About
The Lake School is a play-based preschool in Oakland, CA, serving children ages 2–6 since 1981. Located in a 1906 Victorian home, the campus features three classrooms, large outdoor play spaces, and a vibrant pet program that fosters compassion and responsibility.
Programs are organized into four age-defined classes—Hummingbird (2-year-olds), Finch (3-year-olds), Robin (4-year-olds), and Mallard (5-year-olds/Transitional Kindergarten). The TK program helps children bridge preschool and kindergarten. Each class enrolls approximately 13–18 students and is staffed by two teachers and an aide, with class ratios ranging from 1:4 in the younger groups to 1:6 in TK and an overall 6:1 student–teacher ratio. The school is licensed to care for up to 46 students at a time.
The Lake School emphasizes social-emotional learning, community, and positive discipline, with mixed-age play during outdoor time and curriculum built on children’s interests. Families can choose a gradual schedule by age or opt for a full five-day week, with the ability to extend the day up to eight hours. Stability and experience are core strengths: 72% of staff have three or more years at the school and the average teaching experience is seven years. The school also offers tuition assistance to eligible families.