FAQ

The International Baccalaureate-Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) and Middle Years Programm (IB-MYP) is designed for children ages 3 to 16 years. La Scuola follows a rigorous inquiry-based curriculum within the IB framework, which fosters critical thinking, exploration and discovery. Please refer to the International Baccalaureate Programme website here.

The community is made up of many nationalities and also reflects the diversity within San Francisco and Silicon Valley in regards to family composition and ethnicity. Some families are Italian nationals or have Italian heritage; others are simply fans of Italy and Italian culture. In fact, only 17% of our families have at last one Italian speaker at home. 

Certain families choose La Scuola for its language immersion and Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to teaching.

• Piccoli & Piccolissimi: 2-3 years (age 2 by September 1)
• Grandi: 3-4 years (age 3 by September 1)
• Grandissimi/Pre-K: 4-5 years (age 4 by September 1)

La Scuola has had a direct connection to Reggio Children and the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, where this approach originated. We send teachers to the study groups in Reggio Emilia, Italy every year. Outside of the city of Reggio Emilia, when this approach is employed it is called Reggio Emilia ‘inspired’.

Social constructivists believe that people use what they already know and understand to make sense of new knowledge and experiences. Social constructivism is a progressive method of education that allows for children to create their own theories and construct knowledge from peers, teachers, and their environment by being supported through a series of practices such as pedagogy of listening and observing, collaboration, and documentation. Theorists that greatly contributed to this method of education are Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Brunner.

• Learning must be authentic and appropriate for children's current level of development. Because constructing meaning is a process of building on what children already know and understand, children learn best when experiences reflect what is happening in the real world and capitalize on their prior knowledge.
• The shift is towards a teacher who is a "guide on the side", not a "sage on the stage". Constructivists know that carefully orchestrating an environment that fosters students' curiosity leads to real learning where simple transmission of knowledge does not.
• Children learn best when they are problem solvers and problem posers. That means that teachers will guide students' intellectual development by posing problems for students to investigate as well as empower students to satisfy their own curiosities by pursuing their own inquiries.
• The goal of learning is no longer simply the acquisition of knowledge, but rather the acquisition of knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding.
• Taking the time for reflection on what students are doing or learning is essential to the construction of meaning.
• Students' communication with each other and with adults is one of the best ways to encourage construction of meaning. The different perspectives that peers offer during this social interaction allows them to refine and deepen their understandings.
• All of these facts mean that the process of constructing meaning is a very active process of thinking.

Applications are due on or before January 15, 2023. Please see the Admissions Process page for admissions steps, by age.

Yes! Applications will be considered if space is available.  Please email Admissions to inquire.  

Absolutely! We are an international community with over 30 languages spoken in the homes of our families.  

Yes! We would consider an application if space is available.

When families live too far away to attend in person the steps which are part of the admissions process, we would conduct them via Zoom.

Children must be 2 years old by September 1 in order to attend.

Children within the 2 - 3 year-old age range do not need to be potty learned to enter preschool.

As part of the admissions season, we offer families several opportunities to visit our campuses, attend information sessions, parent education series and parent-hosted receptions.  For a complete list of tours and events, please visit our Tours and Events page.

Yes! We would be happy to provide a list of families for you to get in touch with.  Please reach out to admissions@lascuolasf.org.