork, creative problem solving, and flexible thinking. Belong emphasizes social-emotional learning, student-led discussions, mentorship, family partnership, and diversity. Languages include Spanish and Mandarin immersion.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Low student-teacher ratios are emphasized.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have attended high schools in San Francisco and beyond, including the International School of San Francisco, University High School, Lick-Wilmerding High School, The Urban School, Drew School, Saint Ignatius, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Lowell High School, Mission High School, and others. The first graduating class of 2020 is attending universities such as Georgetown University, Pratt Institute, University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University, UC Santa Cruz, University College Dublin, University College London, and Bocconi University in Milan.	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 Pedagogy of Relationships centers on trusting and loving relationships between teachers and students to support emotional wellbeing and learning. Responsive Classroom and Restorative Justice guide the development of classroom and school communities and provide tools to address conflicts with empathy, respect, and open communication. The school maintains a caring, safe, and supportive environment where the wellbeing of everyone comes first. Foundations for SEL come from the CASEL framework, including social awareness, relationship skills, self-awareness, and self-management. Ongoing SEL skill-building includes check-ins, grounding, active listening, body language, relaxation exercises, and the development of respect and empathy. Values such as kindness, inclusion, health, communication, peace, self-advocacy, mindfulness, integrity, respect, empathy, responsibility, cooperation, compassion, resilience, and leadership guide SEL; lessons aim to build intrapersonal and social skills and to improve well-being and academic performance.	Social & emotional learning The Terra Schools incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as a core part of the Belong pillar. Social emotional learning is a foundation for success, and the program includes student-led discussions (Harkness Table), mentorship, family partnership, and a focus on developing emotional intelligence and positive attitudes toward self and others.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) La Scuola uses a Tier 1 and Tier 2 support model: strong classroom teaching (Tier 1) with small-group or targeted supports (Tier 2) to meet all student needs. Support is embedded in everyday classroom life; the approach differentiates for those who need more support or deeper challenge; it helps students leverage their strengths and learning profiles. All learners can access robust academics in both Italian and English. The school partners closely with families and specialists to support the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and linguistically.	Special educational needs (SEN) The Terra Schools provide support for diverse learning needs through literacy specialists, educational consultants, and learning specialists who identify and address each student's unique learning differences. They communicate with the student's learning team (student, parent, advisor, teachers, outside professionals, etc.) and collaborate with teachers to address student support needs, while helping parents understand their child's learning profile and providing social-emotional support.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language La Scuola is a language immersion school with Italian as the primary language in PreK–Grade 3, and children do not need to speak Italian to enroll in the Italian immersion program. In Grades PreK–3 the primary language in the classroom is Italian; starting in Grade 4, students learn Spanish as a second language, and in Middle School students can follow paths with English, Italian, and Spanish. Languages are differentiated in instruction according to student ability, and the Middle School is inherently multilingual due to the languages taught and used. Many graduates continue language study in high school, and bilingualism is associated with cognitive and academic benefits.	English as an additional language English is one of the languages of instruction in a trilingual program that also includes Spanish and Mandarin; Spanish and Mandarin immersion is offered, with English used in instruction.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Emotional wellbeing is a central focus; La Scuola strives to provide a caring, safe, and supportive environment that prioritizes wellbeing alongside learning. The SEL program builds social-emotional skills through regular check-ins, grounding, active listening, body language, relaxation exercises, and the development of empathy and respect. Tools such as the Emotional Thermometer and growth-mindset practices support students in managing pressure and stress. Core values—kindness, inclusion, health, peace, and resilience—guide daily interactions and behaviors. The school also emphasizes fostering physical and emotional wellbeing as part of its health and safety practices.	