The Renaissance International School is an independent, Montessori school with campuses in Oakland and Piedmont for boys and girls ages 2 years through middle school. Our program includes art, music and French and Spanish language immersion. Students become fluent in English, French and Spanish. The school was founded in 1992 by Leslie Hites, who continues to serve as Head of School.

We provide a high-quality education, from the toddler years, to preschool and through middle school, designed so that children become compassionate, capable, confident, creative individuals who are prepared for life. They succeed in high school, college and beyond.

Central to the school’s philosophy is to provide children with an international center of learning and culture that is open, supportive and multidisciplinary, where they develop and achieve their highest potential.

As a result, our students love school and love to learn. They thrive in our multicultural, multidisciplinary environment where they engage in individualized learning with a strong music, arts and language immersion component.

Our course of study has an integrated, thematic approach that is a strong element of Montessori. It ties the separate disciplines of the curriculum together into studies of the physical universe, the world of nature, and the human experience. While encompassing the full substance of the traditional curriculum, it goes beyond to teach students how to think clearly, conduct their own research, express themselves well in writing and speech and put their knowledge to a practical application.

Students in the primary (preschool) years begin learning a second language. They are taught in English and Spanish or English and French. At the Elementary level, students add a third language, bringing to bear a tri-lingual immersion program.

We offer a warm, supportive environment. We set a high standard of achievement for the quality of thought, work and mastery of content and skills. Our goal is to produce students with notable leadership and achievements.

TRIS is an extraordinary school and we feel extremely fortunate to have found it. - Susan, Parent of 5-year old.

Stu­dents from Oak­land, Berke­ley, San Lean­dro, Alameda, and other San Fran­cisco East Bay cities attend The Renais­sance Inter­na­tional School, located in Oakland’s Dimond District.