Wise Forest Preschool

• Honesty & trust▲
• Staff & attitude▲
• Communication▲

Our son started at this Forest School in Golden Gate Park as a toddler, and he just graduated on to kindergarten this fall. Watching him grow up there has been one of the great joys of early parenthood, and I don't say that lightly. From day one, we never worried leaving him in their care. He loved his teachers, felt completely safe, and that security gave him room to blossom. He didn't just learn outdoors, he fell in love with it. He grew into a genuinely kind, respectful kid with real empathy for others, including a sweet instinct to look after the younger children in his group. He's heading into kindergarten reading and doing math above grade level, but honestly, the academics feel almost secondary to who he's become as a person. If you're looking for a place to give your child a loving, grounded foundation before they enter a traditional classroom, this school is exactly that. On top of all that, this school was just wonderful to work with as parents. Communication was always clear and consistent, whether it was day-to-day updates or bigger conversations, and we always felt like a true partner in our son's growth, not just a bystander. We're so grateful for our time there. -Erick and Lyli Wilkinson

• Would recommend▲
• Quality & results▲

Resilience building? Check. Inclusive environment? Check. Classroom outside? Check. I appreciate the level of independence that the teachers give the students, the lesson plans that reflect on our current lives and not based on memorization, and space for the kids to critically think. I always highly recommend to any parent who is the slightest bit interested and hilariously, to those who are not. Shout out to Teacher Kayla and Teacher Janet for the outstanding experience given to my 2 and 4 year old.

• Staff & attitude▲
• Would recommend▲

Very good experience! Teachers are so kind and supportive of all ages and levels of attachment and potty training. Part time options so nice to find! Highly recommend if you’re looking for outdoor education.

• Staff & attitude▲

• Faye

We sent my 2.5 year old daughter here for only 1 week this summer while her normal daycare was closed, and oh how my heart is torn! We love our normal daycare, but we now also love Wise Forest Preschool. After only 1 week, my daughter was so much more curious and asked to go on walks and is much more confident in her climbing. Even now, weeks later, my daughter still raves about "camp" and says that Teacher Faye is her "best teacher". The recap emails were so special and the staff was so patient and supportive, especially when I was running late one day. We have had many friends attend Wise and I hope we can go again soon!

• Staff & attitude▲

• Faye

This summer, my four-year-old daughter attended Wise Forest for three weeks because there were several weeks in between when her preschool ended and her summer camp began. What I had initially seen as a way to bridge a gap in her summer turned out to be one of the best educational experiences she has had. Wise Forest is a truly special program. The teachers are warm, welcoming, and able to connect with the children in a way that makes them feel seen and understood. The teachers' enthusiasm and knowledge help the children appreciate Golden Gate Park for the wonderland it is. Within one day, my daughter was able to identify several plants and animals that we must have passed countless times during our own walks in the park but never noticed. She also developed much more confidence in using her body during the course of the three weeks. She started climbing trees, balancing and jumping off logs, and walking/running further than she ever has before. The program provides wonderful fuel for the imagination. The children come up with so many scenes and scenarios to act out- scouting for aliens in the woods, making up songs, building homes for fairies, creating hot tubs out of openings in a tree stump, making pizzas and pancakes out of dirt, and far more. I am particularly grateful to Faye and the teachers for the sensitivity and kindness they showed my daughter and our family during a difficult time. A family member passed away during our time at Wise Forest, and the Wise Forest team gave my daughter the space and support she needed to process her feelings. It was the perfect place for her to have been as she dealt with the loss. Whether you are looking to enroll your child on a week-to-week basis during the summer or as an on-going student, this program is a gem. I could not recommend it more!

What a magical place! We are so grateful to have found Wise Forest for our son. He loves spending time with the community. It has impacted him in such a profound way in how he relates to nature.

Great for people in wheelchairs

• Tina

Our son went to Wise Forest for 2.5 yrs full time. He can now identify different plants, mushrooms, and insects. Most importantly, the teachers and environment have supported him to be autonomous, inquisitive, and cooperative. His adjustment to kindergarten has been amazing, and a big part of that was because of forest school. The different age ranges were special because when he started, he was one of the younger kids and had other kids to look up to. Near the end, he was one of the older kids so the roles switched and he was able to teach and help the younger kids. We can't say enough about how wonderful all the teachers are. Teacher Tina got to know our son the whole time he was there, and we are so grateful for her time with him, she always knew what support/challenge he needed. I will miss picking him up at this beautiful spot in the park, it always felt like I got to experience a bit of nature in my day at dropoff and pickup. Thank you Wise Forest for being a special part of a precious time in our son and family's life.

• Staff & attitude▲
• Communication▲

• Tina
• Faye

Both my son and daughter attended Wise Forest and it’s the best preschool I could have ever hoped for! Incredible staff who are patient, kind, and loving. It’s like they became part of our family! Even after my son was diagnosed with autism, they encouraged me to bring him with his aid to school and continue to participate. My daughter grew so much with her class and developed so much independence and empathy. We absolutely LOVE teacher Tina who I have become great friends with and teacher Faye who was so communicative and kind. Wish I could give 10 stars!

• Quality & results▲

• Tina
• Mara
• Faye

Wise Forest Preschool is amazing — the teachers (Teacher Tina, Teacher Ana) are incredible, they are in one of the nicest parts of Golden Gate Park, and their leadership (Teacher Mara and Teacher Faye) is top notch. The kids learn about nature and socialization in natural settings, rain or shine. Our kids love it and the teachers send a summary email each day with the best pictures of the days adventures with all the children.