Fact Sheet

Background

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

Pacific Primary enrolls 154 children with broad ethnic and family structure diversity. The school has had only four directors in its history, providing stability and strong leadership. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors comprised of 21 current and alumni parents. The school is managed prudently, operating consistently within budget. In 2010, Pacific Primary became a Preschool For All site.

Our Families

Staff

We have 49 staff members, and a student/teacher ratio of approximately 6-to-1. All of our teachers have full ECE units and most have a BA or MA. The average teaching tenure of our staff is 8 years. The staff also includes Music & Movement Specialists and Expressive Arts Specialists, as well as two full-time chefs. Meet our teachers & staff.

Directors: Ilsa Miller, Executive & Yellow Sun School Director; Madonna Stancil & Gretchen Ames, EdD, Orange Sun School Co-Directors.

Board Officers: Erik Berlin & Megan Ohlssen, Co-Presidents; Joshua Sweren, Treasurer; Melanie Pochat, Secretary. See the full Board of Directors.

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 & 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: 2023/2024

From our most recent publicly filed Form 990, for the fiscal year ending August 2024.

Elementary schools attended by graduates

Our graduates go on to a wide range of schools across San Francisco. In a typical year, roughly half of our families choose public schools and about half choose independent schools.