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Affording CDS

Children's Day School families have made the financial stretch for an independent school education, because they know that CDS provides:

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • Strong academics

    We are committed to preparing our graduates for their futures. In our unpredictable and technology-driven world, students need to learn more than facts. They need to learn how to investigate with curiosity, navigate conflict with compassion, use data strategically, and engage meaningfully in their communities. The future-focused curriculum at CDS prioritizes the development of these skills in the context of learning meaningful, relevant content.

    Prioritizing skill development sets learners up for a lifetime of learning. Our graduates leave us with a toolbox of durable learning skills that can be applied across new contexts in high school and beyond to continue to explore and unlock new learning. Learn more.

  • An unparalleled environmental education program anchored by our unique working farm and organic garden

    CDS students are grounded in the natural world and working toward a more sustainable future, inspired by life-changing experiences in our on-campus Farm and Garden. In their early years, students learn to care for the plants and animals that live on our campus, discovering the science behind how things grow and what animals need. As students grow, this foundation expands into an in-depth Food & Agricultural Sciences program, where middle schoolers deepen their understanding of environmental and biological science through hands-on experiential learning.

  • An enriched program with art, music, drama, and physical education

    Weekly art and music classes nurture creativity and curiosity, drama classes in the middle school build confidence on- and off-stage, and physical education teaches students not just healthy habits but also key skills like collaboration and leadership.

  • An unrivaled school culture

    CDS is a safe place to be yourself, where students master social competencies that serve them well in high school and in adult life, and where parents are viewed as true partners in the important responsibility of educating children.
At CDS, we are committed to making our school accessible and affordable to families from a broad range of economic circumstances, and we are a leader in socioeconomic diversity among San Francisco independent elementary schools. We devote approximately 20% of our operating budget to sliding scale tuition ($4.2 million for 2024-25), an unprecedented financial commitment. 27% of our enrolled students are paying sliding scale tuition.

Our sliding scale tuition is strictly need-based and recognizes that each family's financial situation is unique. While every family is expected to pay some portion of the tuition and to support the community to the extent that individual family circumstances permit, we do not expect tuition to be the same for everyone.

Our sliding scale tuition application process is separate from, but completed simultaneously with, our admission process, so that families who have applied for sliding scale tuition are notified of their tuition amount at the same time as the admission decision, allowing them to make informed choices.
We are committed to making CDS accessible and affordable to families from a broad range of economic circumstances.

Children's Day School

Preschool-Grade 8
333 Dolores Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Children's Day School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  Learn More
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