The application for the 2024–2025 school year is now open! For any questions or concerns, please email teachers@calacademy.org.
Who can apply for a field trip?
School Field Trips are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool, attending with their classroom teacher when school is in session.
When can we visit?
Generally, field trips can be scheduled on all dates with the exception of school breaks and holidays.
How much does it cost?
San Francisco school groups are admitted free. Other California school groups pay heavily discounted rates subsidized by donations to the Academy for All fundraising effort; pricing may change seasonally. During the 2024-2025 school year, the field trip rate is $15.95 per person.
How many students can I bring?
You can include up to 10 classes of 36 students on each online application. If you need to bring a larger group, simply submit a second application for the extra classes, using the same preferred visit dates.
How many chaperones should I bring?
Please refer to the following chaperone limits depending on the age of your group. The Academy works hard to accommodate students with special needs; if your group has a valid reason for requiring additional adult chaperones, please indicate as much in your application.
- Preschool
Minimum: 1 adult per 8 students
Maximum: 1 adult per 2 students - K-8
Minimum: 1 adult per 8 students
Maximum: 1 adult per 4 students - High School
Minimum: 1 adult per 15 students
Maximum: 1 adult per 4 students
Can I bring more chaperones if I’ve exceeded the limit?
To an extent. However, you must pay full admission price, rather than the subsidized school group price, per extra adult, and we may not be able to accommodate all extra adults. If you have an excessive amount of parent interest that is unwarranted for maintaining safety and encouraging learning on your trip, please inform some parents that you have filled the slots for chaperones. Please note that Memberships do not apply to school groups, as this could create an equity issue.
How can we see a Planetarium show?
School groups may attend a Planetarium show if they have made a reservation; these seats are requested when you apply for a field trip online, and your field trip confirmation email will indicate if we were able to seat your students in a show on your preferred visit date. Review the calendar of student shows to see when particular topics are playing, and what grades are most appropriate for each. Walk-up reservations for the planetarium are not permitted for those attending using school group pricing subsidized by other donors. If you don’t see a show on your confirmation, inform your chaperones to avoid the dome and instead take advantage of the rainforest, aquarium, and so much more!