SchoolBus_MarioSánchezPrada school field trip ideas

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Each year, more than 1,600 schools visit the Academy on a field trip. School field trips are available for formal school groups bringing grades preK-12, including preschool, on a trip with their classroom teacher. Bring one class, or the entire grade!

Eligibility and Pricing

School field trip reservations are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool, attending on a school day with their classroom teacher.

  • To receive the school group rate, you must bring more than 10 people on your field trip, entering the building together at one time.
     
  • San Francisco school groups receive free admission during the academic year.
     
  • For other California school groups, pricing is a flat rate of $11.95 per person, whether student or adult chaperone. We are proud to offer this heavily discounted admission prices to schools regardless of Title I status.
     
  • Eligibility for these free or discounted rates is at the discretion of the Academy, as subsidized admission is available thanks to generous annual donations to the Academy for All initiative.
     
  • Payment must be received in full at least two weeks prior to your visit date, although you may modify your headcount before submitting payment. We accept mailed checks or payment by credit card over the phone to 877-227-3311.
     
  • More details can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions, and you'll sign these School Group Guidelines on the morning of your field trip.
COVID-19 Policies

The Academy will not ask any adults or minors visiting as part of a school field trip to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot to gain entrance to the museum. We still strongly encourage all guests to stay up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required, while indoors.

Tips for Planning a Visit Date

Generally, field trips can be scheduled on most dates with the exception of holidays and school breaks.

Please note that the Rainforest exhibit is expected to be closed for annual maintenance on the following seven dates: September 13-14, 2022; January 24-26, 2023; May 9-10, 2023. If you attend on one of those dates, your students may not enter the Rainforest dome.

For those interested in our newest exhibits:

For those interested in reserving seats in the Morrison Planetarium for your school group, be sure to review the calendar of student shows to select a date when a grade-appropriate show is playing.

For additional planning tips and day-of resources, visit our Plan a Field Trip page.

Seeking transportation scholarships?

Schools from the 9 Bay Area counties may be eligible for the Let's Go Field Trip Fund from the Environmental Volunteers, Excursion Grants from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, or free BART tickets through Yoots.

Schools from Oakland should check out the A to Z Fund.

Find a reserved program

6th Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: General Audience

This show is offered daily at 11:30 am from April 21-28, 2023, to celebrate International Astronomy Day.

3rd Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: General Audience

This show is offered on most weekdays at 12:30 pm throughout the school year.

3rd Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Wednesdays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

6th Grade - 8th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Wednesdays at 10:30 am from October to February.

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Mondays, Thursday, and Fridays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

Book a Field Trip

The application for the 2022-2023 school year is now open!

Do you teach elementary school in San Francisco?

The Rock Fund Program is open to K-5 classes in the city of San Francisco. This unique opportunity includes free field trip programming and needs-based transportation scholarships.

We Thank Our Sponsors

The School & Youth Field Trips program is generously supported by an anonymous donor, BioMarin, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Hearst Endowed Fund for Science Education, Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation, and Koret Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Academy’s local business donors.

Biomarin and Koret Foundation logos.