Cost & Committment

Laurel Hill Nursery School is a non-profit, cooperative preschool supported by both tuition and active family participation. Tuition helps cover day-to-day operations, while families also contribute their time in the classroom and through school-wide involvement. This unique model fosters deep community, shared purpose, and a richer educational experience for children and parents alike.

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

Children attend Laurel Hill five days a week, with flexible program options to suit your family’s needs. Families can choose between Half Day and Full Day enrollment—we are proud to offer San Francisco’s only full-day cooperative preschool program—with the option to add extended care before and after school, on a daily or contracted basis.

  • 2025-2026 School Year

    At Laurel Hill, we strive to make high-quality, play-based education accessible for families while remaining financially sustainable as a non-profit cooperative. Tuition is billed as an annual sum and divided into 10 equal monthly payments.

    Program Options

    Half Day Preschool
    9:00 AM – 11:50 AM or 1:00 PM – 3:50 PM
    $650/ month

    Pre-K

    9:00 AM – 12:25 PM
    $760 / month

    Full Day Preschool

    9:00 AM – 3:50 PM
    $1,835 / month

  • We understand that families need flexibility. Laurel Hill offers a range of contracted and drop-in extended care options, available before school, during lunch, and after school. Families typically contract for these hours on a monthly basis, though drop-in care is available as space allows.

    Available Extended Care Hours

    • Before School: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

    • Lunch Hour: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

    • After School: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    Rates

    • Contracted Extended Care: $14/hour

    • Drop-in Extended Care: $16/hour

  • Each family is required to purchase one block of tickets for our annual auction raffle fundraiser. These tickets may be resold to family and friends, and the cost is typically equivalent to one month’s half day tuition.

    All tuition and extended care rates are subject to annual review and adjustment.

  • We are committed to making Laurel Hill accessible to families of all income levels. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families, based on demonstrated financial need and available funds.

    • Applications open: June

    • Deadline to apply: June 30

    • Notification: Before the start of the school year

    If you have questions or would like to apply, please reach out to:

    Director: sabrina@laurelhill.org
    Board Treasurer: treasurer@laurelhill.org

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  • Each family commits to one three hour workday per week, joining teachers and fellow parents in the classroom to lead activities, support play, and help supervise. For many members, workdays are the highlight of their co-op experience.

  • Families attend five parent education meetings annually. These free evening seminars, hosted by our Parent Education Committee, cover topics such as child development, positive discipline, and health and safety. Four of the five sessions focus on Laurel Hill’s core educational philosophy and are led by our staff. Occasional daytime options are also available to accommodate different schedules.

    • Each family serves on a committee for the school year—such as Beautification, Auction, or Parent Education—contributing at least 7 hours per semester.

    • In addition, families complete 6 volunteer hours annually, often during weekends or evenings, to support events and school upkeep.

  • One caregiver from each family attends a monthly evening meeting (held the third Tuesday of each month). This is when committees gather, updates are shared, and members vote on important matters.

  • Families support fundraising efforts, including the purchase or sale of raffle tickets for our annual Auction Fundraiser. The total amount raised per family typically equals one month of preschool tuition.

  • We recognize the unique time constraints of single-parent households. Laurel Hill offers reduced participation requirements to make co-op membership accessible. If you're a single caregiver, please reach out to our Director (sabrina@laurelhill.org) or DEI Chair (dei@laurelhill.org) to discuss a plan that works for you.

Family Participation

Laurel Hill is a cooperative preschool that keeps tuition affordable by inviting each family to play an active role in running the school. In return, families gain insight into play-based learning, access to free parenting seminars, and a deeper connection to their child’s growth.

The commitment can feel big at first glance. But for many families, it becomes the most rewarding part of their Laurel Hill experience.

Plus we continue to grow and adapt to reflect the needs of modern parenting and specific families’ needs.

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