The playground was converted from a parking lot. Synergy School was founded in 1973 as a teacher's co-op on Castro Street. They had 18 students, grades 1 through 6, and 3 founding teachers. They are influenced by the ideas of Alfred Adler, which emphasized logical and natural consequences rather than reward and punishment. In 1979, the school moved to Grove Street with 65 students and 8 teachers. The classes were mixed grades, used a buddy system, and curriculum was theme based - all still used today. In 1999, the school moved to Valencia Street with 190 students, grades K-8, and 30 staff members. In 2011/12, the tuition of the school was $14,800; 1/3 of students received financial aid. See previous slides for a view of the original mortuary house on this lot.
