This is an exciting year for CDS, as the school builds a state of the art middle school at 601 Dolores Street in a beautiful building with stunning views of Dolores Park. The classrooms, arts and performance spaces planned for 601 Dolores will allow us to expand our program to bring life-changing academic and social benefits to current and future students, and to improve the learning environment for all CDS students. The new space will support our growth to two sections per grade through eighth grade, and expand our outdoor farm, garden and play spaces for students at our current campus.

As the school embarks on this exciting project, the founding values of CDS, which recognize that intellectual, social and emotional growth are interdependent, will remain at the heart of the CDS education. These values are visible in the daily life of CDS students who experience:

• A learning environment that is constructed to deliver engaging and rigorous academics in a way that makes school fun and interesting. Through project-based learning, students tackle a challenging academic curriculum in ways that are meaningful and fun. Our curriculum is further enhanced by music, art, Spanish, theater and our farm and garden.
• Great teachers. At CDS we know that great teachers are the heart and soul of a great school. Using methodologies such as Responsive Classroom, our teachers foster the best intellectual and social instincts of each student.
• A diverse community and an inclusive culture. We are committed to constructing a school that reflects the racial, ethnic, economic and family diversity of San Francisco. A diverse school community is essential to excellent education.
• A culture of uniqueness. We believe in the power of each child’s own unique gifts and talents. We do not strive for sameness – there is no formulaic “CDS student.” Instead, we give each child the support and encouragement to become his or her own unique self.

Can such a school also maximize academic achievement? We are showing the answer is a resounding “yes.” And our students’ standardized test scores and high school placements back up that answer.

I invite you to explore our website and learn more about our school community, and I look forward to meeting you at one of our school tours.

Molly Huffman
Head of School