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San Francisco, CA
Circle of Friends
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Cow Hollow · Telephone: (415) 345-9184 · Website: www.circleoffriendssf.com
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.7) | 
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year | 
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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source:
Director's Comments
We meet parents at the door during drop off and pick up and have an open door policy. Handouts are distributed about activities/projects taking place in class. Emails are a practical way for us to communicate with parents as well as by phone before and after school. We hold parent teacher conferences in the spring.We cannot make the decision for the parents. We are advisors and offer our expertise and guidance regarding elementary schools.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (3.9) |
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Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
source:
Director's Comments
We prefer that parents stay for the first half hour of class during the first week of class. This is essential for the 2.5 - 3.5 year olds to develop a sense of routine and trust.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Circle of Friends is an incredible program offering a nurturing, loving environment balanced with a very successful base of pre-K learning which takes place through art, music, and French. Discipline is gentle yet thorough teaching children respect for themselves, their peers and adults. My son has thrived in this program where structure provides confidence and security knowing 'what comes next' in his school day, and he has already successfully begun to use the invaluable tools his teachers provide him in his daily life.
Parent #2
There is a once a year parent-teacher conference.
Parent #3
The separation process was not a huge issue for my 2 daughters, but we were welcome to stay until they felt comfortable if it was difficult. Other parents did the same.
Parent #4
Circle of Friends is a very small school and as such is able to treat each case/child individually. Separation issues, learning progression, discipline, achievements are discussed as they occur. I really feel I am kept well informed of my son's experience at school. The Director is always open to one-on-one conversation either in person or over the phone and these mini-meetings really keep me on top of how he's doing. Our experience at Circle of Friends has been that it is just an extension of our home environment.
Parent #5
Circle of Friends is a very small school so some of your more structured questions don't apply. That doesn't mean the school is not strong in that area. For example, the school doesn't have or necessarily need a board.
Parent #6
The preschool director respects and works directly with children to acknowledge their feelings if there is separation anxiety, rather than having parents stay in the classroom, which in cases may aggravate the situation.
Parent #7
The teachers use slang in their communicating. For example they discipline the children for "spacing out". Since children at this age are very "literal" it is difficult for them to understand the expectations of the teacher.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.5) |
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Parents:
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Encourage play dates out of school
- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We may visit the classroom on a pre-scheduled basis although this is not encouraged. Any 'check-ups' on our children are preferred through meetings, phone calls or talking to the teachers directly, not through in-room observation.
Parent #2
There are occasional, optional, semi-social events such as kindergarten information night, wine and cheese fundraiser, end of year picnic, etc., but usually if there is something people see it as a good way to get together since not everyone is at every drop off pick up.
Parent #3
Get the parent together for socials.
Parent #4
Is made up of an open-minded, thoughtful, loving, generous group of parents who care deeply about the emotional, social and physical development of all of the children at Circle of Friends. We are all supportive of the school, the teachers and Michelle's (director) commitment to our children.
Parent #5
There are occasional, optional, semi-social events such as kindergarten information night, wine and cheese fundraiser etc, but usually if there is something people see it as a good way to get together since not everyone is at every drop off pick up.
Parent #6
All very informally
Parent #7
None
Parent #8
We had 2 parent potlucks w/o children. One was a welcome in the Fall; the other was to resolve issues related to a parent complaint about the school.
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Two or More Regular Conferences
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The school is very small (10 in the class) and so you have a lot of time to chat at drop off and pick up, however if you/they were concerned and wanted more privacy informal meetings could be scheduled at will.
Parent #2
They are available in any way - parents can reach out and they are very responsive.
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