Katherine Michiels School

Our family loved this little school and remember it with love. That is the best you can say for a preschool. Good summer program too.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school and a perfect environment -- our daughter loves being there. Thank you for having such a unique place. Great academics and a wonderful way to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum is great but the facilities are really old... this school is very expensive and for the price you would expect a nice classroom. However, kindergarten kids are in a basement with no natural light and old furniture. The teachers are great though. My child loves his class.
—Submitted by a parent

KMS is an excellent school - really magical for kids to learn and grow. My daughter really enjoys going there and loves it. They have a great Art, Spanish, Dance and study program. The teachers are excellent and work very hard at creating team work and making them work together. I would highly recommend it. Also, the vegan lunch program is very healthy and reasonably priced. The school house is very beautiful and charming. We are going to miss being there.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten and pre-K are combined at KMS, and it is nothing short of an amazing program! They have a little rock band that is currently rehearsing The Monster Mash (given the season), have folklorico dancing - at least an hour of Spanish every day, and four hours of art a day if they so choose. Funny, smart, experienced teachers. You never know what will greet you in the morning - the last few days there's been a microscope set up to greet kid/parent with some grains of sand from their recent field trip to Ocean Beach - next to it is an open notebook where the parent records the child's observations of what they see. The place is bursting with art, science experiments, amazing block cities the kids have built together. The building is fantastic - full of light, easy access to a garden, dance studio in the attic...
—Submitted by a parent

KMS elem. program is a unique school thay gives kids a small, caring environment to grow as a whole person. It was exactly what my son needed at the time of his development.
—Submitted by a parent

A welcoming and friendly place, our child has really blossomed since starting preschool here a year ago. The staff is helpful and very interested in our child's welfare and the other parents friendly enough.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family loves this school! It is a very small community where our children feel very at home and feel like part of the family. The environment is very warm, the teachers really care, and except kids for who they are and try to make them the best that they can be.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is awesome, the kids really have fun there and the teachers really care. I love the organic fresh meals and the family spirit.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son attended prescool there and it was a nightmare for him and us! The parents and famlilies are not friendly and there is no sense of community. Children seem to get lost in the shuffle. Terrible school all the way around.
—Submitted by a parent

A wonderful and welcoming place which tailors the lessons to each kids learning style. Kids are loved and accepted for who they are. Wonderful organic meals, art, music, dance and Spanish incorporated through out the day. Kids are free to climb tress and dig in the dirt. Kids come home dirty and very happy each day. Very different from other schools of its type. I couldn't imagine an happier place for our child.
—Submitted by a parent

Very child centered environment. The school works hard to provide children with access to a variety of cultures, through celebration of holidays, cultures, music and art.
—Submitted by a parent

Small, coeducation environment. Convenient location for those living in Noe Valley, Geln Park or Bernal Heights (and of course the Mission). Very homey atmosphere, gifted teachers who give the individual students close attention. Great facilities and a fresh new perspective/philosophy on how students learn best (with some of the same key principles as the Montessori Schools).
—Submitted by a former student

Unfortunately, while KMS has had its great moments over the past 2 years, there has been a noticeable decline in child safety with parents (and possibly licensing authorities) not being informed. Supervision of outside play continues, despite frequent parent/administration discussions, to not meet basic safety standards. The administration has reacted arrogantly and defensively to legitimate complaints raised by parents, resulting in a large numbers of long-time families leaving the school before their children were ready to enter kindergarten. The elementary program is not good, and appears to be subsidized heavily by the preschool program. Good bones, but a program in deep crisis at this time, especially with the loss of 2 out of their 5 most experienced preschool teachers just in August.
—Submitted by Michele Beasley, a parent

This year my daughter finished her 8th year at KMS. She started as a preschooler and just completed 5th grade. KMS has an absolutely outstanding preschool, with staff that is wonderful, a facility that is exciting for the kids, and a philosophy that builds strong learners. The elementary program is intimate and flexible and vibrant. My daughter has been well prepared to be express herself and move on into middle school.
—Submitted by Kathy, a parent