Introduction to Tule Elk Park
Tule Elk Park (TEP) Early Education School is one of 38 Child Development Centers (CDC) operated by the San Francisco Unified School District. TEP provides both all-day and after-school programs for 150 toddlers, pre-kindergarten, and elementary children, who reflect the ethnic, racial, economic, cultural and linguistic diversity of San Francisco:
- 90% of our children are low-income;
- 80% of these children are eligible for free or reduced lunch;
- More than 75% of our students are identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) with more than 60 languages represented at our school;
- Most of our parents are working, attending school, or in job training as required by the state.
Our school site’s priorities are Early Literacy Development, Inclusive Practices, Parent Involvement, Building Community Partnerships, and Professional Development. Our programs aim to provide an environment-based curriculum and increase public awareness about the vital connection between nature, outdoor learning, 
and school success. We offer an enrichment program of environmental education, which is funded entirely by grants, sponsorships, and individuals.
TEP is a recognized demonstration site that champions the schoolyard as an important educational and recreational resource for urban children. As a founding member of the San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance, TEP is committed to “greening” schools and creating the outdoor learning environments that every child deserves. We invite you to join us in maintaining the highest standards in education and supporting the integration of the classroom with the natural environment to help all children find their brilliance.
Two recent books include the wealth of knowledge developed at Tule Elk Park: How to Grow a School Garden by Arden Bucklin-Sporer and Rachel K. Pringle, 2010 and Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation by Sharon Danks.
Last September 2011, Tule Elk was proud to be on the green schools tour for Engaging our Grounds: The 2011 International Green Schoolyard Conference.
Read an article on the legacy of Tule Elk Park, by the Rex Foundation …