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Terra Schools

United States, San Francisco

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish, Mandarin
Fees $36,975 - 43,450
Ages 2 - 10 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2018
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Reggio Emilia Approach
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 11
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary
Introduction

Terra San Francisco is a private campus located at 3801 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121, serving Preschool through 2nd grade; the Terra network also offers Pre-K through 8th grade. The program blends the Reggio Emilia approach with the International Baccalaureate framework (PYP), delivering a nature-based, multilingual education in Spanish, Mandarin, and English. In the early grades, about 80% of instruction is in the target language, with English and Math taught in English; higher grades expand language infusion. Students participate in weekly nature-based excursions led by Earth Education specialists, supporting outdoor experiential learning, arts, teamwork, creative problem solving, and flexible thinking. Learn, Grow, Belong anchors Terra's approach, emphasizing tailored academics, multilingualism, social-emotional learning, and family partnership. The school offers after-care, enrichment classes, and community events that foster belonging and global citizenship. Classrooms emphasize inquiry-based, project-focused learning with low student-teacher ratios and collaboration with families.

3801 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

The Essentials

Terra Schools has typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English, Spanish, Mandarin.

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
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.

Type
Private school

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
United States

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The Terra Schools is a progressive private school in San Francisco and Mill Valley, California.
Fees

Annual tuition at Terra Schools ranges from USD 36,975 to USD 43,450 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

Terra Schools teaches IB (PYP), Reggio Emilia Approach for students aged 2 to 10.

Curriculum
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
Low student-teacher ratios are emphasized.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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)
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 (EAL)
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
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.
Parent Experience

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
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 (PTA)
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.
Facilities

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.

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
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.
Extra-Curricular Activities

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
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
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
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.

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
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.
Languages

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
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 in Spanish and Mandarin is provided. The Languages pillar identifies 'Spanish & Mandarin Immersion'. Early language immersion is emphasized to support bilingual proficiency.
Reputation

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
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
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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