Tuition

Tuition for the 2025-2026 school year is $35,604 ($2,967/month) and is set by the Board of Directors each February.

Pacific Primary uses the services of Ravenna Tuition Management platform to offer three different payment options: 1) Pay in Full, 2) Semi-Annually, or 3) 12 Payments. All initial tuition payments are due at the start of September. 

At Pacific Primary, your tuition directly supports the caring teachers and enriching environment that make our program special. It covers staff compensation, classroom materials, meals, facility upkeep, and safety requirements—ensuring high-quality programming and a nurturing space for children to learn and grow. 

The Importance of Giving

Supporting the Pacific Primary Experience

 

At Pacific Primary, our mission is to provide a joyful, inclusive, and high-quality early childhood education that is accessible to working families from a wide range of backgrounds.

While tuition covers the majority of our operating expenses, as a nonprofit preschool we rely on community support to bring the full Pacific Primary experience to life. 

Each year, our Fund for All campaign provides essential support beyond tuition revenue, enabling us to deliver the full breadth and quality of our comprehensive program. Through this effort, we are able to invest in what matters most: our children, our teachers, and our values.

Tuition Assistance

At our school, we believe that a high-quality early education should be accessible to all families, regardless of income.

We offer tuition assistance to help make our program more affordable for families who demonstrate financial need.

Awards are based on a confidential review of each family’s financial situation, and applications are considered separately from admissions decisions. We encourage any family who may benefit from support to apply—our goal is to support a strong, inclusive community where every child can thrive.

Early Learning For All (ELFA) Partnership — San Francisco Department of Early Childhood

In addition to our Tuition Assistance Program, Pacific Primary partners with the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood (DEC) as a qualified provider in their Early Learning For All (ELFA) initiative. ELFA is aimed at increasing access to high-quality early care and education for children ages 0–5 of San Francisco residents, aligning with our mission and commitment to inclusivity.

ELFA Funding Levels:

  • Fully Funded Tuition: Available to families earning up to 110% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with no tuition charges.
  • Tuition Credit: For families earning 111% to 150% of AMI, offering a 50% credit on DEC-published tuition rates.

AMI Table for 2025-2026 School Year

Families must be San Francisco residents and meet income eligibility for each tier. ELFA benefits are portable and remain in place until a child ages out of early education. 

Chart represents the maximum monthly gross income based on family size.

How to Apply & Where to Get Help

Tuition Assistance

Apply via our school using the Tuition Assistance Application, including a current IRS tax return and recent pay stub.

Step 1

Complete the 2026-2027 Tuition Assistance Application by FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026

Step 2

Submit a current paystub for each parent by email or mail by FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026.

Step 3

Submit your 2025 W-2(s) and/or 1099(s) AND 2025 Federal Tax Return by SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026.

Tax and earnings information from 2024 or earlier will not be accepted.

Submit Tax Return, W-2(s) and/or 1099(s) by email or mail.

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Pacific Primary Business Office, 1501 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

ELFA Funding

You will be guided through the ELFA application process once enrolled into the school—proof of income, residency, and family size is required.