Hiba Academy Bay Area

United States, San Francisco

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English, Mandarin

Fees Fees not listed

Ages 3 - 11 years

Type Co-educational

Opened 2026

Bus Service No

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (PYP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)

Taught languages English, Mandarin

Strengths STEM, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language

Stages Early Years, Primary School

Introduction

Hiba Academy Bay Area is a private international independent school opening Fall 2026 in San Francisco. As the newest member of the Wellington College Education network, it draws on a 160-year UK heritage and a global footprint that includes schools in the UK, China, Thailand, India, and beyond. The school delivers a bilingual English–Chinese curriculum from Early Years through Primary Years, with Chinese used as an instruction language in the Primary Years and English and Chinese used across learning experiences. The IB Primary Years Programme framework emphasizes inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and empathy. In Early Years, learning is immersive and hands-on, developing mathematics, literacy, language, and the arts in both languages. Academic Enrichment includes STEM, coding, language, and math explorations, while arts, calligraphy, and cultural traditions reinforce creative expression. A range of after-school activities supports wellbeing, sport, and social belonging. The campus will offer modern facilities designed for bilingual learning experiences.

99 Rhode Island St San Francisco, CA 94104 USA

Gallery

The school has not added photos

The Essentials

Location

San Francisco, California, USA. The school is located at 99 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94104. It sits in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is part of Wellington College Education, a global network with roots in the United Kingdom.

Stages

Early Years (PK3, PK4) and Primary Years (K, Grade 1)

Type

Private international independent school in the San Francisco Bay Area

Country affiliation

United Kingdom (via Wellington College Education network; UK roots)

Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

The school requires a uniform. It is a consistent visual representation of Wellington College Education's heritage and values. The uniform ranges from practical and stretchy sportswear to traditional and formal attire, depending on age and occasion.

Food Options

The school offers healthy snacks mid-morning and at the end of the day. Students eat lunches together unhurriedly. Most children bring packed lunches from home, and an outside lunch option is available.

Governance and Ownership

Hiba Academy Bay Area is an independent, non-profit international school and is part of Wellington College Education.

Fees

Annual tuition
- Annual tuition: USD 52,000.

Founding family discount
- Founding Family Discount: 10% off tuition for families who enroll in the school's first two years; this discount applies throughout the child's enrollment and to siblings who enroll later.

Application and enrollment charges
- Application fee (one-time, at time of application): USD 100. A means-based waiver is available on request.
- One-time enrollment (registration) fee due at enrollment: USD 2,000 (this fee is waived for Founding Families).
- Tuition deposit due on confirmation of enrollment: USD 4,000; this deposit is credited toward tuition. Families are expected to sign the enrollment contract and submit the deposit within the school's stated confirmation window.

Tuition by year group and per-term detail
- Published tuition is shown as a single annual amount (USD 52,000) for the school year; the school is opening in Fall 2026 and initial intake is PK3, PK4, Kindergarten and Grade 1. There are no separate published tuition rates by year group available in the school's publicly posted materials.
- The school's academic calendar lists the 2026–2027 key dates and term breaks; no per-term tuition schedule or fixed number of billing installments is published. As a result, no official per-term tuition amounts (for example, per semester or per term) are available in the public materials.

After‑school / extended day fees
- After‑School Program: USD 3,500 per year. This program includes a 7:30 am drop-off option and runs until 6:00 pm.

Boarding
- Boarding fees: Not applicable. Hiba Academy Bay Area operates as a day school (published school hours and an after‑school program are provided; no boarding program or boarding fees are published).

Other recurring or likely additional costs
- Uniform: Students are required to wear a uniform; no uniform price list or mandatory uniform fee is published.
- Lunch: Most children bring packed lunches; an outside lunch option will be available (no published price).
- Incidental, optional and program fees (examples that are not listed with amounts in public materials): field trips, specialty classes, extra-curricular clubs beyond the included After‑School Program, supplies, and any optional vendor-provided services. No fixed public pricing for these items is published.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The publicly posted information specifies a USD 4,000 tuition deposit due at enrollment and that families confirm enrollment by signing a contract and submitting the deposit (families are given a short confirmation window once an offer is made). The school does not publish a detailed billing schedule (for example, number of installments per year, exact due dates for term payments, late-payment penalties, or finance charges) in the publicly posted tuition and admissions materials.

