Who we are
About The Public Chat
We’re three SFUSD parents who got tired of watching families opt out of public school based on vibes, rumors, and outdated information. So we built the resource we wished we’d had.
Our mission
The Public Chat is a nonprofit dedicated to improving community engagement with public schooling in San Francisco. We believe that when families engage with public schools, everyone benefits — the kids who enroll, the schools themselves, and the broader community.
Public school enrollment is declining in SF, and it’s not because the schools are bad. It’s because the narrative hasn’t caught up with the reality. We’re trying to fix that — one conversation at a time.
We oppose opportunity hoarding. We acknowledge that enrollment depends on real systemic factors. And we work with local partners to address those, too.
Nonprofit registration pending. EIN 42-2358894.
Currently focused on SFUSD. Built to expand when the time is right.
What we do
Community events
We host playdates and show up at community events across SF — not to lecture anyone, but to be available when families have questions.
Parent-to-parent outreach
Trained ambassadors share data-backed talking points with preschool families. A neighbor is more convincing than a brochure.
School materials
We give SFUSD schools free templates for enrollment season — flyers, social posts, talking points. See The Toolkit.
Want to offer your school’s story as a resource? See The Toolkit →
The board
Sutro Elementary
Kaitlin Solimine
Co-Founder
Brings deep community connections and a commitment to data-driven storytelling. Her kid is in second grade and she's already recruiting preschool parents.
Flynn Elementary
Autumn Brown Garibay
Co-Founder
Combines grassroots organizing with a dedication to making sure every family has access to honest information — not just the families who know where to look.
Rosa Parks Elementary
Kyle Woodward
Co-Founder
Handles data operations and empirical analysis. Believes most of the skepticism about SFUSD dissolves when you look at the actual numbers.
Join us.
We’re looking for parents, data people, designers, and anyone who’s been converted by actually sending their kid to SFUSD.
Become an Ambassador