About us

The Scandinavian School was founded in 2002 by a group of mothers in San Francisco who wanted to provide Scandinavian language and cultural immersion for their children. The first of its kind in the U.S., the School was created on the fundamental Scandinavian values of democracy, gender equality, progressive thought, global citizenship, experiential learning, empathy, sustainability, intrapreneurship, and inclusion.

We experienced rapid growth and expansion as our reputation spread among Bay Area communities, and in 2008, driven by demand and capitalizing on the organization’s evolved mission to inspire lifelong experiential learning built on Scandinavian values, we began offering cultural workshops and language classes for all ages.

Today the Scandinavian School & Cultural Center (SSCC) provides 20+ cultural events and more than 50 language classes each year for both children and adults, serving Bay Area residents at three locations--San Francisco, Menlo Park, and Marin. The School’s full-time preschool language and cultural immersion program continues to thrive at its San Francisco location. Close to 300 students and community members come through the doors at our two Bay Area locations each week. The SSCC is an inclusive community that welcomes those of Nordic and non-Nordic descent alike.