Refund information
- The published materials indicate the tuition deposit is credited toward tuition. No complete refund policy, pro‑rata tuition refund schedule, or explicit statements about which fees (application fee, enrollment fee, deposit) are refundable or non-refundable under specific withdrawal or dismissal scenarios are published in the publicly available tuition and admissions pages.

Fee payment options
- The publicly available materials do not list accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, ACH/bank transfer, check, or wire). No published details about transaction fees, online payment portals, or payment plan providers appear in the posted tuition and admissions pages.

Summary of what is published and what is not published
- Published and specific: Annual tuition amount (USD 52,000), founding-family discount (10%), USD 4,000 tuition deposit (credited to tuition), USD 2,000 one‑time enrollment fee (waived for Founding Families), USD 100 application fee (with possible means-based waiver), and After‑School Program fee (USD 3,500).
- Not published in the publicly available materials: separate tuition rates by year group, official per-term tuition or per-term billing amounts, a full billing schedule and payment timetable, a detailed refund/cancellation policy for deposit or tuition, uniform pricing, and the accepted payment methods and payment‑plan options. These items are not provided in the school's publicly posted tuition, admissions, FAQ, or terms pages.

Practical notes for recording these fees in an external database
- Record the annual tuition as USD 52,000 and list the additional mandatory/one‑time charges separately: Application Fee USD 100, Enrollment Fee USD 2,000, Tuition Deposit USD 4,000 (credited to tuition), and After‑School Program USD 3,500. Indicate the Founding Family Discount (10%) as an available ongoing discount for eligible families.

Academics

Curriculum

Bilingual English–Chinese curriculum. Early Years uses immersive, hands-on activities to develop mathematics, literacy, language, and the arts in both English and Chinese. Primary Years delivers all learning in English and Chinese, with Chinese as a language of instruction; the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme framework emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, self-examination, and empathy.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates have studied at Johns Hopkins University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Parsons School of Design (The New School), Oxford University, and Brown University.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school prioritizes social-emotional learning, moral integrity, and resilience to foster confidence, empathy, and belonging. The IB Primary Years Programme emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, self-examination, and empathy to help students develop the skills to contribute positively in a connected world.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school teaches in English and Chinese, with Chinese language as a language of instruction. A 50:50 dual-language model ensures seamless transitions between languages, and the school welcomes children from all language backgrounds. For PK3–Grade 1, no prior Chinese knowledge is required, with individualized guidance to help learners catch up if needed.

Mental Wellbeing

Personal well-being is central: the program focuses on social-emotional learning, resilience, and a sense of belonging, helping students feel safe, supported, and engaged. The Student Services Department provides counseling using evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and art, and safeguarding policies ensure a nurturing environment free from all forms of harm.

Safeguarding

Holistic Counseling and Safeguarding for Every Child describes safeguarding as a thorough policy to ensure learning in a nurturing environment free from all forms of harm or abuse; the Student Services Department provides counseling to support healthy psychological development.

Parent Experience

History

Enrolling PK3, PK4, K, and Grade 1. Hiba Academy Bay Area is a private international school in San Francisco that opens Fall 2026. It is the newest member of Wellington College Education, a global network with a 160-year history of academic excellence rooted in the United Kingdom. The Wellington College network operates schools in the UK, China, Thailand, India, and soon Indonesia, serving more than 10,000 students. The school's bilingual program delivers English and Chinese instruction from Early Years through Primary Years, with Chinese used as a language of instruction in the Primary Years.

Community

At Hiba Academy Bay Area, your child will be part of a vibrant multicultural community of bilingual learners. The school offers a balanced learning journey combining rigorous academics, multicultural experiences, and personal well-being. Admissions materials highlight in-person priority visits and pre-season events, with an accessible calendar of upcoming events.

Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school is opening Fall 2026 as a new international school in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sports Facilities

The site overview mentions campus facilities as part of a private school network but does not provide details about specific sports facilities.

Academic Facilities

The school follows an IB Primary Years Programme framework for its Primary Years and uses bilingual instruction in English and Chinese.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The school emphasizes a balanced bilingual learning journey that includes academics, multicultural experiences, and well-being, with additional after-school offerings.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Academic Enrichment Classes include STEM, language, and math explorations. Students engage in science experiments, LEGO robotics, coding, math games, Mandarin games, calligraphy, songs, and cultural traditions. Through playful exploration and collaborative problem-solving, students develop confidence as inventors, creators, and curious thinkers. These explorations celebrate both languages and cultures, helping students connect their ideas to the world around them.

Arts & Creative

Art club is offered as part of after-school clubs. The program provides opportunities for visual arts and creative expression through projects. After-school activities emphasize collaboration and shared creative achievement through creative projects.

Cultural & Language

The school uses a 50:50 bilingual model with English and Chinese, ensuring bilingual learning. Chinese is a language of instruction in the Primary Years; Mandarin is taught as part of the curriculum. The IB Primary Years Programme framework supports inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and empathy. After-school activities include Mandarin games, calligraphy, songs, and cultural traditions.

Social & Hobbies

Clubs include chess, eco-club, art club, gardening, and board games. Competitions and festivals provide opportunities to showcase talents, work as a team, and celebrate shared success while fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports and Fitness include soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, and yoga. These activities develop coordination, teamwork, and a love of movement, building healthy lifelong habits that nurture body and mind.

Languages

Language Provision

English and Chinese are the languages taught. Early Years exposes students to both languages through immersive activities in English and Chinese. Primary Years delivers all curriculum in English and Chinese, with Chinese as the language of instruction.

Bilingual Teaching

The school teaches in English and Chinese, with a bilingual learning approach across Early Years and Primary Years. In Early Years, students engage in immersive activities in both English and Chinese. In Primary Years, all course content is taught in English and Chinese, with Chinese as a language of instruction.

Immersion Programs

Early Years features immersive, hands-on activities in English and Chinese. Primary Years uses English and Chinese as languages of instruction, enabling students to learn in both languages. The program supports bilingual proficiency and cross-cultural understanding.

Reputation

Awards

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Accreditations

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Admissions

1. Create a Ravenna profile to start your admissions journey. Ravenna manages your admissions checklist, event registrations, and booking your parent interview and your child's assessment visit. If you already have a Ravenna profile, log in and select Hiba Academy Bay Area to continue.

2. Attend an Open House and complete the application components. Attend an Open House to learn about the bilingual program and to hear from school leaders. Parent/guardian interviews are scheduled after you submit the application, and students do not attend. Your child will participate in a Student Visit Day & Assessment, and you will complete the written application by answering the questions and submitting a Student Evaluation Form from your child's current teacher.

3. Review the timeline and age requirements. Hiba Academy Bay Area opens in Fall 2026 with PK3, PK4, Kindergarten, and Grade 1; applications remain open for founding families through the summer. Age requirements are: PK3 3 years by September 1; PK4 4 by September 1; Kindergarten 5 by September 1; Grade 1 6 by September 1. Admission decisions are typically released citywide in March, and families have one week to enroll by signing a contract and submitting a deposit.

4. Admission Decision and Enrollment. Independent schools in San Francisco typically make admission decisions in mid-March 2026; decisions are posted on Ravenna and families have one week to enroll by signing the contract and submitting a deposit. Founding Families will participate in onboarding events, including a ribbon cutting ceremony at 99 Rhode Island Street and orientation before the school year begins; Admitted Family Reception is also held for new families.

5. Optional admissions activities and financial aid information. Heart-to-Heart conversations with the Head of School are optional. Monthly Open Houses are offered in-person or virtual. Admitted families are invited to an Admitted Family Reception. Financial aid is need-based and determined via the Clarity platform, with awards synchronized to enrollment contracts. Founding Families receive a 10% tuition discount in the first two years.

