Chinese American International School

3250 19th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132. The main campus houses CAIS's Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School divisions. The campus is located in San Francisco, California.

Early Childhood: Preschool (ages 2-5) through Kindergarten; Preschool is full immersion in Mandarin; Kindergarten follows a 50/50 immersion model. Lower School: First through Fifth Grade, with two to three sections per grade and 50/50 immersion. Middle School: Sixth through Eighth Grade.

Independent, coed

Preschool is full Mandarin immersion. Kindergarten follows the 50/50 immersion model. Lower School (1st-5th) follows the 50/50 immersion model. Middle School (6th-8th) uses a hands-on, minds-on, interdisciplinary curriculum. Global Programs include the Fifth Grade Taiwan Exchange, Seventh Grade Guilin, and Eighth Grade Sichuan programs, which provide immersive experiences in Chinese language and culture.

ERB results for 4th-7th graders show CAIS students outpace monolingual peers in English reading, verbal reasoning, writing mechanics and skills.

Graduates go on to independent high schools and colleges in the United States.

The school weaves social-emotional learning into the Chinese and English academic program. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are integrated into the curriculum. CAIS teachers weave social-emotional learning, DEI, technology, and more across the program. The Student Services Team supports students' academic, social, and emotional well-being and includes English language learning specialists, Chinese language support specialists, and school counselors. Counseling across divisions focuses on fostering positive relationships, respect, and responsible decision-making, with Toolbox Project in the lower grades and advisory activities in the upper grades. Parent meetings are an important part of the counselors' roles.

Three English language learning specialists, two Chinese language support specialists, and three school counselors comprise the Student Services Team. Chinese language support teachers work with individuals and small groups to provide Chinese language support, and students referred to CLS are assessed to identify effective approaches. Two full-time CLS teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure that additional instruction addresses students' needs. The Student Services Team also provides English reading support with two full-time reading specialists. A Preschool Counselor supports social-emotional development and helps address personal and social risk factors, collaborating with staff to develop plans that accommodate documented needs and providing referrals to outside resources when needed.

The Student Services Team includes three English language learning specialists and two Chinese language support specialists, with three school counselors. They provide ongoing support to address English language learners and other diverse learners across the school. Chinese language support teachers work with individuals and small groups to provide Chinese language instruction, with assessments to tailor approaches. Two full-time CLS teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to address students' needs. English reading support is provided by two full-time reading specialists.

The school counseling program focuses on fostering positive relationships and promoting mutual respect, trust, and honest communication. Counselors work with each division to build a foundation of respect, including Preschool Grace and Courtesy lessons, classroom expectations in K–5, and a Middle School community code built on respect, responsibility, honesty, and citizenship. Parent meetings are a significant part of counselors' roles. Kindergarten through Fourth Grade counseling uses the Toolbox Project for social-emotional learning, teaching self- and social-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision making. Fifth through Eighth Grade counseling includes daily advisory groups that address topics such as bullying, internet safety, stress, and anxiety.

The Preschool Counselor job description requires TB clearance and health screening for staff, along with fingerprint and child abuse index clearance. The counselor also emphasizes privacy and confidentiality of information about individuals. CAIS's mission includes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which supports a safe and inclusive environment for all students. CAIS admits students of any race, color, religion, disability, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and national or ethnic origin and does not discriminate in admissions or school programs.

Limited spaces are open in select grades. Eligibility for the 2026-2027 school year: Preschool P2 requires two on or before September 1, 2026; Preschool P3/P4 requires three or four on or before September 1, 2026; Kindergarten requires five on or before September 1, 2026; 1st Grade requires adequate oral and aural proficiency in Mandarin; 2nd–5th Grade requires adequate Mandarin and English proficiency with Mandarin proficiency demonstrated prior to application; 6th–8th Grade offers Mandarin Immersion requiring both Mandarin and English proficiency, while the Mandarin World Language Pathway does not require Mandarin proficiency, only English proficiency. Step 2: Begin by filling out the online inquiry form to stay informed about events and the admissions process. Step 3: Experience campus in person with CAIS 101, Tours for Preschool Applicants, Tours for K-5th Applicants, Tours for 6th-8th Grade Applicants, and Face-to-Face with CAIS later in the season; tour dates fill up quickly. Step 4: Request an application; you'll receive a link to open your online portal; the application includes an evaluation form. Preschool applicants' schools should email the Preschool–K Student Evaluation Form or mail it to 3250 19th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132; First–Eighth Grade Student Evaluation Form is used for older applicants. Applications for 2026-2027 are due January 16, 2026; supporting documents (including evaluation forms) are due February 11. CAIS follows the Principles of Good Practice in Admissions.

Tuition for 2026-2027 is $46,300 for K–8 and $42,900 for Preschool. Adjusted Tuition is a need-based program determined by Clarity and the Adjusted Tuition Committee; applying does not influence the admissions decision. The Adjusted Tuition decision covers tuition, extended care, and International Program fees; the family's Adjusted Tuition is reviewed annually and the CAIS School Code is 5119. The Adjusted Tuition process uses Clarity data and requires an annual application; questions should be directed to adjustedtuition@cais.org. In 2025–2026, 22.5% of families (representing 23.6% of students) paid Adjusted Tuition. Morning care is complimentary; after-school care costs $400/month; August and June are free for families enrolled in extended care from September to May.