Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason
Guidepost Montessori develops a fundamental love of learning and equips each child with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to reach their highest potential as they grow into independent adults.
Phone: 415-429-2008
Email: fortmason@guidepostmontessori.com
Programs For:
Children's House (4 - 6 years)
Elementary (6 - 12 years)
ATI Middle School (13 - 14 years)
Set your child up for success! Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason is now enrolling children from 3 to 14 years old. We are dedicated to educating the whole child, providing much more than just normal childcare, daycare, preschool, elementary, and middle school education. Learn more about the Guidepost difference and schedule a tour of our school today.
Our programs:
Children's House - for ages 3 - 6 years (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
Elementary School - for ages 6 - 12 years (grades 1 - 6)
Middle School - for ages 13 -14 (grades 7 - 8)
Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason is located in the heart of San Francisco in the neighborhood of Fort Mason, close to the Marina, Pacific Heights, and the Presidio. We are conveniently located at Buchanan off Beach St. and Buchanan St.
A Letter from the Head of School, Stephanie Silverman
Thank you for your interest in Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason. As a mom of a two-year-old myself, finding the right place for my child has always been my top priority. I wanted a place where my child would be happy to go in the morning, where she would learn skills that would benefit her throughout her life, and where I could be assured that she was being respected and loved. A home away from home.
I discovered that Guidepost Montessori is a genuinely different kind of school. I have over 10 years of Montessori school training and have witnessed firsthand the transformative nature of this kind of education. In a Montessori school, each child’s unique individualism is valued and they are part of a close, caring community. Parents new to Montessori are surprised to see how it develops a child’s self-motivation–for young children and adolescents–in all areas of their development. Our hands-on approach to learning is made easy with all the beautiful and tactile Montessori materials used in our classrooms. If you come for a visit (and I hope you do), you will see how deeply engaged the children are in their work. Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to both themselves and their community.
Starting from three years old to preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school, each age offers its own unique set of developmental milestones, and the Montessori method addresses each one. Infants have opportunities to work on their gross motor skills, while older children start exploring materials designed to help them learn to read, write, and do math problems - frequently before the age of four. Grade school-aged children all the way up to middle school focus on both classical subjects and on developing areas of their personal passion. All of this learning happens in our “prepared environment:” spaces that are clean, bright, calm, and warm, where children truly thrive, with our guides (teachers) ready to lend a helping hand.
By far the best way to understand just how different we are from other daycares, preschools, kindergartens, and middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area is to tour our school and see it for yourself. I hope to see you soon!
- Stephanie Silverman, M.Ed., Head of School, Guidepost Montessori at Fort Mason
Take a peek inside our school
Our elementary school classroom.
Beautiful and enticing objects encourage exploration.
The Children's Room classroom.
Child-sized dishes and tools for practicing fine motor skills.
Explore Our Programs
What is the Montessori equivalent name for kindergarten? The kindergarten years correspond to our Children's House program. Click each image below to read a program overview and discover what your child will learn when they join our school.
Changing the world, one student at a time
We are a school where children find the joy in learning — and thus make it possible for them to continue learning for the rest of their lives.
To think mathematically.
To solve problems.
To create things.
To encounter great literature that inspires their character development.
To build themselves as capable, efficacious beings.
To place themselves in history and in society.
To spark meaningful friendships and deep personal values that last a lifetime.
Our goal at Guidepost Montessori is to serve each individual child, to help them realize their limitless potential, and the opportunities they will have to create real and lasting change throughout their lifetime.
Hear from our Fort Mason Families
"We could not be happier with our time at Guidepost! The staff is friendly, warm, and invested in the kids! We previously attended a public school and found that the Montessori approach suited our kids better. Now, hearing the quality conversations we have with them, we know we made the right decision in making the switch. The kids have nothing but good things to say about the school and their staff." - Fort Mason Parent
"Differentiated learning"
"Both of my (very different) kids LOVE their school, which, to me, is one of the most important factors. The school has been amazing at personalization and differentiated learning. The classes are small, the student-teacher ratio is amazing, and the field trips and experiential learning opportunities are frequent." - Fort Mason Parent
"Social-emotional learning"
"The caliber of the teachers is amazing. The social-emotional learning is unparalleled. We also love the community!" - Fort Mason Parent
Meet our School Team
Stephanie Silverman
Emily Doman
Maria Adamo
Stay connected to your child's learning
Thanks to our app Transparent Classroom, you get a window into your child’s experience of school daily.
Your child’s Lead Guide will share what your child is learning and what their real-time assessments are - this way you can very closely follow your child’s development throughout the day, months, and years you stay within the Guidepost network. If you transfer from one of our locations to the next, your child’s progress and continuity will be tracked in the app and readily accessible. Read more about Transparent Classroom here.
In this app you will see important notes and milestones such as:
- Daily toileting, eating (bottle feeding for infants), and sleeping habits
- Curriculum introduction, progress, and completion
- End of day summary of all activities
- Notes such as bringing in more diapers or a new set of clothes
- Reminders for upcoming classroom events like birthdays, holidays, or special occasions
Interested in becoming a room parent? Let your child's Lead guide know!
Start your journey with us
Look Inside Our Classrooms
Interactive Tour
Continuing Montessori Education for Middle School
We are also pleased to offer in-person, virtual school and home school learning options for Middle school and High school students through the Academy of Thought and Industry (ATI).
The Academy of Thought and Industry combines the best of a classical education with personalized learning based on interest, passion, and curiosity. Our programs deliver a powerful education for independence and help to develop curious, self-motivated students who thrive in school and in life.
Learn more about the Academy of Thought and Industry here.
What sets us apart from traditional schools
As the largest network of Montessori schools in the U.S., Guidepost Montessori is recognized for its outstanding academic standards, its steadfast commitment to Montessori education, and its deep respect for the potential in every child. At Guidepost, it is our mission to empower and equip your child with the knowledge, confidence and agency needed to reach their highest potential.
Education for life
Our education provides the freedom and guidance needed to construct a sense of self and purpose through joyful, meaningful work. We support your child in all areas of their development – social, emotional, physical, academic, and beyond.
Deeply individualized learning
Lessons are carefully structured and designed to appeal to each student's level of development and needs. Our proprietary curriculum gives students increasing responsibility over their learning as they grow.
Dedicated teachers supported by industry experts
Our programming has been designed by leading education experts, and is implemented by passionate, qualified teachers. All of our Lead Guides are required to be AMI, AMS, or PMI Montessori certified and receive ongoing training and professional development.
Carefully prepared environment
At the heart of our school is our belief that children thrive when given freedom and responsibility in environments prepared for them. Guidepost Montessori classrooms are light, airy, calming, aesthetically beautiful spaces. Each material is carefully chosen and carefully displayed — to inspire and entice your child to explore.
Year-round programming
We think the education of our students is stronger when we can serve the whole family, which is why we are committed to very few closures throughout the school year, and offer extended day options for families.
Continuity and mobility
Our schools offer a continuing Montessori education for children as young as 10 weeks through to 18 years old. With a growing network of 100+ schools across the U.S., China and Europe - combined with our virtual and homeschool options - we can support continuity and consistency in your child's education to meet your family's changing needs.
Giving your child the keys to life
Guidepost Montessori offers a unique and holistic approach to education for children of all ages with over 120 brick & mortar schools, virtual and homeschool, and Spanish and Mandarin language immersion options.
Our curriculum fosters independence, creativity, and a love of learning. Book a school tour today and take the first step in giving your child the gift of a Montessori education.
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