About Us

Students exploring classroom activities and working on child-initiated projects.

About Us

We are a full day, full year school nestled in the Presidio of San Francisco, offering educational programs for children ages 2 - 5.

Our school supports the belief that children learn through play, exploration, and discovery within the context of nurturing and reciprocal influences of children, parents, and teachers.

SCHOOL HISTORY

Early Days of Cypress School (formerly known as Cow Hollow School)

Our school, founded in 2000 by a group of remarkable San Francisco women, was born out of the need for a creative, play-based program for young two-year-olds. The overflowing enrollments of other local preschools with programs for young two-year-olds, and the appeal of a parent participation format for very young children, convinced the founders that there was enough need and interest in San Francisco to create a new school. After much consideration and hard work, we opened with 12 children. A few years into it, the founding teachers and families came to the conclusion that our little school was important, was creating a unique experience for children and families, and needed to establish roots in the City.

Move to the Presidio

In 2002, in order to actualize and make evident our belief in children as active participating members of a rich and diverse society, we asked Darcy Campbell, a specialist, advocate and teacher educator at San Francisco State University to think strategically to create a long lasting vision for Cow Hollow School that would serve young children in our city. We started our search for a space that would reflect our values within and outside of its walls. With the financial support of our then 39 families, in 2005 Darcy and founding board members launched our first capital campaign and successfully set the foundation for the long life of our school and we secured a lease in the Presidio on Funston Avenue in a 1896 historic building. Our move to the Presidio meant that enrollment could increase and our new school nestled in the forest would become accessible to more Bay Area families, amplify our nature focused learning, and offer parent and teacher education programs. The CHS community thrived in our little house between the woods and the water for 18 years, and the Presidio became an integral and beloved part of what made our school so special.

Move to 387 Moraga Ave

As part of our Strategic Planning process in 2018, Darcy Campbell, then serving as the Executive Head of School, and the Board identified that our part-day/part-year program, our building and even our name were barriers to addressing a citywide challenge, meeting the needs of our school community, our city, and fully realizing our goals for inclusivity, accessibility, and advocacy. In 2023 we accomplished our five year plan and moved into our new, much larger, impressive home in the Presidio at 387 Moraga Ave, where we now offer a full-day, full-year program. This new space amplifies and brings the Cow Hollow School/Cypress School magic into the future and opens doors to more families.

Our school is surrounded by a grove of cypress trees and is full of large and airy rooms filled with natural light, and designed for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Every class has independent access to the outside area and garden. Our large community meeting/assembly room that we call ‘The Meadow’ houses a think tank for world-renowned educators to connect, a place for children to assemble, and for parent-to-teacher collaboration and connections – invitations for dialogue for our entire community.

Cypress School of San Francisco

While we opened our doors to 387 Moraga as Cow Hollow School, the final piece to delivering on our strategic plan, and removing barriers to access, was to determine a new, and more representative name. Cow Hollow School, named for its earliest location, part day programming, and families served, no longer represented our Strategic Plan and DEI missions for the school. Returning to our (literal) roots, the symbolism of the Cypress tree — which has been part of our school’s visual mark since our move to the Presidio in 2005 — resonated strongly and emerged as the anchor point for our new name. We also aligned on the tagline “Growing in Wonder, Rooted in Community.” As of December 20, 2024, we are now Cypress School of San Francisco (CSSF).

Cypress School of San Francisco remains grateful to Darcy Campbell, our Executive Director from 2002 to 2025, for her unwavering vision to honor children and childhood, to create a school that thinks deeply about what it means to be in the presence of young children and to keep the rights of children at the forefront of education. Darcy’s thought leadership, vision and commitment built our school into what it is today and her work with parents, teachers, and children remains our inspirational lens for the school’s future.

