Claire Lilienthal Alt Elem Competitors

The Exploratorium is the global leader in informal learning, designed to ignite curiosity and inspire creativity in people of all ages. The world-renowned science museum creates original, interactive exhibits, on display at more than 1,000 science centers, museums and public spaces around the world. Dedicated to education reform in and out of the classroom, the Exploratorium is a premier professional development center for educators and a creator of award-winning educational resources. Since 1969, the Exploratorium has influenced generations of entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, teachers, students, children, museum professionals and everyday doers, reaching nearly 200 million people annually from around the globe. In the spring of 2013, the Exploratorium will move to Pier 15 in the heart of San Francisco's waterfront district, where it will celebrate a new era of experiences that encourage critical thinking and awaken wonder for generations to come. Founded in 1969 by Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, our mission is to create a culture of learning through innovative environments, programs, and tools that help people nurture their understanding about the world around them. We believe that following your curiosity and asking questions can lead to amazing moments of discovery, learning, and awareness, and can increase confidence in your ability to understand how the world works. We also believe that being playful and having fun is an important part of the process for people of all ages.

KIPP is a non-profit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools serving elementary, middle, and high school students. We have a 20-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. There are currently 15 KIPP schools in the Bay Area. In these schools, over 5,200 students are being prepared for success in college and to lead choice-filled lives. These tuition-free, college-preparatory schools are located in the underserved neighborhoods of Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, Redwood City, and East Palo Alto. At KIPP, teachers, students, and families are all united around the same goal—college graduation. Through our collective hard work and commitment, KIPP students complete college at a rate that is above the national average for all students and four times higher than students of similar economic backgrounds.

MCDS is an independent K-8 coed day school enrolling 600 students at a 35-acre campus in Corte Madera, 10 miles north of San Francisco. The school's mission is to "create an inclusive community of learning that inspires curiosity, empathy and action." We enroll children from both San Francisco and Marin County. In addition to an engaging curriculum balancing academics, arts and athletics, current strategic initiatives focus on technology, environmental sustainability, and community and global connections. MCDS is particularly concerned with supporting its outstanding faculty and professional staff, with strong emphasis on professional development. Every employee helps to create a learning community in which all seek to improve as practitioners, learners, and team members. Members of the faculty and professional staff are bright, collaborative and passionate. MCDS is an equal opportunity employer and promotes the principles and practices of diversity throughout the school community.