Mental wellbeing Earth Education provides experiential outdoor learning that reduces stress and supports wellbeing, leadership, and teamwork. Social Emotional Learning is a foundation for success and supports positive attitudes toward self and others.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding La Scuola is Open to the World and emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, rejecting discrimination on multiple grounds and aiming to empower all community members to participate fully. The Pollyanna Racial Literacy Curriculum, guided by the DEIB Director with Kindergarten through Grade 8 teachers, supports constructive conversations about race and racism. The school highlights languages spoken by families and staff, reflecting a richly multilingual community, and partnerships such as the SMART program extend opportunities to lower‑income families. These practices contribute to a safe, inclusive environment that protects and supports student wellbeing.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Mission Campus houses K-8 students in the Mission District. The building is the first Reggio Emilia Approach-inspired campus in the Americas. The main entrance houses the food atelier, dining room, art, music, and makers ateliers, along with Middle School classrooms and gathering spaces. The Ateliers are central to the Reggio Emilia program, providing spaces to learn, explore, create, and experiment. The Mission Campus includes two other buildings: a historic St. Charles building with light-filled elementary classrooms and a Van Ness Avenue building that contains the gymnasium and additional ateliers. The piazza features a stage and a basketball court, and houses several ateliers, while play structures on the piazza follow Reggio Emilia principles.	Facilities overview Terra San Francisco TK-2 is a nature-based, trilingual Mandarin, Spanish, and English program for Transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Language immersion is foundational, with 80% of instruction in the target language and English and Math taught in English. Students participate in weekly nature-based excursions led by Earth Education specialists, supporting outdoor experiential learning. The program uses a personalized curriculum with low student-teacher ratios to foster individual growth. The Terra approach blends Reggio Emilia-inspired inquiry with project-based learning to develop critical thinking and collaboration.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Van Ness Avenue building contains our gymnasium and additional ateliers. The piazza includes a stage, a basketball court, and several ateliers for student recreation. Play structures on the piazza were designed by an Italian architect in accordance with Reggio Emilia principles. Outdoor time is part of the daily schedule, providing space for active play.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The St. Charles building features light-filled classrooms designed to be spaces of curiosity and wonder. These interiors reflect the Reggio Emilia curriculum's commitment to hands-on learning and its belief in the environment as the 'third teacher.' La Scuola's immersive approach to learning Italian can be seen in the classroom. The classroom environment supports cross-grade learning and daily teacher connections. The campus culminates Grade 8 with the IB Middle Years Program Community Project and includes a brand-new Mission Campus building that brings light, color, and energy to learning.	Academic facilities Terra San Francisco emphasizes tailored, collegiate-track academics with multilingual instruction beginning in preschool. Languages include multilingual Spanish, Mandarin, and English education, with 80% of instruction in the target language in TK-2 and English for English and Math, expanding to language infusion in higher grades. In grades 3–4, immersion shifts toward infusion with 20% of instruction in the target language. Inquiry-based, project-based learning underpins classroom experiences, supported by banded scheduling that groups students by ability in math and world languages. This approach aims to foster critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Ateliers provide spaces to learn, explore, create, and experiment. The piazza includes a stage for performances, a basketball court, and several ateliers for student recreation. The school garden is used for hands-on learning, with students harvesting radishes from the school garden. Cross-grade learning is an integral part of La Scuola's community, and the IB Middle Years Program emphasizes Service as Action in Grade 8.	Extra curricular facilities Earth education and outdoor school are central, with weekly nature-based experiences led by Earth Education specialists. Arts electives include drama, music, and visual art to encourage creative expression. Student-led discussions (Harkness method) and social-emotional learning foster agency, empathy, and respectful dialogue. Mentorship, family partnership, and community events support belonging and social development. Additional offerings include after-care and enrichment classes, school buses, and Summer Camps.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Founded in 2002. It began as an Italian language playgroup and has grown to operate across multiple campuses, including the Mission Campus (K–8), the Dogpatch Campus (Preschool), and the Silicon Valley Campus (PreK–Elementary), plus a Milano, Italy campus. