• 3741 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
  • +1 415-429-2008
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  • Services: Preschool, Child care agency, Elementary school, Kindergarten, Middle school
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  • Monday: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason

You’ve probably heard of Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason, the San Francisco school near the Golden Gate Bridge, but have you seen the school in action? What are its Mission, Philosophy, Values, and Student body? This article will give you a general idea of the school’s focus. Read on to learn more. Interested? Read on for an in-depth analysis of this unique educational model. Founded in 1989 by Montessori professionals, Fort Mason has grown to become a favorite of San Francisco families.

Mission

When you visit Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason, you are greeted with excitement. It’s like visiting your own children and seeing them enthused and happy. The classrooms are full of color and light. Parents drop by often, and you’ll meet students who are eager and happy to be there. Fort Mason is special. Its mission is to help children thrive and develop their intellectual and social capabilities.

The school is a member of the Academy of Thought and Industry, a network of Montessori schools that aim to create self-motivated, productive adults. Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason enrolls students in grades six through eight, and operates out of the Fort Mason Middle School campus. Located in a walkable, metro-friendly community, this school has two primary Montessori classrooms, two children’s gardens, and a large playground. Its Board of Directors is composed of parents, alumni, and staff.

The school is an authentic Montessori community school. The school directory features all schools in the Guidepost network. To find an open role at your local Guidepost Montessori, just search for your local school’s office in the directory. You will be presented with a list of all available roles in that region. Aside from Fort Mason, Guidepost is an international network of Montessori schools. To find out more about Guidepost, please visit their website. It is the largest network of Montessori schools worldwide.

Primary Montessori is made up of 15-20 students ages three to six years old. The classroom is prepared in accordance with the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale. There is a trained assistant who works alongside the primary Montessori teacher. The Primary Montessori class operates Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, and on a thirty-week school year. Primary Montessori teachers are responsible for helping children with arrival and departure, and attending periodic staff meetings and parent conferences.

Philosophy

David and Kate had two options when they first joined Fort Mason in 2001. They could either form a nonprofit or be acquired by Higher Ground Education. The latter group was able to recognize Fort Mason’s merits and wanted to help. Parents of the children in the school’s upper elementary programs urged them to join forces. Parents wanted a place that emphasized inclusion and transparency and would focus on success for all children.

Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason is the ‘village’ for parents and children. The community is full of color, light, and pictures that make visitors smile. Children learn through exploration, and a child-led, knowledge-rich environment. The child’s excitement and interest in exploring the classroom materials build a solid foundation for advanced academics. A family-centered environment supports parents in raising their children, and it is full of happiness and energy.

This school is part of the Academy of Thought and Industry network of Montessori schools. The mission of the school is to cultivate young people who are self-motivated and responsible adults. The Academy of Thought and Industry is located on the Fort Mason Middle School campus, and enrolls children in grades 6 through 8.

The philosophy of Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason is grounded in a Japanese folktale called Hikueru. The Hikueru people still sing the story about him. The philosophy of the school is rooted in mythology, and children learn to understand their place in the world. The philosophy of the school’s founder, Maria Montessori, continues to be an inspiration to modern educators. With the support of parents, children are empowered to choose their place in the world.

Values

Kate and David have been working with the Fort Mason school since 2001 and have developed many strong relationships with the families who send their children to the program. Fort Mason families look to Kate and David for guidance and support. The Guidepost community has shown great support of their work. Educators often base their decisions on the service they provide for others. The school is located near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The school is a small but vibrant community where parents are able to assemble and communicate with their teachers.

Summer camps at Guidepost Montessori are fun and educational experiences for kids of all ages. Each week’s activities revolve around a different theme. For example, summer camp at Guidepost focuses on building birdhouses, bridges, forts, and architecture. Other camp themes include science, outdoor games, and creative thinking. Each camp is unique and full of life! You will feel as though you’re visiting friends’ homes.

The approach to human development embodies the belief that a child’s potential can be realized and fulfilled. Growing up well means becoming independent, confident, happy, and secure. At Guidepost, parents and teachers become part of a village, providing a knowledge-rich environment and support for parents. The Montessori method of education emphasizes child-centered learning through carefully-sequenced materials. Children’s enthusiasm and curiosity for learning lead to a foundation that is conducive to advanced academics.

While the company is good, the management and administration are not. There are problems in the program, unequal pay, and no flexibility. Staff members are disposable and often unqualified. This is a sign of poor management at Guidepost. And yet, the school has good intentions and has become a national leader in childcare. So, how can parents find out what Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason values? Just ask yourself these questions:

Student body

The new name for Fort Mason Elementary School is appropriate, given its history, location, and philosophy. Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason combines the pedagogy of Guidepost with AltSchool, a blended learning environment that encourages child-led learning. Students develop social and emotional skills while supporting their natural curiosity. Teachers encourage children to explore their world with enthusiasm and are committed to helping each child thrive. The student body of Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason is composed of both new and returning students.

The school serves infants through eighth-grade students. The student-teacher ratio ranges from three to seven students per classroom for infants, eight to 12 in the Children’s House, and 25-1 in the elementary and middle school. Tuition is around $1,900 per month for each child. The school serves a population of approximately 190 students. It is open to students in grades three through eight, as well as students from nearby areas.

For families living in the area, Guidepost has two campuses. The Emeryville location serves families in the Bay Area, while the Fort Mason campus serves those in Northern California. In addition to the Fort Mason campus, there are campuses in the foothill ranch and copper hill. Aside from Emeryville, Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason serves families in Mill Valley, Foothill Ranch, and Copper Hill. The San Francisco campus is the largest, serving children from Emeryville to Oakland.

Faculty

When the school opened in January, there were two choices: start a nonprofit or be acquired by Higher Ground Education, which was impressed with the AltSchool’s upper elementary programs. Fort Mason, whose mission is to serve parents and students, chose the latter route. The two companies both appreciated the school’s mission and wanted to collaborate with the school, and Fort Mason’s parents were eager to assemble. Fort Mason’s leadership chose the latter option, choosing a partner with a proven track record of success and a focus on inclusion and transparency.

Visitors are welcomed at the school with a sense of excitement. As parents, it’s like visiting a friend. It’s full of color and light and is bursting with cheerful students and faculty members. Upon entering the school, students and faculty are joyful, bouncy, and happy. Their energy is contagious and infectious, and the environment is truly magical. For this reason, parents and students alike love the environment at Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason.

The Fort Mason community has shown support for Kate and David’s efforts as Head of School. Both have worked with the school since 2001, and have forged strong relationships with the families that attend the Fort Mason campus. They also find great support amongst the faculty and community at Guidepost. As educators, we tend to base our decisions on service to others. So David and Kate have received much encouragement from the Guidepost community during the course of their journey.

The school’s mission is to provide a safe, knowledge-rich environment that supports parents and children. The parents’ village at Guidepost is designed to provide the support they need to raise their children well. With a child-led approach, Guidepost is a place for parents and the child to learn. This approach to education fosters a child’s eager exploration of materials that lead to advanced academics. The students’ eagerness to learn builds a strong foundation, and parents can feel confident that their child is in a safe, nurturing environment.