Katherine Michiels School

The Katherine Michiels School has been a bay area education innovator since 1976. Our founder, Katherine Michiels, met David Giveans soon after earning her degree in biology from San Francisco State University, and was profoundly influenced by his teachings on progressive early-childhood education. At his suggestion, Michiels traveled to London to study the British Infant Schools, and later visited more than 50 educational facilities in 15 cities and countries, from Europe to the Far East. For Michiels and those who joined her, education would become the passion of a lifetime. KMS started on Irving Street, serving 13 families with programs for young children. It was the start of what will become a celebrated multi ethnic community of students, teachers, parents and staff. The school’s focus on active, child-centered learning stimulates independent thinking, ignites creativity, strengthens environmental awareness and sensitivity, and empowers children as valuable and responsible citizens of our global society. Over the decades KMS continued to grow, expanding to cool camp, multiple locations, infants, a full Elementary program through 5th grade and YUM Chefs, while building on its child-centered, experiential philosophy and incorporating a multilingual program with a focus on the Reggio Emilia approach.