Chinese American International School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked CA School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 555 students
Yearly Tuition: $46,300
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Chinese American International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Type

School with Special Program Emphasis

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade

Grade	Chinese American International School
Pre-K	104
Kind	48
1	59
2	61
3	52
4	56
5	36
6	48
7	43
8	48

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Pre-K enrollment highest at 104 students, far above any other grade at Chinese American International School.

Dual Language Immersion Program

Yes

Secondary Immersion Language

Mandarin

Year Founded

1981

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Fri. Jun 18, 2027

Campus Size

5 acres

Student Body

Total Students

555 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

88%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

77 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

18 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

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Classroom Dress Code

Casual

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15

Yearly Tuition Cost

$46,300

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

For the 2025-2026 school year, 22.5% of families (representing 23.6% of students) paid Adjusted Tuition ranging from $2,400 to $42,692.

% on Financial Aid

22%

Admissions Director

Elaine Chang

Admissions Associate

Angelina Ward

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Sports

Total Sports Offered

4 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

SoccerVolleyball

Colors

Red and Gold

School Notes

CAIS is the nation's preeminent and oldest school offering Chinese-English dual-language immersion education.
Founded in 1981, CAIS education begins at 2 year old preschool through 8th grade. It is a co-ed independent school in San Francisco, California that provides a dual language and multicultural learning experience for students of all backgrounds.
Our mission at the Chinese American International School is to inspire and empower learners to Embrace Chinese, Become our best selves and Contribute to a better world. Our Core Values are Kindness, Curiosity, Courage, Perserverance, and Inclusion.

CAIS fosters a culture of learning characterized by curiosity, agency, perseverance and joy. Students take control of their own learning, experiencing the joy and empowerment of a growth mindset and life in which learning is a continuous and never-ending journey.
We foster a school community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We firmly believe social and emotional competence can and must be explicitly taught in order for our students to achieve their capacity to be kind and resilient individuals who actively particpate in, contribute and grow within a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
The CAIS immersion bonus is an expansive mindset that is cultivated through Chinese immersion which extends far beyond language to add to a student's cognitive, character and intercultural competencies. From incorporating project based learning and Reading and Writing Workshop in both languages across grades, to our focus on design thinking and arts integration across the curriculum, CAIS teachers help students build the skills they need to be prepared for 21st century challenges.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Carol Ruth Silver - CAIS founder, Freedom Rider and former San Francisco Supervisor
- Alexander Massialas - Olympic medalist and champion fencer

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Chinese American International School cost?

Chinese American International School's tuition is approximately $46,300 for private students.

Who are famous alumni from Chinese American International School?

Chinese American International School famous alumni include: Carol Ruth Silver and Alexander Massialas.

Does Chinese American International School offer a summer program?

Yes, Chinese American International School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Chinese American International School offer?

Chinese American International School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball.

What is Chinese American International School's ranking?

Chinese American International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body.

When is the application deadline for Chinese American International School?

The application deadline for Chinese American International School is Jan. 15.

In what neighborhood is Chinese American International School located?

Chinese American International School is located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Cathedral Hill.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Francisco, CA is $25,433 for elementary schools and $39,628 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in San Francisco, CA is 64% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).