About Us

For more than sixty years, Lakeside Presbyterian Center for Children has been a joyful place for young learners to grow, play, and belong. Founded in 1961, Lakeside has deep roots in the San Francisco community and continues to be guided by the same core values that shaped our beginning: love, learning, and connection.

We are proud to be a multigenerational community, with parents and staff who were once Lakeside students themselves. The children who fill our classrooms today are part of a story that spans decades, and that sense of continuity is what makes Lakeside feel like family.

At Lakeside, we believe children learn best through play. Our teachers create inviting environments that encourage curiosity, cooperation, and discovery. Each day offers opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and express creativity, building the social-emotional confidence and independence children need for kindergarten and beyond.

We value every child as a unique individual and celebrate the moments of joy that happen when learning feels natural, meaningful, and fun.

Our community reflects the rich diversity of San Francisco. Families of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs are welcome here. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where children learn to appreciate differences, practice kindness, and develop empathy for others.

Through classroom experiences and everyday interactions, we model respect, understanding, and the importance of community, values that prepare our children to thrive in a diverse world.

Lakeside is fortunate to collaborate with specialists who enrich our programs and support the growth of every child. Our enrichment teachers bring creative experiences in areas such as art, dance, yoga, sports, and Spanish classes.

We also partner with trusted child-development professionals in our broader community, including speech, occupational, and behavioral specialists, who provide consultation and resources for families when needed. These partnerships help us ensure that each child’s social, emotional, and developmental needs are met with care and expertise.

Our Parent Volunteer Organization is at the heart of Lakeside’s community spirit. Parents contribute their time and talents in countless ways: organizing events, supporting classroom activities, and creating moments that bring families together.

Through the PVO, families build lifelong friendships while helping maintain the warmth and connection that make Lakeside special.

Lakeside Presbyterian Center for Children is a ministry of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, which has served the neighborhood for several decades. While the school operates independently and welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds, we share the church’s commitment to compassion, service, and community.

Our relationship with the church allows us to be part of something bigger, a caring, intergenerational community that values children and supports families in every season of life.

Lakeside’s story doesn’t end at graduation. Many of our alumni return as middle or high school students to volunteer, complete service hours, or simply reconnect with the teachers who once guided them. We love seeing familiar faces return to read stories, lend a hand in classrooms, and support our after-school and summer camp programs.

Our graduates go on to attend a variety of public, parochial, and private schools across the Bay Area, and many continue to private high schools. No matter where life takes them, Lakeside remains a part of who they are: their first community of learning, friendship, and belonging.

Since 1961, Lakeside has been a place where children learn not only their letters and numbers, but also how to care for one another, express their ideas, and see the beauty in the world around them. Generations of families have passed through our doors, and together, they’ve created a legacy of love, learning, and lasting community.