Admissions Process.

Get Ready for the 2026 - 2027 School Year: Applications Now Open!

The Dahlia Schools of San Francisco are authentic Montessori, Spanish-immersion, and culturally rich learning communities currently serving children from 18 months through 12 years of age.

We understand that choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. That’s why we are committed to providing families with the information, guidance, and resources they need to make informed and confident choices. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Complete an Application (Required)

We are committed to making our admissions process accessible to all families, which is why we do not charge an application fee.

As part of our equity-based approach, we invite families who can contribute to consider making a voluntary donation to support our programs. Every contribution helps us continue creating an inclusive and nurturing Montessori Spanish Immersion community for all children.

We encourage families to apply early by our General Admissions deadline of January 9, 2026. When completing your application, please indicate the earliest date you would like your child to begin. This ensures that your application will remain valid for the following school year, even if space is not immediately available.

2. View our Online Info Session (Recommended)

To help you learn more about The Dahlia Schools and what sets us apart, view our online information session. These sessions will provide you with insights into our curriculum, teaching philosophy, extracurricular activities, and the exceptional learning environment we offer.

3. School Tours (Recommended)

We understand that visiting our school campuses is an important part of the decision-making process. We are pleased to offer school tours, providing you with a firsthand experience of our facilities and the warm atmosphere at The Dahlia Schools.

During your visit, you’ll be guided on a Silent Journey Tour through our classrooms, where you can quietly observe each environment and imagine the experience through a child’s eyes. Along the way, Alejandra Tryon, Founder and Director of our Early Childhood Campus, will share insights about each classroom and answer your questions. Tours are designed for adults only, though babies in arms are always welcome.

Tours are offered on Friday mornings from 8:15 to 10:00 am, monthly from October through May. Select your preferred date and register to join us.

4. Interviews (Required)

All families are required to complete a new admissions interview for each child applying to The Dahlia Schools for the upcoming year. Invitations will be sent once applications are received, and please note that interviews are by invitation only.

We kindly ask parents to attend the interview with their child. This gives your child a chance 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 as a warm, thoughtful conversation between school and family—an important step in beginning a strong and supportive partnership.

Families of Elementary applicants who accept rolling or early admission offers will also receive sibling priority for younger children applying to our Early Childhood program. In addition, these families may have the opportunity to interview and receive admissions decisions ahead of the standard General Admissions timeline, depending on the same factors outlined above.

5. Customized Tuition

We believe every child should have access to an excellent education, regardless of a family’s financial means. Our goal is for at least two-thirds of our families to receive some form of financial support.

We encourage families with household incomes of $356,000 or less, as well as those with extenuating circumstances, to apply for financial aid. Requests for customized tuition should be submitted by February for first-round applicants, as this is when the majority of financial aid is allocated.

ELFA Scholarship (for children four and younger)
The Dahlia School is a proud member of the Early Learning For All (ELFA) program, which provides scholarships for children ages four and under who live in San Francisco. Eligibility is based on household income—approximately $152,000 per year or less for a family of five (the threshold increases with household size). Families who meet this criteria must apply for and receive their scholarship through ELS.

Dahlia Scholars
For students older than four years or families who do not live in San Francisco, The Dahlia Schools offer additional tuition assistance through our Dahlia Scholars program. This program supports families with household incomes between approximately $152,000 (for a family of four) and $356,000, as well as those who may not qualify for ELS. Tax returns are required by February 15, 2025, for all Dahlia Scholars applicants, including currently enrolled families.

6. Application Deadlines

We encourage all applicants to submit their applications by January 9, 2026. Admissions decisions will be sent out by March.

Please note the following:

  • Most customized tuition budgets are allocated during this period.

  • Elementary applicants may complete the application process and receive admissions decisions as early as this Fall.

7. Reach Out to Us

If you have any questions about the application process, information sessions, or anything related to The Dahlia Schools, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions Team at hello@thedahliaschoolsf.org or (415) 851-5024. We are here to support you every step of the way.

We look forward to welcoming both new and returning families to The Dahlia Schools for the 2026–2027 school year. Together, we will continue to create a nurturing and enriching environment where students can thrive—academically, socially, and personally.

Thank you for being part of our wonderful community. We’re 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.”
— Nic B.