Sept. 11, 2001 will be forever marked in our country’s history. The tragic events of that day left Americans feeling scared and helpless. Something else happened on this day that created a new beginning for many San Francisco families: the opening of The Serra Preschool.

Teachers and parents alike were grief stricken and shocked by the events of that morning, but the excitement and joy of the young children who came through the doors on that first day forced them to move forward. This preschool is unique in that it was started by a group of families looking for a play-based curriculum with a spiritual component. It started in the basement of a home with just a dozen children; over the last 10 years it has grown to be a staple of the Presidio and home to more than 80 children ranging in age from 3 to 5. Marybeth Cody, the school’s director, has been with the school since the beginning. She is a firm believer in play-based education but is quick to note, “This play has a purpose.” There is plenty of time for free play, but there is also some structure with large and small groups that creates a unique balance. The schoolhouse is located in the heart of the Presidio in a restored Civil War-era officer’s home. There are several rooms that house an art center, science center, dramatic play area, snack room, and of course the gorgeous outdoor space with a sandbox and plenty of grass. Kathleen Jackson, who has had three children at Serra says, “With its unique location in the Presidio, The Serra Preschool incorporates its natural surroundings as part of the day’s teachings. The children are continually fascinated by the nature they see around them and can observe and explore in a very hands-on way.” This hands-on way includes examining raccoon tracks, looking for parrots, and the always-popular catch and release of gophers.

The school just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a celebration that not only marked the growth and strength of the school but also remembered with a moment of silence the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The celebration picnic took place at the Log Cabin in the Presidio and welcomed more than 150 current and alumni families – including several from the original class. Many of the older children who have now moved on to grade school and high school wrote notes of gratitude. Cody was touched and said, “It is wonderful and so reaffirming when children look back and recall their time at Serra as a place that helped them become who they are today.” Both former students and parents share this feeling. Mary Noonan, a current parent at the school says, “Every day at Serra, my child is learning skills that will last a lifetime. Everyone can eventually write their name, but how many can focus, juggle ideas and resist their first impulse?” The school continues to thrive and prosper. Marybeth Cody’s hopes for the next 10 years are that it continues to be a place where children learn, play and build relationships with each other and their community. According to Cody, the hardest part of her job is not having space for all interested families. Each year she receives over 100 applications for only a handful of open spots. The best part of the job, Cody says, is the children, “Each day brings the joy of new discoveries about their world. It is a blessing to be a part of that process.”