Welcome

I am pleased to welcome you to Prospect Sierra, a nationally and internationally recognized school for TK-8 students on two beautiful campuses in El Cerrito, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Prospect Sierra embodies several key assumptions in philosophy and daily practice: that learning is the pathway to personal growth; that school should be both challenging and joyous; that school is a community through which students, teachers, and parents develop trust, demonstrate cooperation, show respect, and acquire an understanding of the rights and needs of others; and that diversity, in its many human forms, brings quality and strength to our school. A rapidly changing global environment requires that students develop skills and acquire knowledge while learning to define and solve problems creatively.

A Prospect Sierra education provides students with daily opportunities to engage in a rigorous academic curriculum that also allows them to gain greater self-knowledge and to develop compassion and care for others. In a diverse and inclusive community, we provide a joyful environment that develops students’ life-long passion for learning.

Our strategic plan, Focus for the Future, envisions a learning community where everyone thrives–students, staff, families, and alumni. I encourage you to learn more about Prospect Sierra by exploring the pages of this website and making a visit to our school.

Sincerely,

Nisa Frank

Our Mission & Strategic Plan

Prospect Sierra students are passionate about learning. Our exceptional teachers inspire students to seek deep, meaningful understanding; to develop strong academic skills; and to become creative and independent thinkers. Prospect Sierra cultivates compassion, fairness, respect, and individuality within a community that celebrates diversity, authenticity, and service.

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In 2015, Prospect Sierra adopted a new Strategic Plan, Focus on the Future, created in collaboration with every school constituent. This visionary plan allows us to chart new territory in 21st century learning, teacher and employee care, financial sustainability, emotional intelligence, community development, and green practices.

At A Glance

There’s so much to get to know about our school, we hope you’ll contact us for a visit. In the meantime, here are a few Prospect Sierra facts and figures that you might find interesting.

General Information

  • Independent TK–8 school located on two campuses in El Cerrito hills
  • Total enrollment: 465
  • Students of color: 46%
  • Student teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Families from around the Bay Area including Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Kensington, Oakland, Pinole, Richmond, and more.
  • School begins at 9 a.m. for TK, 8:30 a.m. for K–4,
    8:20 a.m. for 5–8
  • Transportation available
  • Extended programs (before and after school) available

Affordability

  • Over $2M in grants allocated to Flexible Tuition in 2019-20
  • 33% of students use our Flexible Tuition program

Associations and Awards

  • California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
  • National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
  • People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS)
  • NAIS Model School of the Future
  • Ashoka International Changemaker School
  • US Department of Education Green Ribbon School

 

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Prospect Sierra’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement

DEI Vision

We aspire to create a world where everyone thrives and is a changemaker who contributes to this creation of an equitable and inclusive world.

DEI Mission

Every day we commit to teaching and practicing equity and inclusion so that children build perspective and develop skills to make positive change in the world as these changemakers.

DEI Philosophy

Identity matters to our sense of belonging and ability to learn. Diversity of thought, identity, and culture leads to more effective and creative problem solving whether it is at the kindergarten math table or at the UN.

Therefore we cultivate an inspiring and nurturing educational community that:

  • recognizes and celebrates our differences joyfully
  • promotes understanding
  • deepens our shared commitment to social justice and service to others
  • sustains our courage to do this work together

In addition to strengthening interpersonal relationships, we recognize that building a better world requires:

  • identifying and understanding past and present systemic inequities
  • examining power and privilege at all levels
  • having the courage to make change


We face combating injustice and discrimination with the same intention we apply to learning new academic skills. Our curriculum integrates perspective taking and problem-solving skills that are reinforced daily by all members of our community to challenge our assumptions and biases and provide opportunities to take risks by stretching beyond our comfort zones. We believe that these skills are as vital in the classroom as they are in life.

Approved by the Prospect Sierra Board of Trustees May 16, 2018.

Greening

For more than a decade, Prospect Sierra has been a school leader in green curriculum and practices. We know that how we treat the earth is connected to how we treat each other. We’re responsible for the impact we have on our environment and we teach our students the importance of doing so.

A photovoltaic system on each campus. A reduction of 47% of solid waste from landfill. Converting 4000 square feet of asphalt to green space. Creating two outdoor classrooms and a second school garden. They’re just a few examples of the steps we’ve taken to reduce our carbon footprint.

In addition to our goal of reaching carbon neutrality for all of our school operations, we’ve integrated ecoliteracy throughout our K-8 curriculum. We want students to understand how ecosystems function, and learn to contribute to sustainable communities. Our faculty participated in a year-long series of professional development sessions, aimed at learning about ecoliteracy and applying it to curriculum.

 

Our Campuses

We’re closer than you think! Located in El Cerrito, California, Prospect Sierra is home to two vibrant campuses with expansive outdoor spaces.

Our K-4 campus with stunning bay views includes a gym, library, art room, music room, dedicated science classroom, and our popular “colab” maker space. Students eat lunch outside, play on a climbing structure, run on our expansive grassy field, and find quiet spots for reading or imaginative play. Kindergarten students even have a dedicated outdoor lunch deck and play yard.

Our middle schoolers enjoy a campus designed with 21st century skills and students in mind. Movable walls, rolling desks, comfortable hang out spots, and technology tools are found in many classrooms. Students flock to the field, the gym, and our arts building for drama, music, and art spaces. Older kids can be found at the “colab” laser cutting, sewing, drawing or prototyping.

 

Commute

Wondering about the commute? Great news – we provide a transportation service before and after school to help make your mornings and afternoons much easier! Click here to learn more.

Elementary School

2060 Tapscott Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: 510.809.9036

Middle School

960 Avis Drive
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: 510.809.9000