New School San Francisco

What New School San Francisco does

New School San Francisco is a tuition-free public charter school serving approximately 470 students across transitional kindergarten through 8th grade from all corners of San Francisco. Authorized by the California State Board of Education in March 2015 and re-authorized in January 2020, it is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 47-1102256) led by Co-Founders and Executive Directors Emily Bobel Kilduff and Ryan Chapman, and is governed by an independent board. A unique provision in its re-authorization requires that at least 50% of kindergarten enrollment qualify for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM), making it the only public school in San Francisco with such an equity floor.

The school's core product is its inquiry-based TK-8 program, built on a proprietary Inquiry Arc framework running 6-8 week cycles through three phases — Exploration, Expression, and Exposition — aligned to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Supporting modules include Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) co-created with families, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) for math, a co-teaching model (Lead Teachers supported by Teaching Associates, Resident Teachers, and Academic Interventionists), the Diverse Learners Program (special education/IEP services delivered with Seneca Family of Agencies), the Exploremos after-school program, and Specialist instruction in Spanish, Art, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Dance, and Music. The Inquiry Arc was developed in partnership with the Exploratorium's Institute for Inquiry and is supported by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative funding under the Inquiry for All initiative, with racial literacy curriculum integrated via Pollyanna.

The business model combines California per-pupil charter funding (charter schools receive approximately $3,000 less per student than SFUSD schools, while program costs run approximately $8,000 per student above state public funding) with philanthropic contributions from anchor investors (William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation; Arthur Rock), leadership investors (NewSchools Venture Fund, Charter Schools Growth Fund, Silicon Schools Fund, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), and corporate supporters (Apple, Google, Salesforce, Intel, Netflix). The annual Magic Fund fundraiser targets $300,000 to bridge the funding gap. Admission is lottery-based via SchoolMint, with sibling and FRPM preferences, and enrolled students remain through 8th grade without re-lottery. The school has been designated a high-performing school by the State of California for two consecutive years and ranked among the top 5 Bay Area schools by Niche.

Name

New School San Francisco

Legal name

New School of San Francisco

Website

https://newschoolsf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New School San Francisco is a tuition-free, nonprofit TK-8 public charter school in San Francisco serving approximately 470 students through an inquiry-based, equity-focused program built on a proprietary Inquiry Arc curriculum, Individualized Learning Plans, and a co-teaching model. It is funded by California per-pupil allocations supplemented by philanthropic donations and admits families through a public lottery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF), Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• Inquiry-based learning
• TK-8 public education
• Personalized learning plans
• Special education services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: Public charter school receives per-pupil funding from the state of California based on average daily attendance. However, charter schools receive $3,000 less per student than SFUSD schools as they are not eligible for certain revenue streams.
2. Annual Fundraising (Magic Fund): Annual fundraiser to bridge the gap between state public funding and actual program costs. Program costs $8,000 per student more than state public funding. 2024-25 goal: $300,000.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

New School San Francisco is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade in San Francisco. The school delivers inquiry-based, student-centered education using an Inquiry Arc framework (Exploration, Expression, Exposition) aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, supplemented by Individualized Learning Plans, the Diverse Learners special education program, the Exploremos after-school care program, and specialist instruction in Spanish, Art, PE, Dance, and Music. Admission is managed via a public random lottery through the SchoolMint platform, with sibling and FRPM preferences.

