Shared Schoolyard Project
Welcome to the Shared Schoolyard Project Community Initiative, a joint partnership between the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District and Community Partners.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Link to this section
To build a deeper understanding of the Support needed from the Shared Schoolyard Program to schools, neighborhoods, and communities, we have invited everyone to participate in the SSYP Improvement Survey. If you would like to request a particular site to join SSYP, please fill out this form. More feedback from the community, the bigger chances to open up the schoolyard on the weekend.
The Shared Schoolyard Program is preparing for this 2023 Summer Season
Link to this section
We are working hard to increase public space for San Francisco families to get out into the community on weekends in this post-pandemic recovery time. To help facilitate this Summer Together Programs initiative, we ask all available school sites to participate in the Shared Schoolyard Program. SSYP has two-fold participation options. The first option is opening the schoolyard gates for public use, and the second option is to provide a variety of programs to the City residents free of charge. Below please find a list of the Program benefits.
For any school interested in partnering with the Shared Schoolyard Program, please send an email to SSYP@sfusd.edu or program manager MiakininaY@sfusd.edu.
Schoolyard Funds
The Shared Schoolyard Program is committed to improving the schoolyards for participating sites. In addition, the Program can assist with sports equipment and outdoor activities supplies.
SSYP would support site monitoring and green site support for schools whose yards have just been improved over school breaks. In addition, the Program allocates funds to assist with plant watering, yard washing, and cleaning. Please email your request to the mail email at SSYP@sfusd.edu.
School Activities Funds
This year we are excited to make a significant push to support schools to avail their yards to communities on weekends with grants.
Please complete this application and complete an SFUSD Facilities Use Permit Application to apply for funds. The Form can be found on the SFUSD website under “Doing business with SFUSD” and “Using and Renting SFUSD Facilities.”
Programing Funds
SSYP is committed to opening schoolyards for children and their families on weekends, with the intent to enhance the safe outdoor experience for both the school and the surrounding neighborhood.
SSYP offers portable restrooms and handwashing stations for day use. In addition, SSYP offers Schoolyard Docents hired and trained by SFUSD to enforce social distance as needed lightly.
Any CBO or Non-profit organization interested in providing programs or services on weekends is welcome to apply by filling out this application.
Garbage, Graffiti, or Damage
Any damage to the school or yard, graffiti, or garbage left behind after Shared Schoolyard Project hours and use is covered by the program. Currently, we have custodial closing gates and cleaning up at the end of the day. Should an incident occur, please complete this form or send an email to SSYP@sfusd.edu or program manager MiakininaY@sfusd.edu. Please allow at least one business day for the program team to respond. Our goal is to return the schoolyard on Monday morning in the condition it was left on Friday afternoon.
Program contacts: Link to this section
For more information on the Shared Schoolyard Program, contact us at ssyp@sfusd.edu or directly connect with the Program Manager - Yelena Miakinina at MiakininaY@sfusd.edu or call at 415-308-6596.
This page was last updated on March 12, 2025