Dr. Melanie Spears, Principal, Greets All!
Click on the next slide to find more about Dr. Melanie Spears.
About Dr. Melanie Spears
I am Dr. Melanie Spears, a transformative leader with over 25 years of experience with expertise in educational coaching, curriculum, and equity leadership. I am the Principal at Leola Havard EES and Daniel Webster OST. Email me spearsm@sfusd.edu or contact at (415) 917-5865
Find our Virtual School Tour on the next slide.
Leola Havard Virtual School Tour
Leola Havard Virtual School Tour
What We Offer
Outdoor play for learning, fun and fitness
Writing and reading to promote early literacy
Art to inspire joy and creativity
Outdoor education in garden classroom
Caring and experienced staff
“I want my students to have a great first experience at school, so they can go onto kindergarten confident and prepared.” - Ms. Jetoria, PreK Teacher
Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten Success
More about this school
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School Type
Early Education, PreK -
Principal
- Catherine Lewis
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Hours
Mo - Fr: 7:45 am-5:45 pm
Our full-time program is open year-round, five days a week, Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Our school-day program is open during the academic year, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Out-of-School Time care is available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 5:45 p.m.
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School Tour
We offer small group tours on Tuesday mornings on a bi-weekly basis (beginning in the third week of August) or by appointment. View our school tour calendar. Please call our office at 415-695-5660 to arrange a tour time or fill out our school tour request form.
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Neighborhood
Bayview -
School Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
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About Leola M. Havard Early Education School
Our Philosophy
Our school uses the HighScope Educational Approach, which emphasizes active participatory learning. Students have direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. Students’ interests and choices are at the heart of how we teach and nurture. We validate and support what they already know, and gently encourage them to take their thinking to the next level.
Our Staff
Our teaching team is committed to supporting our students’ academic journeys. We are mindful that each child develops, learns and adapts to learning in different ways. For that reason, we strive to strengthen school-home collaborations and teacher-parent relationships. Our teachers all have California teaching credentials and are certified in CPR and First Aid. Many of our staff are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Our Services
Special Education Support, Out-of-School Time, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational & Physical Therapy
Our Typical Day
Morning: Outdoor Play, Circle Time, Art, Counting or Alphabet Learning
Mid-Day: Group Lunch
Afternoon: Nap or Quiet Time, Outdoor PlayAges Served
We serve children ages 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old. Children must turn 3 on or before December 1st of the year they wish to enroll.
Our Namesake
Leola M. Havard Early Education School (formerly the Burnett Child Development Center) changed our name in 2011 to honor the first African American female school principal in SFUSD.
Leola Morgan Havard (1920 - 2018)
Leola, an educator in the San Francisco Public Schools, earned the distinction of having a public school, Leola M. Havard Early Education School, San Francisco, CA, named in her honor during her lifetime News Article.
Leola completed her undergraduate education at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA and earned the M.A. at San Francisco State University. For thirty years, she was an elementary school teacher in the San Francisco Public Schools. Leola earned the distinction of becoming the first African-American woman administrator and principal during her tenure as a public school teacher. She was an active member of the Third Baptist Church, San Francisco. Leola also was a charter member of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority Beta Nu Chapter a professional educational organization in San Francisco, CA.
Cost
Free or reduced cost for income-eligible families. To see if you qualify, contact the Early Education Enrollment Office. Learn more about Cost & Fees.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted year-round and enrollment made on a rolling basis depending on openings. Learn about how to apply.
Contact Us
Dr. Melanie Spears, Principal
Rasheedah Grant and Luz Vilchez, Office Managers
1520 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
415-695-5660
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Before School Programs
Our before-school program accommodates students from 7:30 a.m. until their school buses transport them to their elementary schools. These services not offered during distance learning. -
After School Programs
The SFUSD Early Education Department administers the Out-of-School Time (OST) program at several SFUSD sites. These enrichment classes are held after school hours with full day sessions available during Spring and Summer breaks. OST classes are open to students from any elementary school as long as they meet the age requirements (grades TK-5). Qualifying families may take advantage of subsidized tuition depending on family size and gross income. Please contact the OST Secretary at the school site you would like to apply to for more information. These services are offered via distance learning on Google Classroom or Zoom. -
Special Education Programs
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Integrated General Education Class (PK only)
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Address
1551 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94124 -
Phone Number
415-695-5660 -
Fax Number
415-695-5421
Leola M. Havard Early Education School
Grades PreK
1520 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
Get directionsInstructional hours 7:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m.; Out-of-school-time care is available from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and from 2:30-5:45 p.m.