The Forest School

Our Teachers

The Forest School was founded and is run by Sumer Schulze. I have over 10 years of teaching an administrative experience. I am a true nature enthusiast and want to spread my love of the natural world! I am also a mother to a rambunctious and curious 6 year old that attends a nature Kindergarten. I spend my free time hiking, camping and exploring San Francisco!

To read more about our philosophy please visit our main website:

www.forestcooperative.com

Testimonials

Our daughter loves The Forest School and talks a lot about Sumer, Marnie, and Susie. We have seen her development go through the roof since she started the program: mobility, speech, socialization… Even though she was among the youngest, the teachers created a safe and open environment so she could thrive, she is now more talkative than ever, filled with confidence, and is able to focus on tasks independently. She has enjoyed the benefit of being in a mixed age group where everyone has a place. - Rachel

Philosophy

The Forest School of San Francisco is a proud member of The California Association of Forest Schools.  We are a nature preschool that operates out of Sigmund Stern Grove Park. We are a fully outdoor program that spends our days exploring the bounty that Stern Grove offers including Pine Lake, The Concert Meadow, and many amazing hiking trails!

To read more about our philosophy please visit:

www.forestcooperative.com

Location

The Forest School is located within Stern Grove.

We provide a mobile atelier also known as art area (for expressing emotions and ideas), literacy nook, and plenty of children led nature exploration.

Children will spend all of the day outdoors at Stern Grove. Connecting with nature lets children gain deeper knowledge of themselves and the world around them.

About our program

We are a play based program that respects each child as a unique individual. We draw inspiration from the Waldorf method,R.I.E parenting philosophy and the Reggio approach. We encourage our children to be independent, critical , creative thinkers.Through nature immersion, stimulating situations and hands-on learning opportunities, the children form a deep connection with the environment and natural world around them. We believe that children thrive in an environment which values their own uniqueness, while providing support and opportunities to grow emotionally, socially and creatively. By building on each child’s strengths, interests and curiosities, we guide each child to explore the world around them as well as develop new abilities and form close relationships with each other and nature.​

The Forest School is committed to providing high quality programs to all families regardless of income and we follow an equity based tuition model. Please see below for tuition cost.

Tuition is based on income.​

150,000.00 and Above:

16,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 1,600.00

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​90,000 -100,00:

14,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 1,400.00​

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80,000-90,000:

13,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 1,300.00

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70,000-80,000:

12,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 1,200.00​

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60,000-70,000:

10,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 1,000.00

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Below 60,000.00

9,000 a year divided into 10 payments of 900.00

Admissions

Join the The Forest School community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family. Please visit www.forestcooperative.com

2. Schedule a Time to Chat

Please send an email and I will schedule a time to chat and learn more about your family!

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application!

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.