Signature Programs

A Sterne education isn’t contained within the classroom walls. Our academic calendar includes days and weeks devoted to experiential trips and community service opportunities.

Recent Experiential Week Adventures:

• California history tour of Sacramento
• San Francisco history walking tour
• Multicultural food appreciation tours
• Local mural artist visits
• Community service weeks, including park clean-up, animal control visit, and Food Bank work

Expedition Days

On Expedition Days students venture out of the school building to engage in hands-on learning with their homerooms. They find opportunities to learn about the natural history, ecology, and preservation of San Francisco’s natural environment. Sea-kayaking near Candlestick Point, service projects at Cayuga Park, and birdwatching at Heron’s Head are some of the activities that engage students in meaningful work and create incredible opportunities for connecting with each other.

Eye to Eye is a national mentoring organization for students with learning disabilities. Our High School students apply to be mentors and are paired with Lower and Middle School students (mentees). The goal of the program is to develop robust social and emotional skills, create supportive environments, cultivate advocacy and leadership skills, and provide a path out of stigma and self-doubt.
Learn more about Eye to Eye (external site)

Our Arts department hosts several art performances throughout the year. Past performances have included:

• Vanessa Sanchez y La Mezcla, a San Francisco dance and music ensemble
• Oakland-based MJ's Brass Boppers, a New Orleans jazz ensemble
• An Indigenous People's ceremonial dance artist
• Diane Ferlatte, a storyteller on African-American history
• Special makeup FX artist Gabe Bartalos

This program offers our talented faculty and staff the opportunity, with support from Sterne, to pursue passion projects related to our school's mission. Many of these projects have resulted in new and impactful programs:

• Eye to Eye chapter at Sterne 
• Math intervention strategies 
• Girls on the Run chapter at Sterne