About Us
Our History
More than fifty years of play, community, and sunshine on Grove Street.
Founded by parents, 1974
Pacific Primary was founded in 1974 by a group of parents and Mary Nordland Bodo. A Board of Directors was elected and funds were raised from foundations, parents and other interested parties, enabling the school to acquire and remodel the site at 1500 Grove Street. The immeasurable cooperative effort by staff and parents that turned their goals into a reality set the precedent for the supportive and cohesive community that still surrounds the school.
Parents continue to actively support the school by fundraising, maintaining the school’s physical plant, and are welcome in the classroom and on field trips. The staff continues to consist of some of the most talented, experienced and dedicated professionals in their field.
A respected leader in early childhood education
Under the guidance of the school’s second director, Charlotte Burchard (1982–1995), Pacific Primary became a respected leader in the early childhood education community. In July 1995, Pacific Primary welcomed its third director, Belann Giarretto, who had over 20 years of experience in the field as a director, teacher and parent educator in San Francisco. Under her leadership the school transformed in significant ways: teacher-student ratios improved, staff development and the educational philosophy were strengthened, the percentage of children of color increased from 25% to nearly 50%, and diversity increased in all areas.
Financially, the school also thrived: the mortgage on 1500 Grove was paid off early in 1992 and a Tuition Assistance Endowment was raised. The school’s history of stable leadership continues today under Executive Director Ilsa Miller.
Two Sun Schools
The Yellow Sun School is the original school and opened in September 1974. The Orange Sun School opened in September 2008, directly across the street. Both schools provide an exceptional and nurturing learning environment filled with play and hands-on experiences for children ages two and a half to six years old.
Since its founding, Pacific Primary has supported working parents by providing a full-day program, and has celebrated diversity (ethnic, racial, economic) and all types of families, including adoptive, LGBTQ+ and one-or-more-parent families. Located in San Francisco’s Western Addition neighborhood, the school serves families from across the Bay Area.
