SFUSD Secured Temporary Mandarin School Site
The district will launch a new TK-8 Mandarin immersion program at 1670 Noe St. starting in fall 2027.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Language Learning
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Families seeking Mandarin immersion options in the public school system will have a new choice as the San Francisco Unified School District prepares to open its first public TK-8 program. The district has secured the Mission Education Center on Noe Street to house the school's initial operations.
Why it matters
The decision follows sustained requests from district families for expanded language immersion opportunities within public schools. Whether this temporary site eventually leads to a permanent solution remains the central question as the district moves toward its 2028 relocation goal.
The school will launch with one transitional kindergarten class and three kindergarten classes. While the program intends to serve grades K-8, the district has yet to finalize its permanent campus selection.
The players
San Francisco Unified School District
The local public education agency responsible for managing school sites and academic programming.
San Francisco Board of Education
The elected governing body that oversees district policy and previously rejected a Mandarin charter school proposal in 2025.
Hiba Academy
A private educational institution that opened in September 2026 at 99 Rhode Island St.
The details
The district has designated 1670 Noe St. as the temporary home for the new Mandarin immersion school. Officials are currently forming a community working group to evaluate long-term options, with a formal announcement regarding a permanent site expected in January 2027. The school is slated to transition to its permanent facility by fall 2028.
Timeline
September 2026: Hiba Academy opened at 99 Rhode Island St.
September 24, 2026: SFUSD announced the temporary site.
January 2027: District expects to announce a permanent school site.
Fall 2027: The new Mandarin immersion school opens.
Fall 2028: The school plans to move to a permanent site.
Across the Bay
This move follows the 2025 rejection of a Mandarin immersion charter school by the Board of Education. By launching its own program, the district is opting for a direct administrative approach to language immersion rather than the charter model previously considered.
Families interested in enrollment should prepare for the fall 2027 launch, which begins with transitional kindergarten and kindergarten entry. Keep watch for updates in early 2027 when the district identifies the permanent campus location.
The takeaway
The district is moving ahead with its own public Mandarin immersion model after previous charter efforts failed to gain approval. Families should track the upcoming working group process to stay informed about the eventual permanent campus selection.
What happens next
The district plans to announce the permanent school site in January 2027.
Further reading
You can find more updates on local language programs in our Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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