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Our Team

Administration

Molly Huffman

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The early years are such a magical time and I'm delighted to be able to share a year of discovery and growth with you and your child(ren). The teachers at CSSF design rich opportunities for children to explore and build knowledge, and the Presidio offers a wealth of engaging outdoor learning environments. What an amazing adventure!
Katy Roybal

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
“When we love children, we acknowledge by our every action that they are not property, that they have rights - that we respect and uphold their rights.” - Bell Hooks
Krissi Lewis

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
All children are capable, equipped, and observant contributors. Our community benefits from the equity of voice of all children and families in our care.
Melissa Rivers

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM
I belive that being an early childhood educator is a privilege; it’s about nurturing young minds, fostering curiosity, and building a foundation of trust. When teachers, parents, and children unite in partnership, we create a community where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Sasha Chalak

FINANCE MANAGER
At our school, we believe all children should be educated with love and care.
Leslie Roffman

KINDERGARTEN ADMISSIONS SPECIALIST
“If we can find ways to help ensure mutually respectful, trusting, and ongoing relationships between parents and caregivers then we will have the best kind of shared care for the child.” -Jeree Paul

administration bios

Teachers

Nichole Adrain

SUPPORT TEACHER
I believe in Teachers being flexible and fluid in their approach to their practice when working with young children.
Abby Byrne

SUPPORT TEACHER
I believe children flourish once surrounded by genuine connections to the world around them.
Christina Chin

LEAD TEACHER
I believe it’s important for teachers to be lifelong learners.
Cassie Fennel

LEAD TEACHER
I believe children flourish when shown love, compassion, and empathy, and in turn, teach adults to be more present and believe in the magic of life.
Jess Gallagher

LEAD TEACHER
I believe teachers are co-researchers in learning.
Cece Gomez Del Rio

LEAD TEACHER
I believe parents partner with their children and actively learn from each other.
Cindy Grynkiewicz

LEAD TEACHER
I believe in teachers being flexible and fluid in their approach to their practice when working with young children.
Anne Marie Haro

LEAD TEACHER
I believe teachers have a responsibility to treat their students with dignity and guide them in exploring the world on their own terms.
Jamie Kelty

STUDIO TEACHER
I believe Teachers who lead with curiosity and compassion ignite children’s love of learning.
Carly Kennaugh

LEAD TEACHER
I believe that teachers are still learning every day, especially from their students. From this learning, we adapt our teaching in the classroom to fit the unique needs of every child.
Emily Kish

LEAD TEACHER
I believe that all children deserve to be seen and heard through all forms of communication.
Amy Lee

SUPPORT TEACHER
Our school believes in creating a welcoming environment so children can be their whole selves.
Jen Marquez

LEAD TEACHER
I believe children are born with so much knowledge and that we can learn so much from them.
Sienna Nobleza

LEAD TEACHER
I believe that parents should find joy and celebration in every age of raising their child/children. From early childhood all the way to adulthood.
Joelle Oxoby

LEAD TEACHER
I believe that teachers inspire children to learn, imagine, create, play, and love.
Charlotte Riedler

LEAD TEACHER
I believe parents are a child’s first teacher.
Kristin Schwartz

LEAD TEACHER
I believe that the way we speak to children has an immense impact on a child’s sense of self. All children are worthy of feeling dignity and respect.
Nichole Shen

SUPPORT TEACHER
Every child is a unique, capable, and curious learner. Through play, exploration, and guided discovery, we encouraged children to ask questions, express themselves, and take joy and learning.
Susannah Shum

SUPPORT TEACHER
I believe in encouraging and nurturing each child’s wonder and curiosity about the world, and I feel passionate about learning alongside each child.
Izabela Tavares

LEAD TEACHER
I believe parents should be active participants in their children’s learning.
Amy Thomas

LEAD TEACHER
I believe children are capable of fostering their learning and development with the guidance and support of the grown-ups in their lives.
Natalie Traub

SUPPORT TEACHER
I believe children learn in many different ways, and those individualities should be celebrated.