Admissions

APPLICATION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in Cypress School of San Francisco. We are excited to learn more about your family! If you wish to be considered for enrollment in fall of 2027 and beyond, please see below for the next steps:

Step One

Join our mailing list for tours and events. Please register on Ravenna Hub, then click "explore" or “apply” under Cypress School’s designated page.

Step Two

Join us for a tour! We provide school tours every year, between October and December, and they are a required step in our admissions process.

Once you have toured and learned more about Cypress School, you may proceed.

Step Three

Complete an online application via Ravenna Hub for each child, and submit your application processing fee.

If you feel your family could benefit from an application fee waiver, please email admissions@cypressschoolsf.org for this year’s fee waiver code.

Step Four

Schedule your mandatory 30-minute Parent/Guardian Chat via Zoom or in person.

Step Five

In alignment with the San Francisco Preschool Directors Group, Cypress School, along with the many preschools in San Francisco and independent schools with pre or transitional kindergartens, will release admissions decisions mid-March.

Cypress School strives to create a rich, vibrant community.  We admit students of any race, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin. 

For enrollment, we consider:

  • Completion of all mandatory steps in the application process.

  • Balance within each class cohort, considering a wide range of factors.

  • Siblings of current families are given preference (though we cannot guarantee their acceptance).

Students must be 2 years old by July 1st of their enrolling year.

age CUT-OFF

Pre-K and TK-Age Children

Looking for another year of preschool before Kindergarten?  Cypress School’s approach balances inquiry and anti-biased, social constructivist teaching and learning with structured skill-building.  Our inquiry-focused curriculum places value on thinking, investigations, relationships, and theories of the young learner while amplifying the skills needed for reading, writing, and math processes.  Through rich, learner-centered experiences, it is our goal to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, stewardship, social responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning, proven skills for Kindergarten readiness.

Cypress School operates from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM during scheduled school days.

Dates for the 2026/2027 school year are:

  • First Day: August 17, 2026

  • Last Day: July 14, 2027

SCHOOL DATES & HOURS

Tuition for the 2026/2027 school year is set at $39,806.  All ages will be full-day and full-year, and tuition will be the same across all classes. We will share 2027/2028 tuition before sending letters of acceptance.

Cypress School uses Clarity for tuition and financial aid management. We offer three different payment options: 1) Pay in Full, 2) Semi-Annually, or 3) Nine Payments.  All initial tuition payments are due at the start of July.  At the time of enrollment, a 10% non-refundable deposit is due (which is credited towards your tuition) along with the signed Enrollment Agreement.  Your enrollment spot is secured once both are received and processed.

TUITION RATES

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Cypress School is committed to honoring economic diversity and is dedicated to making our school accessible to all families.  Through our Community Fund, our robust tuition assistance program, we are able to provide financial assistance to a broad range of families.

  • It is our goal that Cypress School be accessible to any and all Bay Area families interested in applying, and it is our hope that families will apply to Cypress School regardless of financial circumstances.  Learn more about our community demographics and data as well as more on our perspective around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, + Belonging.

View Data

COMMUNITY FUND

  • Assistance is based on need, eligibility, and availability of funds.  Every year we seek to fund 100% of applicants.  Historically to date, on average, 8 - 10% of the student body is supported by the Community Fund, with grants ranging from 32% - 87% of the cost of tuition.  Determining eligibility for the Community Fund is a simple process — submit an online form along with supporting paperwork to our third-party administrator, Clarity.  Clarity keeps your information confidential, impartially analyzes the financial information families provide, and assesses a recommended family contribution for tuition.  Applying for the Community Fund has no bearing on acceptance to Cypress School.  Eligibility and Community Fund grants accompany Offer Letters in March of every year.

  • Submit your completed online application and all supplemental forms in February.

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TOURS

Through the admissions process at Cypress School, it is our goal to provide a multitude of windows into our program.  Tours are required for applicants and are given several times a year between October and January. We offer these tours in-person during the school day to provide a glimpse into the community and an opportunity to see our teaching and learning in action.

Please register for a learning tour on Ravenna.

Optional Admissions Events

Optional events are a great way to learn more about what makes Cypress School a vibrant and thriving community.

Family Participation and Engagement in February

Come chat with our Leadership Team and current Cypress families about the gifts of participation and engagement. Learn more about the Parents/Guardians Association, their committees, and different ways to get involved at Cypress School. 

This chat will also be an opportunity to ask follow-up questions from your tour! 

FAQs

  • After you have toured and learned more about Cypress School, you may complete an online application on Ravenna.

  • Through the admissions process at Cypress School, it is our goal to provide a multitude of windows into our program. Tours are required for applicants and are given several times a year, offered during the school day.

    You can register for a tour on Ravenna.

  • If your child is 2 years old by July 1st of their enrolling year, they will be considered.

  • We have eight classrooms, with children ranging form 2-5 years old. The amount of students in the class depends on the age and class size, with the range being 15-19 students and three teachers.

  • Cypress School will open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:30 PM.

  • Each child will need a separate application for admission and tuition is the same for every child.

    Siblings of current students attending Cypress School receive top priority consideration, and there is not a guarantee of admission. 

  • Looking for another year of preschool before Kindergarten?  Cypress School’s approach balances inquiry and anti-biased, social constructivist teaching and learning with structured skill-building.  During this 4th year of preschool, our inquiry-focused curriculum places value on thinking, investigations, relationships, and theories of the young learner while amplifying the skills needed for reading, writing, and math processes.  Through rich, learner-centered experiences, it is our goal to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, stewardship, social responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning.

  • By mid-February of each year, we will have a clearer picture of our wait pool for that fall. After we determine how many students are returning, and after we know how many siblings need spots, we will contact you if we are able to offer your family acceptance. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any news about placement on the wait pool since there are a number of factors that go into building our classes.

  • In alignment with the San Francisco Preschool Directors Group, we along with the majority of preschools in San Francisco and independent schools with pre-or transitional kindergartens, will send decision letters in March for August entry.

    You will typically receive either an acceptance letter or a wait pool letter.  The March acceptance period is very fluid and families do get moved off the wait pool.  Please stay in touch with us if you would like to come out of the wait pool.  If your child does not receive an acceptance letter for the year that you have requested, you can choose to remain in the wait pool for the following year’s admission cycle.

    If you have further questions about our admissions process, email is highly preferred: admissions@cypressschoolsf.org. If you are unable to email, please call (415) 921-2328.  Thanks again for your interest in Cypress School!