Product overview

New School San Francisco is a single TK-8 public charter school offering a unified educational program built around inquiry-based, personalized learning. The core product is its tuition-free charter school education serving grades TK-8, enhanced by specialized modules including the Exploremos after school program, Diverse Learners special education services, Inquiry Arc curriculum, Individualized Learning Plans for personalization, and Specialist subject programs in Spanish, Art, PE, Dance, and Music. The school operates as a cohesive whole where these components integrate to deliver holistic 21st century education aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TK-8 Public Charter School Education Tuition-free public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 8th grade, focused on inquiry-based, student-centered learning with emphasis on equity and personalized education. Approximately 470 students enrolled.
• Exploremos After School Program After school care program providing enriching activities and care for children enrolled in the program at New School San Francisco.
• Diverse Learners Program (Special Education Services) Special education services providing supports for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), including Learning Specialists, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, counseling, and instructional aides.
• Specialized Subject Programs Specialist instruction including Spanish language (K-4), Art, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Dance, and Music programs at various grade levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Designated as a high performing school by the state of California
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ExploratoriumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring institution whose Institute for Inquiry partners with New School SF on the Inquiry for All initiative. Inspired the school's inquiry arc framework.
• Seneca Family of AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for special education service delivery, resource sharing, guidance, and compliance oversight for the Diverse Learners Program.
• El Dorado County Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter SELPA membership providing special education oversight, guidance, and compliance oversight. New School SF operates as a Local Education Agency (LEA) within this SELPA.
• PlayworkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting play and physical activity programming at the school.
• UCLA Lab SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing resources and best practices sharing for 21st century learning.
• Pollyanna (Racial Literacy Curriculum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of Racial Literacy Curriculum integrated into inquiry arcs to ensure all community members develop racial literacy and become anti-racist change agents.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Citizens of the World Charter Schools: CWC operates tuition-free public charter schools in California (LA) and other states serving diverse-by-design student bodies with a similar equity and inclusion framework. Comparable as a charter operator with intentional integration, social-emotional learning emphasis, and similar philanthropic donor profile.
• Aspire Public Schools: Aspire is a California-based charter management organization operating TK-12 schools across multiple regions with a college-prep mission and similar equity focus. Direct peer: similar tuition-free public charter K-8/12 model, per-pupil funding, and philanthropic supplement strategy.
• Rocketship Public Schools: Rocketship operates tuition-free public charter elementary schools serving predominantly low-income students of color in California and beyond. Direct peer: similar equity mission, K-5/8 charter model, blended learning approach, and reliance on philanthropic bridge funding to support personalized instruction.
• Summit Public Schools: Summit operates Bay Area public charter schools (TK-12) with a personalized learning platform and similar Silicon Valley donor base (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative among backers). Comparable on tuition-free charter structure, personalized learning pedagogy, and high-profile Bay Area philanthropic support.
• KIPP Northern California: KIPP Northern California operates a network of tuition-free public charter schools serving K-12 students across the Bay Area, including Oakland and San Francisco. Direct comparison: similar charter K-8 model, equity-focused mission, lottery admission, per-pupil funding structure, and reliance on philanthropic gap funding.
• Green Dot Public Schools California: Green Dot operates public charter schools in California (Los Angeles and beyond) serving primarily low-income and historically underserved students. Comparable as a charter operator with equity-driven enrollment mandates, blended model of charter and turnaround schools, and dependence on philanthropy to bridge funding gaps.
• Envision Schools: Envision Schools operated Bay Area public charter high schools (now largely closed/transferred) with a similar inquiry-based, portfolio-assessment approach. Comparable on Bay Area charter footprint, inquiry pedagogy, and equity focus, though grade band differs.

Others

• NewSchools Venture Fund: NewSchools Venture Fund is a major education-focused venture philanthropy that backs innovative public schools and edtech. Comparable as an ecosystem/financial partner: NSSF is one of its portfolio schools, and the fund actively publishes on intentionally-diverse charter school design.

Emerging players

• Ednovate Charter Schools: Ednovate operates small public charter high schools in Los Angeles serving first-generation college students. Emerging player: similar college-prep, equity-focused charter model and per-pupil funding structure, though focused on high school rather than TK-8.

Broad incumbents

• San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD): SFUSD is the local public school district that NSSF's charter competes with for students, families, and per-pupil funding (SFUSD receives $3,000 more per student). Broad incumbent: same geography, same grade band, but a much larger district operator rather than a single charter.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NewSchoolSF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-new-school-of-san-francisco
• Instagraminstagram.com/newschoolsf

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New School San Francisco