Lakeside Presbyterian Center for Children

My son just graduated from Lakeside and my daughter started her first year. It is a very special school, with teachers and staff who have been working hard at providing a nurturing, fun, creative and safe environment for our kids for many years. The art projects are amazing and I can't say enough great things about the extended care program, which is more like preschool than daycare! We are lucky to have found such a great school in our neighborhood. We absolutely love it and look forward to the next few years as our little one flourishes there.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children at Lakeside (3 and 5) and are extremely pleased with the Principal, teachers and staff. This is a Christian preschool that welcomes everyone. Our kids have fun and are learning quickly. High parent involvement - a parent volunteers in class quite often. Lakeside graduates matriculate to the best local Catholic elementary schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside was a wonderful, nurturing, enriching place for both my children, and they loved their teachers. The kindergarten program is particularly excellent with an amazing and committed teacher who not only prepares the children well socially and academically but also fosters their curiosity and love of learning. My daughter adored her teacher and still talks about the many things she learned. She was more than well prepared for her entry into primary school. My children were accepted into every private school we applied to. Lakeside was a great school for my kids and family.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside Preschool was such a great academic and social experience for our son. He is currently in the competitive environment of a private school and in the top of his class. We can't thank the team at Lakeside, specifically his kindergarten teachers for the solid skills they have fostered in him. Also, the warm and welcoming environment made us feel like we were leaving him at Grandma's house. How wonderful is that! Our family highly recommends this comprehensive program to all!
—Submitted by a parent

We highly recommend Lakeside to all our friends in San Francisco. Our 1st son spent 3-years at Lakeside and was so well prepared in the Pre-K program that he got into all 5 of the private schools that we applied to. Our second son has made more progress than we dreamed possible in the Lakeside Kindergarten program. He has been accepted to repeat Kindergarten (due to his birthday) at his brother's private school. The admissions director at the private school also recommends Lakeside to parents moving to San Francisco or looking for a good pre-school. She visits the school every year to evaluate candidates and says 'Lakeside is a little-known jewel in the Avenues'. She highlights 1. the structured classes that prepare kids well for her very academic private school and 2. the kind and nurturing approach of Lakeside's very experienced teachers. Both our boys love school. Thank you, Lakeside team!
—Submitted by a parent

As the Kindergarten teacher at Lakeside for the last 15 years, I was very surprised to find out from the parent post of August 2009 that their child was not ready for 1st grade and had to unexpectedly repeat Kindergarten. Lakeside's Kindergarten program specifically targets children whose birthdays render them ineligble for Kindergarten placement in the private school sector. 98% of my students plan to attend Kindergarten again because of this age consideration NOT because of a lack of academic preparedness. I am responsible for all the grammar school application letters and have not filled out a 1st grade application in the last 12 years. While Lakeside's Kindergaten may not the school for every child, it is certainly a program that fosters curiosity, literacy and a love of learning in those children who are ready to be so challenged.
—Submitted by a teacher

Both my son and daughter attended Lakeside Kindergarten. We could not have been more pleased with the warm, nurturing environment that fostered a love of learning. The academics and overall curriculum (math, reading, writing, vocabulary, journals, art, etc.) were superior and appropriately challenging for the grade level, meeting each child at their own readiness ability. Working in the classroom, I could see each child receive individualized personal attention and encouragement. The program prepared them so well for grammar school, they were able to begin with a great sense of confidence in their abilities. I always recommend Lakeside Kindergarten and Preschool because our experience there was worth every penny we spent.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended this school and it has been a wonderful experience all the way through. Good, caring teachers and extended care staff and administration, very low turnover, and a focus on teaching children to take turns, listen to each other, and play well together. Both of my children had the good fortune to be part of the kindergarten program at Lakeside due to late summer birthdays. My older child repeated kindergarten at a K-8 school and my younger child will do the same next year. The class size for both of them was small (16 children for one, 13 for the other) and the kindergarten teacher is excellent. I read the negative review below of kindergarten and I have to believe the review was for another school. The kindergarten program is designed for children with late birthdays who will repeat kindergarten the following year.
—Submitted by a parent