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and is recognized as an Italian Accredited School (Scuola Paritaria) abroad by the Italian Ministry of Education.	History Terra Schools were founded by a San Francisco educator who opened Presidio Knolls School in 2008 as a Mandarin-immersion program inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. In 2018, Terra Schools opened a Mill Valley campus to offer a nature-based program and expand Mandarin immersion and multilingual education. Terra San Francisco serves Preschool through 2nd grade, while Terra Mandarin Preschool operates in Mill Valley. The schools provide nature-based, multilingual education in Spanish and Mandarin, integrating the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the International Baccalaureate framework, with an emphasis on outdoor learning, arts, and social-emotional growth.
Community	Community The Parents Association (PALS) works collaboratively with La Scuola faculty and staff to support and facilitate programming, experiences, ideas, and opportunities that welcome, engage, and foster the La Scuola community and support the school's mission to inspire brave learners to shape the future. La Scuola has a long and rich history of parent involvement and participation from its early beginnings as an Italian language playgroup, and now includes more than 250 families at three campuses. PALS organizes and supports events each year including: Welcome Picnic, Back to School Coffees, Staff and Teacher Appreciation, Book Fair, Holiday Party, Beach Clean-ups, The Annual Spring Fiera, Italian Heritage Parade, Lunar New Year Celebrations, Diwali Celebrations, World Day of Cultural Diversity, Mission Carneval, and Graduation. PALS supports the school through committees such as Library, Garden, Music, Yearbook, La Dolce Vita, Admin and Konstella, Community, Leadership, SPEAK, and Service Learning. Pal s contact: pals@lascuolasf.org.	Community Terra Schools foster a community built on family partnership and emotional safety. Community activities include a Fun Run, Movie Night, and Halloween Party. Parent committees include Building & Grounds Beautification, Lunar New Year, Nutrition, Yearbook, and Performing Arts. Families contribute 10 hours per year for a single-parent household or 20 hours per year for two parents to support school life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association PALS is the Parents Association of La Scuola and works collaboratively with La Scuola faculty and staff to support and foster the La Scuola community and the school's mission. It includes events such as the Annual Welcome Picnic, Back to School Coffees, Staff and Teacher Appreciation, Book Fair, Holiday Party, Beach Clean-ups, The Annual Spring Fiera, Italian Heritage Parade, Lunar New Year Celebrations, Diwali Celebrations, World Day of Cultural Diversity, Mission Carneval, Graduation, and committees including Library, Garden, Music, Yearbook, La Dolce Vita, Admin and Konstella, Community, Leadership, SPEAK, and Service Learning. Over 10,000 volunteer hours are contributed annually by parents across three campuses.	Parent teacher association Terra Schools maintains a Parent Association that partners with families to raise children well. The Association coordinates promotional and recruitment activities, social and fundraising events, classroom support, campus improvements, maintenance, and more. Each family is invited to contribute 10 hours per year for a single-parent household or 20 hours per year for two parents. The Terra Schools community hosts events such as a Fun Run, Movie Night, and Halloween Party. Committees include Lunar New Year, Nutrition, Yearbook, and Performing Arts. This structure strengthens school community and family engagement.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Ateliers provide space to develop ideas and tackle the unknown. The Reggio Emilia approach treats the environment as the 'third teacher' to inspire curiosity, creativity, and joy. The Ateliers include music, visual arts, design, and garden study that connect across disciplines in project‑based work. The tinkering lab emphasizes design thinking, modeling, coding, and hands‑on exploration across subjects.	Academic & intellectual The school offers tailored, collegiate-track academics. The school provides multilingual instruction and project-based learning. The school includes high school preparation in the program. The school fosters a love of learning across grades.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The Ambassador Ensemble is a plucked string orchestra that rehearses and performs for special events. La Scuola celebrates two all‑school concerts each year. The Visual Arts atelier enables students to create their own works and express themselves. Design and the tinkering program engage students in modeling, coding, and a wide range of media to bring ideas to life.	Arts & creative The school's arts program includes singing, music video making, improvisational drama, and a rock band. The school offers an all-school play and playwriting activities. The school provides cake decorating and 2D studio drawing. The school encourages creativity as part of the Grow pillar.