Admissions Process
2027 - 2028 School Year: Applications Now Open!
The Dahlia School is a nonprofit, authentic Montessori school with a Spanish-immersion program, serving children from 18 months through 6 years of age.
We understand that choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. We are committed to giving families the information, guidance, and resources they need to make an informed and confident choice.
Here’s what you need to know about our admissions process:
1. Complete an Application (Required)
As part of our commitment to equity and accessibility, we strive to make our admissions process accessible to all families. For this reason, we DO NOT charge an application fee.
Families who are able to contribute are warmly invited to make a voluntary donation to help support the admissions process and the resources involved in welcoming new families to our community.
Please be sure to submit your application by our General Admissions deadline: January 15, 2027.
Please note: All families must complete an application, including families participating in the ELFA program. Participation in ELFA does not replace the application requirement.
2.School Tours (Recommended)
We understand that visiting our campus is an important part of choosing the right school for your child. We are pleased to offer school tours, giving families the opportunity to experience our classrooms, environment, and the warm community of The Dahlia School firsthand.
Tours are offered Friday mornings from 8:15–9:15 am, September through February. Please select your preferred date and register to join us.
3. Interviews (Required)
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to interview every applicant. For this reason, interviews are by invitation only, based on the number of spaces we anticipate having available for the 2027–2028 school year. Interview invitations will be sent in late January.
We kindly ask parents to attend the interview with their child. This gives your child an opportunity to enjoy a first visit to the school while allowing us to get to know your family and learn more about your child’s unique qualities.
The interview is designed to be a warm and thoughtful conversation between the school and family—an important step in beginning a strong and supportive partnership.
4. ELFA Program & Customized Tuition
We believe every child should have access to an excellent education, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Families at The Dahlia School may access tuition support through the following programs:
Early Learning For All (ELFA) Program
The Dahlia School is proud to participate in the Early Learning For All (ELFA) program. Through this program, the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood provides free and low-cost preschool and childcare to eligible San Francisco families.
We kindly ask families to apply to ELFA first and only apply to Dahlia Scholars if they are not eligible for the ELFA program.
Dahlia Scholars
The Dahlia School offers financial assistance through the Dahlia Scholars program to families who are not eligible for the ELFA program. This program supports families with household incomes between approximately up to $325,000 for a family of four.
Families applying for Dahlia Scholars should plan to file their taxes early, as tax returns are required by February 26, 2027, for all Dahlia Scholars applicants, including currently enrolled families.
Sibling Discount
Families who pay full tuition and have multiple children enrolled at The Dahlia School receive an automatic 5% sibling discount on the lowest tuition.
5. Deadlines
Admissions Applications: January 15, 2027
ELFA Program and Dahlia Scholars: February 26, 2027
6. Waitlist
The Dahlia School DOES NOT maintain a multiyear waitlist. Families who do not receive an offer for the 2027–2028 school year will be placed on the waitlist for that admissions cycle.
If your family remains interested in The Dahlia School for the following school year, you will need to submit anew application for the 2028–2029 school year when the admissions cycle opens in September 2027.
7. Timeline
Application period: September 2026 - January 2027
Financial assistance application: September 2026 - February 2027
Interviews by invitation only: Late January - Late February 2027
Admissions offers extended: March 2027
Students start date: August 2027
8. Reach Out to Us
If you have any questions about the application process or anything related to The Dahlia School, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions Team at hello@thedahliaschoolsf.org or (415) 375-5700. We are here to support you every step of the way.
We look forward to welcoming both new and returning families to The Dahlia School for the 2027–2028 school year. Together, we will continue to create a nurturing and enriching environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Thank you for being part of our wonderful community. We are excited to begin this journey with you!
“We’ve been involved with the school since the inception, so we have had a significant amount of experience. To say our experience has been amazing would be an understatement.”