Scholarships

Financial aid is need-based and determined via the Clarity platform, which analyzes a family's ability to pay. Clarity reports inform financial aid awards that are synchronized with enrollment contracts. Founding Families receive a 10% tuition discount in the first two years of operation.

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

Where is Hiba Academy Bay Area located and when does it open?

Hiba Academy Bay Area is in San Francisco at 99 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, and it opens in Fall 2026.

What ages and year groups does the school serve?

The school serves children aged 3 to 11 across Early Years (PK3, PK4) and Primary Years (Kindergarten and Grade 1 for the initial intake).

How do I start the admissions process?

Begin by creating a Ravenna profile and selecting Hiba Academy Bay Area to manage your application checklist, event registration, parent interview booking, and the student's assessment visit. Open Houses are offered monthly and parent interviews and student visits are scheduled after you submit your application.

What application and enrollment charges should I expect?

The one-time application fee is USD 100 and a means-based waiver is available on request, the one-time enrollment fee due at enrollment is USD 2,000 (waived for Founding Families), and a USD 4,000 tuition deposit is due on confirmation of enrollment and is credited toward tuition.

Are there discounts or financial aid available for founding or qualifying families?

Founding Families receive a 10% Founding Family Discount off tuition for families who enroll in the school's first two years, and need-based financial aid is available and assessed through the Clarity platform.

What curriculum does Hiba Academy Bay Area follow?

The school delivers a bilingual English–Chinese curriculum using immersive, hands-on learning in Early Years and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme framework in Primary Years to emphasize inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and empathy.

Do graduates go on to competitive secondary schools and universities?

Graduates from the Wellington College Education network have gone on to schools and universities including Johns Hopkins University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Parsons School of Design (The New School), Oxford University, and Brown University.

What kinds of campus and learning facilities will the school have?

The campus will offer modern facilities designed to support bilingual learning experiences and hands-on Early Years classrooms, with spaces tailored for STEM, arts, and collaborative inquiry.

What sports and physical activities are available to students?

After-school sports and fitness activities include soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, and yoga to build coordination, teamwork, and healthy habits.

What types of clubs and enrichment activities are offered?

Clubs and enrichment include STEM and coding activities like LEGO robotics, math and language explorations, art club, chess, eco-club, gardening, and board games to support creativity and collaboration.

How are arts and cultural traditions incorporated outside the classroom?

Students can join art club and cultural activities such as calligraphy, Mandarin songs, and cultural festivals, which reinforce creative expression and celebrate bilingual traditions.

How does the school support children who are new to English or Chinese?

The school uses a 50:50 dual-language model and welcomes children from all language backgrounds; for PK3–Grade 1 no prior Chinese knowledge is required and individualized guidance is provided to help learners catch up.

What wellbeing and counseling services are available to students?

The Student Services Department provides counseling using evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and art-based approaches, and the program emphasizes social-emotional learning, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

What safeguarding measures does the school have in place?

The school has a thorough safeguarding policy overseen by Student Services to ensure a nurturing environment free from harm or abuse and to support healthy psychological development.

Is there a school uniform and what does it look like?

Yes, students are required to wear a uniform that reflects Wellington College Education's heritage; the range includes practical, stretchy sportswear as well as more traditional and formal attire depending on age and occasion.

Are meals provided at school or do students need to bring lunch?

Most children bring packed lunches and students eat together unhurriedly, while the school provides healthy mid-morning and end-of-day snacks and offers an outside lunch option for families who prefer it.

Is boarding available at Hiba Academy Bay Area?

No, Hiba Academy Bay Area operates as a day school and does not offer a boarding program.

What is the school's relationship with Wellington College Education?

Hiba Academy Bay Area is the newest member of the Wellington College Education network, drawing on a 160-year UK heritage and a global footprint of schools in multiple countries.

How is bilingual learning structured across Early Years and Primary Years?

Early Years learning is immersive and hands-on in both English and Chinese, while Primary Years delivers all learning in English and Chinese with Chinese used as a language of instruction under the IB Primary Years Programme framework.

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