Serendipity preschool turns 30

“They were really comfortable, this was really their place,” Kong said.

About to celebrate its 30th year, Serendipity School was founded with the core values of individuality, discovery and community, said Head of School Meaghan Carr, daughter of founders Sandy and Eben Carr.

The school opened initially as a preschool located on a hilltop location in San Mateo and, after increasing demand, the elementary school campus opened its doors in Belmont in 2002. The elementary school continues education rooted in the same values of social and emotional learning established in preschool. 

“Kids feel seen and celebrated and that they matter and they love their school and I think that’s a big part of the magic behind what we do,” Carr said. “Our kids, they’re not just a number, they truly are seen on campus, there’s no sort of slipping through the cracks.” 

The play-based school aims to give a hands-on exploration and multi-sensory approach to education, Preschool Director Laurie Cerefice said. Thematic projects “sneak in” big-idea lessons for young students in an age-appropriate way,

For Kong, this balance between play and academics was just the right fit for her children.  

“It seemed very student-led and a good cycle where their happiness led to more engagement and that engagement and ownership led them to be happy,” Kong said. 

Created against the backdrop of competitive Silicon Valley academia, Carr said choosing to enroll your child in Serendipity means understanding that  “it’s not solely about academics.”  

“It’s everything socially, emotionally that helps to support the academics, because our kids aren’t afraid to ask questions, they’re not afraid to make mistakes,” Meaghan Carr said. “Failure is not a bad word at Serendipity. It’s really about, you’re never a whole complete person, you should be 80 and still learning.” 

With her eldest daughter just graduating fifth grade, Angela Kuo said she can see how Serendipity has instilled confidence in her former wallflower.

“Having that whole child mentality is what I think will help my kid survive and succeed in middle school,” Kuo said. “She isn’t afraid of a lot of things. She knows how to look for creative solutions as well.”

The individualized approach is seen among parents with two children who have gone through the schools. While Kuo’s younger son was more of a “golden retriever” who teachers had to make sure remained attentive, it took some time for her daughter to grow out of her shyness. 

“Over the years with the Serendipity School being so good and welcoming them and recognizing them, my kids just bloomed,” Kuo said. “[My daughter] went from that wallflower and then ran for vice president in fourth grade, president in fifth grade, played the wicked witch in a school play. She’s a changed child.” 

While the preschool was recently named the best in the area by the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, Cerefice said she really knows the school is working when she can hear students beg their parents to stay on campus just a little longer. 

“We always say, why do parents have to choose between a good education and a happy childhood?” Carr said. “Why can’t they be one and the same? I think that joy in education is a critical ingredient. Our kids don’t want to leave at the end of the school day.”

While it may be more common for parents to enroll their children in private preschool, the abundant public elementary schools in the area led Kong to assume that was the route they would go. But after seeing how the same values continued on to the elementary school, they pivoted to extend their children’s time with Serendipity. 

Kuo said they were choosing between Serendipity Elementary and another private school her husband went to as a child. But when the acceptance note came from Serendipity, she said it was an obvious choice. 

“They had a summary about what they thought about [our daughter], a clear picture of our kid, and they identified all these personality things they observed during the one day we went in for a play interview,” Kuo said. “It was a really cute way of saying ‘we see your kid.’”

After serving children in their very formative ages for three decades, Carr said there’s a lot more consistency throughout the years than one might assume. She attributes this to the school’s priority of making kids happy. 

“Even though there are trends in education, the heart of Serendipity has remained steadfast,” she said. “Our kids, who they are as people, continue to be balanced, well-rounded, amazing human beings.”

ana@smdailyjournal.com

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