Fact Sheet

Background
Founded in 1974, Pacific Primary provides a full-time, year-round preschool program for San Francisco’s working families. Pacific Primary’s educational philosophy has been designed to support the whole child and foster growth and creativity. Pacific Primary has developed a reputation as one of the most innovative and progressive pre-schools in the United States, recognized today as a national leader in fully integrating all forms of diversity into its curriculum and school environment.

In September 2008, Pacific Primary completed a significant expansion, opening a second facility – the Orange Sun School – directly across the street from the original campus. With this expansion, Pacific Primary now enrolls 155 children with broad ethnic and family structure diversity. The School has had only four directors in its 36 year history, providing stability and strong leadership. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors comprised of 17 parents. The School is managed prudently, operating consistently within budget. Pacific Primary became a Pre-School for All site in January 2010.

Dowload our 2011-2012 Fact Sheet.

Our Families
Total Enrollment 155
Yellow Sun School 80
Orange Sun School 75
Receiving financial aid 17%
With special needs 2%
Total tuition assistance awarded $183,750
As a % of total tuition 6%

Bilingual children 17%

Ethnicity
African American/Bi-racial 17%
Asian/Bi-racial 23%
Hispanic/Latino/Bi-racial 10%
Other 1%
Caucasian 49%

Family Diversity
Single Parents 5%
Gay & Lesbian Parents 10%
Adoptive Parents 6%

Staff
We have 47 staff members, and a student/teacher ratio of approximately 6-to-1. All of our teachers have full Early Childhood Education units and the average teaching tenure of our staff is eight years. The staff also includes Music and Movement Specialists and Expressive Arts Specialists, as well as two full-time chefs.

Staff Contacts:
Belann Giarretto, Executive Director
Lynn Turner, Director
Board Officers:
Hassan Zaidi, President
Michael Dunn, Vice President
Paul Joyce, Treasurer
Mare Manangan, Secretary
Tajel Shah, Member-At-Large

Facilities
 

Yellow Sun School
The original campus – the Yellow Sun School – is a single-story, 4,400 square foot facility on the corner of Grove and Baker, with a playground space of 5,600 square feet. The Yellow Sun School accommodates 80 children and is owned by Pacific Primary.

Orange Sun School
Completed in August 2008, the Orange Sun School is directly across the street from the Yellow Sun School and accommodates 75 children, as well as housing all of Pacific Primary’s administrative offices. This facility is two-story, with 7,400 square feet and a 3,600 square foot playground. The building is ADA-accessible and contains a variety of environmentally sensible features including solar power and radiant heating. The facility is also owned by Pacific Primary.

Finances – 2010/2011 Budget

Endowment
Pacific Primary’s Tuition Assistance Endowment allows the school to draw from interest earnings, in order to increase accessibility, diversity and affordability.

Elementary Schools Attended By Graduates