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language La Scuola is a language immersion school with Italian as the primary classroom language in Preschool through Grade 3. Starting in Grade 4, Spanish is introduced as a third language, and in Middle School students pursue language paths with Italian as a second language and Spanish as a third, or vice versa. Specialist subjects may be taught in English or Italian, and the Middle School remains inherently multilingual with English, Italian, and Spanish.	Cultural & language The school offers Spanish and Mandarin immersion as part of the language program. The school emphasizes empathy building, critical thinking, and cultural diversity and appreciation. The school integrates these language and cultural components with Terra's Learn, Grow, Belong pillars.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school hosts music performances, including two all‑school concerts each year. Ambassador Ensemble provides additional performance opportunities at events. The Ateliers support collaborative inquiry across music, visual arts, design, and gardening projects, fostering teamwork and peer learning. Community events and school celebrations bring families together through the arts and learning experiences.	Social & hobbies The school uses Student-Led Discussions (Harkness Table) to guide conversations. The school prioritizes social-emotional learning and mentorship. The school emphasizes family partnership. The school values diversity in its community.
Community & service	Community & service The Garden & Environmental Studies program engages students in gardening, ecology, and stewardship, connecting learning with the environment and community. Students explore plant identification, garden visitors, and the cycle of food production, developing empathy and a sense of responsibility toward their community. Graduates understand the interdependence of nature and how it relates to lives around the world.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Athletics foster leadership, commitment, and true sportsmanship, with student‑athletes representing La Scuola in the San Francisco International Athletic League (SFIAL). A large share of middle schoolers participate in athletic programs, building teamwork and school pride. Participation in ensemble performances and project work also develops collaboration, time management, and leadership skills within a learning community.	Leadership & professional The school fosters leadership and teamwork through Earth Education and outdoor learning. The school supports leadership development through mentorship and social-emotional learning. The school encourages collaborative problem-solving and community contribution. The school prepares students to lead and participate effectively in teams.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The PE and Wellness program focuses on movement, fitness, and holistic development from preschool through middle school. IB‑MYP Physical and Health Education emphasizes healthy life choices, inquiry, and personal well‑being. Extended Day & Camps provide after‑school care with various registration options and nut‑free snacks, and include morning care on select days for younger students.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school uses experiential outdoor learning to reduce stress and support well-being. The school's approach boosts academic performance. The school cultivates leadership and teamwork and nurtures wonder and curiosity. The school fosters outdoor exploration as part of daily routines.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Languages taught include Italian, English and Spanish. Italian and English are the two main languages of instruction, balanced by the Montreal Model: Preschool about 10% English - 90% Italian; Grades K-1 about 20% English - 80% Italian; Grade 2 about 30% English - 70% Italian; Grades 3-5 about 50% Italian - 50% English; Grades 6-8 about 70% English - 30% Italian. Specialist subjects may be taught in English or Italian.	Language provision Languages taught are English, Spanish and Mandarin. Immersion is provided in Spanish and Mandarin; the program aims for fluency in a second language. The school serves Pre-K to 8th grade across multiple campuses, including Terra San Francisco and Terra Mandarin Preschool.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching La Scuola teaches using two main languages of instruction, Italian and English, balanced through the Montreal Model. From Kindergarten through Grade 1, Italian is the language of instruction about 80% of the time and English about 20%. From Grade 2, the balance is approximately 70% Italian and 30% English. From Grades 3–5 the balance is about 50% Italian and 50% English, and Grades 6–8 use about 30% Italian and 70% English; specialist subjects may be taught in English or Italian.	Bilingual teaching The Terra Schools offer bilingual/multilingual education in Mandarin, Spanish and English. Mandarin and Spanish are delivered through language immersion, and English is used for instruction across core subjects. The program spans Preschool through 8th grade, with Terra San Francisco serving Preschool–2nd grade and Terra Mandarin Preschool serving Mandarin immersion preschool.