Helping Families Thrive in San Francisco

by Trisha Mammen

“From its beginning, Donum Dei has sought to serve families in San Francisco who are looking for both an exceptional education and a deeply nurturing spiritual experience. By offering a rich and meaningful learning environment, we believe parents who are called to work in this unique and vibrant city can truly thrive. This isn’t just good for the families, it’s good for our churches, and it’s good for our city.”

Our admissions team is in the peak of the enrollment season for the next academic year. We are growing significantly and expect to have waiting lists for the very first time in some of our grades. This is great news!

My favorite part of the admissions process comes as we sit with prospective parents in a final step of discerning together whether Donum Dei is right for their family. I always ask them to share their story-- where they grew up, where they went to school, how they met, and what led them to Donum Dei. We talk about what they sense as the mission of their lives and what they desire for their children. I love hearing how their journey as a family reflects the faithful provision of a God who is intimately shaping and forming the children they love so dearly.

This time with parents is truly sacred. Sometimes verbalizing the weight of raising children in San Francisco can bring honest tears that reflect a mix of vulnerability, weariness, and relief in knowing they are not alone in navigating their calling as parents. Coming alongside them as a school is an honor that both humbles and motivates us.

In the middle of one of these conversations recently, the couple sitting in my office described the career paths that had taken many unexpected turns and led them to San Francisco. They articulated a sense of purpose here that went far beyond job titles and the impracticalities of life in the Bay Area. They shared how their lives were steadied by an unwavering focus on glorifying God in their respective industries. Despite the challenges, they knew that remaining in San Francisco and investing in their community was essential to living out their faith and mission.

It felt, in that moment, that I was once again watching God answer the prayers of our founding team. From its beginning, Donum Dei has sought to serve families in San Francisco who are looking for both an exceptional education and a deeply nurturing spiritual experience. By offering a rich and meaningful learning environment, we believe parents who are called to work in this unique and vibrant city can truly thrive. This isn’t just good for the families, it’s good for our churches, and it’s good for our city.

These conversations with families cause me to marvel at the incredible community God is knitting among us. Every single family brings something unique and valuable and I believe the beauty of God’s heart for San Francisco is fully alive in the community of Donum Dei. It’s something we can’t take for granted!

This coming weekend, we will gather at our annual gala to celebrate what God has done over the past six years and what He surely will do in the years ahead. I remember looking across the room at last year’s event and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the people God has brought together in the good work of educating children and helping families fulfill their callings. What could be better?

If you have not reserved a seat for this event yet, I hope you will do that today. It matters to us that you’ll be there! Come for encouragement, inspiration, food, and some amazing auction items. But above all, come because it is so important that we keep telling each other the story of this school. Let’s lean into the mission of Donum Dei as part of the why each of us is planted in this city.