When I first started sending my child here, I thought it would be a great fit and really give my child a tremendous education for the long wait list and price of the school. Throughout our years here, we found the teachers quite inadequate and unsatisfactory. Although the campus had nice facilities, the PK and K program were equal to a simple day care. Whenever I would bring it up to the teachers at the school, they would get defensive and say it wasn't their problem. After the Kindergarten program, my child was not ready for first grade and had to go to a grammar school and repeat Kindergarten (as did almost every child there). Now looking back, I have realized my mistake in sending my child here. I couldn't imagine their being the wait list there was. A complete waste of time and money. Do NOT send your child here.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is so happy to attend school here--a very loving environment, loads of craft and art (every day) outdoor activities and games, healthy snacks. The children learn so much in wonderful ways--all by having fun! Even the smallest of kids (2.5) participate in circle time, get 'jobs' in the class, and have loads of individual attention (22 kids, 4 full-time staff, plus 1-2 parent volunteers each day= rarely less than 1:4 ratio.) Whether you see it as a draw back or a plus, parent involvement is strongly requested (read: required).
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school! LOVE IT! When I was doing my research, I knew I wanted a Christian-based school (my daughter loves talking about chapel time with Pastor Kim) with a professional staff and a warm atmosphere. Additionally, because my children have health issues, I wanted to feel secure knowing that not only were the teachers experienced with epipens and other types of medication, but also that they would be respectful and sensitive to my family's needs. Lakeside met our needs from day one. From the director to the teachers to the playground activities coordinator, the school runs so smoothly, caring for all the girls and boys, and making sure that all parents feel welcome to become active participants in their children's preschool experiences.
—Submitted by a parent

this school might be ok if your kid can follow and catch up everything by himself without teacher's any help. if not, this is definately a school to avoid. there's no extra attention or help for kids who have a hard time to make friends or shy to express themselves on any unfair things happen around. it's a hidden secret of this school that a lot of parents agree behind the scene. and if you don't want to spend extra money for endless donation events of this school, you better think of some other school. it's not your choice to donate or not after all. you will see the bad consequences follow after all. kids only do the coloring and pasting almost whole year. majority of them can't even write an alphabet correctly after atteing this school for 2 years. this school so focus on showing only without real learning.

Our 2nd year. Lots arts&crafts, music, movement, and free-play. Classes gender balanced. Variety of toys & activities. Long time teachers manage classroom and parents well! Two teachers, 2 aides + parent volunteers per room. Kids very well supervised in class, bathroom, or in yard. School is warm and intimate. My child s very happy. Having parents in class daily exposes him to different people, and he s comfortable and confident around most adults. Bright cheery classrooms. Large playground structure, trikes, balls, art materials and toys for outside play. Large playroom for foul weather. Parents are the best. Easily enjoy chatting with most over coffee. Many return parents. One couple 13th year at Lakeside. Middle-class diverse culturally and socioeconomics. No super-rich snob. Many professions. Required volunteerism is strength & burden. Many fundraising activities, nothing heavy-handed. Well worth time, effort, and money.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful preschool with tremendous teachers who have many years of experience, yet have not lost their love for teaching nor become stuck in 'ruts.' The teachers are wonderful with handling a variety of student personalities and learning types. The school is play-based, yet the teachers do work in social preparation and academics that are expected by all the 'top' private, parochial, and public schools. The parents are quite involved within the school as the school does have requirements for participation within the classroom as well as outside of the classroom. The community at the school is really lovely. The waiting lists for the preschool classes can be long, so it is best to visit and get on the waiting list when your child is still a baby, but openings do occur in classes each year as families move from the area, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside is an amazing place. There is no better preschool in San Francisco. It's a loving environment run by an extremely competent staff. Not only do they have an excellent program and enriching curriculum, but it is the the cleanest and most organized school I have ever seen. Go see for yourself. You won't be sorry. Just one warning, there is a long waitlist and you will see why when you visit.
—Submitted by a parent