Admission

Overview

CAIS is an independent Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade co-ed Chinese English dual language immersion school. Located in the Civic Center/Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, CAIS spans across two campuses. Known as the Waller Street Campus, the Pre-K facility accommodates three and four-year-olds and is a 10 minute walk from the main Oak Street Campus, which houses Kindergarten through eighth grade classes.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Chinese is not a requirement for entry at this level. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten applicants shall attend a Saturday screening/evaluation session during the application process and are evaluated on the basis of auditory and language development, as well as their level of socialization.

First through Eighth Grades

Applicants in these grades are evaluated on the basis of their ability to meet academic requirements at the Lower School grade level. Applicants visit our campus for one day to experience student life at CAIS, as well as receive an age and grade appropriate assessment in Chinese and English to determine readiness for the program. Based on space availability in the Lower School, a student may be accepted if we determine that she or he can transition into the program.

An Admission Committee, composed of faculty and administrators, makes enrollment recommendations to the Head of School.