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Your child does not need to speak Italian to enroll in the Italian language immersion program. In PreK–3, the primary classroom language is Italian, and starting in Grade 4, students learn Spanish as a third language. In Middle School, students can follow different paths, with Italian as second language and Spanish as third, or vice versa, and the Middle School remains inherently multilingual with English, Italian and Spanish.	Immersion programs Immersion in Spanish and Mandarin is provided. The Languages pillar identifies 'Spanish & Mandarin Immersion'. Early language immersion is emphasized to support bilingual proficiency.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards Bay Area Parent Gold Award — School received a Gold honor from Bay Area Parent. A+ Grade on Niche — Terra Schools earned an A+ grade on Niche. 5 Stars on Yelp — Terra Schools has a 5-star rating on Yelp.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations IB World School — Authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Terra San Francisco. IB World School status reflects official authorization to deliver IB programs.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Apply to La Scuola International School. Sign up for an account with Ravenna to manage the application, register for campus tours and events, and view admissions decisions. Through Ravenna you can schedule a in-person tour or join a virtual event, and you can submit an application through Ravenna by January 15, 2026; enrollment decisions are sent in March 2026. Admissions are organized by grade level: Preschool process (ages Piccoli 2-3, Grandi 3-4, Grandissimi 4-5); Kindergarten process (age 5+ by September 1, 2026); Grades 1-5 process; Grades 6-8 process. Students are not required to speak Italian to enroll in preschool, kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 6; Grades 2-5 and Grades 7-8 are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Middle School instruction is primarily in English with 6 hours of language instruction per 6-day rotation, split 4 hours/2 hours between the second language and the third language (Italian or Spanish). Admissions events include Open Houses, Campus Tours, and Parent Education Series; see Tours & Events for details. The three La Scuola campuses include Mission (K–8) and Dogpatch (Preschool) in San Francisco, Silicon Valley (PreK–Elementary), and Milano (Italy). Sliding Scale Tuition is described separately; see Tuition & Affordability for details.	Admissions 1. Connect with Terra: Join a tour or an open house to explore the school and learn about the Terra curriculum. 2. Apply: Complete the online application through Ravenna and search for Terra Schools to find the correct application. 3. Student Assessment / Playdate: TK–4th grade families schedule a Student Assessment, Preschool families schedule a Student Playdate to experience the learning environment firsthand. 4. Family Meet & Greet: A 20‑minute Zoom with the Terra team to share information about the child and answer questions. 5. Admission Decision: Decisions are released electronically. Additional details: The application fee is 100 dollars; waivers are available by contacting admissions@terraschools.org. Ravenna is the third‑party application platform used by Terra and many Bay Area private independent schools. For financial aid, Terra uses an Indexed Tuition model that aligns tuition with each family's financial circumstances, with ranges starting at 2,000 dollars. 37% of Terra families receive financial aid. New student Clarity applications for Indexed Tuition are due by February 14, 2026, and returning student applications are due by January 31, 2026. Clarity requires documents such as tax returns and W‑2s and has a submission fee of 60 dollars. 2026–2027 maximum tuition rates vary by program: Preschool 10‑month up to 33,500 dollars; Preschool 12‑month full up to 38,750 dollars; Preschool 12‑month extend up to 43,450 dollars; Elementary TK–3rd up to 36,975 dollars. Clarity is used to determine the Indexed Tuition, with a 30‑minute application time and a mobile‑friendly process. Contact admissions@terraschools.org for questions; Terra San Francisco and Terra Marin have dedicated admissions contact points as listed on the admissions pages.
Scholarships	Scholarships Sliding Scale Tuition Grants are awarded to families based on demonstrated financial need as determined by the Clarity application and the La Scuola Tuition Committee. The Clarity application is used to assess financial need, and the process is designed to include a $65 submission fee. Sliding scale tuition is available for Grandi (3-4 years old), Grandissimi (4-5 years old), and Kindergarten through Grade 8; there are no merit-based awards. Award determinations are made after reviewing the Clarity application and the school's budget, and awards are not guaranteed due to limited funds. The deadline for completing the sliding scale tuition application and submitting supporting documents is January 21, 2026 for current families and February 1, 2026 for prospective families. Award letters are mailed with enrollment contracts. Questions about sliding scale tuition can be directed to Nichole Leon, Director of Admissions, SST & DEIB, at nichole.leon@lascuolasf.org. The school is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and does not receive state or federal funding.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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