Children's Day School

Children's Day School (CDS) is an independent, non-sectarian day school in San Francisco serving students from preschool through grade 8. Enrollment sits between 300 and 500 students. That size gives teachers real programming depth while keeping classrooms small enough to know every student well.

What makes teaching at CDS distinct is the balance it holds on purpose. Academic goals matter, but so does who students are becoming. The school runs a working farm and garden inside an urban campus — not as an elective, but as part of how students learn. Spanish instruction runs across grade levels, so language faculty work within a coherent, multi-year sequence rather than starting over each fall. Teachers here are expected to keep asking how things can be done better, and the culture supports following that question seriously.

CDS offers day school faculty the financial backing to do the job well. The school reported roughly $27 million in annual revenue and net assets above $36 million in 2023. Fundraising has grown steadily, pointing to an engaged parent community. For candidates weighing job offers, a school's fiscal health matters — it affects staffing stability, benefits, and program investment over time.

Children's Day School hires across its early childhood, elementary, and middle school divisions. Roles in student support, administration, and school operations open periodically as well. Faculty positions tend to draw educators with experience in inquiry-based or project-centered teaching.

San Francisco is an expensive city. Candidates should ask CDS directly about salary bands, benefits, and any professional development funding — those details vary and are worth a direct conversation before applying.