About Us

Our Mission

To create a learning community that encourages humanity, empathy, moral depth, cultural understanding, and intellectual freedom.

Educational Goal

To create vibrant, independent thinkers who will never lose their passion for learning, their delight in research, and their involvement in cultural pursuits.

Teaching Philosophy

This student-centered method of learning, best described as Socratic, is based on inquiry, questioning, exploration, and discovery: it minimizes competitiveness and makes the curriculum personally relevant, motivating students to acquire knowledge and skills for their own sake.

The focus on mastery not tasks is reinforced by an interdisciplinary approach, which integrates rigorous academics with music, drama, and the visual arts.

Social Goal

To instill mutual respect, compassion, and an appreciation of differences among our students. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering a warm and supportive environment in which children can safely address challenges and grow in their understanding of themselves and others.

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Key Facts

Enrollment &
Class Structure

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Lower School (K–5): 125

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Upper School (6–8): 186

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Whole School (K–8): 311

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Typical class size: 20 students

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Student-faculty ratio: 10:1

Faculty

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Faculty with advanced degrees: 52.5%

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Average years teaching at BPC: 10.5 years

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Average total teaching experience: 18.5 years

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Professional development: 2,550 hours aggregated among faculty

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Facilities &
Extra-Curriculars

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Campus features: art studios; science & maker space; library; theater; band studio; climbing wall; athletic field; gardens; chicken coop

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After-school Clubs: 30+ clubs, including chickens & garden, aeronautics, maker, engineering, choir, and drama

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Sports: 79 upper schoolers participate in teams (soccer, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee)

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Music: 60 first-through-third graders play violin, cello, & Orff instruments; 64 students in band program

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Academic & Classroom Support

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Assistant teacher supporting head teacher in every K–5 classroom

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Subject specialist teachers K–5 (art, garden, music, P.E., science, Spanish)

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Whole-child approach: social-emotional learning K–8 (Responsive Classroom, Kimochis, buddies, advisories) 

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Student Support Services: learning specialists and counselors in both divisions

Outcomes & Community

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High School Destinations: ~⅓ of graduates go to public high school, ~⅔ to Bay Area private or parochial (three-year average 2023–2025)

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Diversity Metrics:

  • 56% of families identify as people of color
  • 35% of faculty & staff identify as people of color
  • 47% of board members identify as people of color
  • 30% of faculty were born outside the USA
  • Students come from 33 zip codes

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Flexible tuition offered to 30% of families

Lunch Program

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Nourish You

School Hours

Kindergarten: 8:25 am – 2:30 pm
1st Grade: 8:25 am – 2:45 pm
2nd–5th Grade: 8:25 am – 3:00 pm
6th–8th Grade: 8:20 am – 3:15 pm
On-Site Extended Day Program:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 8:30 am & 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Black Pine Circle School is accredited by the
California Association of Independent Schools

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