Katherine Michiels School

The Katherine Michiels School, founded by Katherine Michiels in 1976, is an innovative preschool and daycare in the Bay Area. Michiels was inspired by David Giveans’ teachings on progressive early-childhood education and traveled to London and various cities and countries to study educational facilities. The school initially started on Irving Street with 13 families and has since grown to include multiple locations, infant care, a full elementary program, and YUM Chefs. In 1995, a group of KMS parents established Open Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the KMS philosophy and providing quality child care for low-income families in the Bay Area. Open Mind, which now owns and operates the KMS elementary program, supports the school through scholarship programs, diversity initiatives, and teacher-retention plans. Today, KMS consists of two separate schools: the Elementary, After School, Enrichment, Summer Camp, and YUM Chefs programs are owned by Open Mind, while the Infant/Toddler and Preschool programs are owned by Katherine Michiels School, Inc. Both schools follow the KMS CARE philosophy and celebrate diversity through events like International Feast Day and Family Day.