Enrollment is conducted on a rolling basis for many of our adult workshops, while our core Youth, Teen, and Certificate Programs typically follow a semester-based schedule aligned with the academic year, with registration opening several months in advance of the start date to allow for proper planning and material acquisition. You can find detailed course descriptions, prerequisite information, and the current registration links directly on the Programs/Services page of our website, or you are welcome to contact our administration office via email for personalized guidance on selecting the most appropriate class for your skill level and goals. We strongly recommend registering early, particularly for our highly popular Integrated Arts Programs, as class sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure the highest instructor-to-student ratio and maximize personalized, hands-on learning opportunities for everyone involved.

The safety and well-being of all participants is our absolute highest priority, especially within the specialized environments of the professional kitchen and the art studio. Our Culinary Arts facility strictly adheres to all current San Francisco County health department regulations, and all equipment is commercial grade, regularly inspected, and operated under constant, direct supervision from Chef-instructors who hold advanced food safety certifications. In the Fine Arts studios, we use only non-toxic, professional-grade materials, and we provide thorough instruction on the safe handling and ventilation of all chemicals, pigments, and tools, ensuring a secure and supportive learning environment for all ages.

Our educational curriculum is structured modularly, moving from foundational techniques to advanced, integrated project work over the course of a program, with a clear focus on experiential learning over purely theoretical lectures. Assessment in our programs is continuous and formative, relying heavily on instructor observation, constructive peer critique, and the completion of practical projects and portfolios rather than traditional written exams. This approach ensures that evaluation is based on demonstrated skill mastery, artistic progress, and professional execution, providing participants with meaningful, actionable feedback on their creative development.

For all full-day programs, particularly in our Youth and Teen tracks, we provide nutritious and wholesome snacks and beverages, and we occasionally incorporate a hands-on lunch preparation component as a practical culinary lesson. We are fully committed to accommodating all documented food allergies, dietary restrictions, and specific medical needs; we require all participants to clearly outline these details during the registration process so that our culinary team can ensure a safe and inclusive environment for every student.

Our diverse schedule is designed to accommodate various community needs, offering daytime, evening, and weekend class options to suit students of all ages and working professionals. Detailed attendance expectations are provided for each specific program; while we understand that occasional absences occur, consistent attendance is crucial for skill retention and project continuity, especially in the cohort-based nature of our professional certificate programs. We ask that all participants communicate any planned absences with their instructor or the administration team as far in advance as possible to help maintain class momentum and facilitate any necessary make-up guidance.

While parents are not permitted to remain in the classroom during scheduled instruction time, which is dedicated solely to student focus and instructor-led activity, we strongly encourage parental and family involvement through our designated events. We regularly host scheduled open house events, family art workshops, and end-of-program exhibitions and tasting showcases where families can proudly observe and celebrate the work created by their loved one, reinforcing the importance of their creative pursuits and fostering a shared passion for the arts at home.