Your help is welcome here. We can use volunteers, tutors, computers, and money, too.
Find out more»
Volunteer | Donate | Equipment | List of Donors
Like kids? Pirates? Photocopying? 826 Valencia is looking for interns!
Come exercise your writing skills, work directly with teachers and students, and gain valuable experience in the many aspects of educational programming and event planning.
More information about internships
Thursday, June 26
Writing and Publishing the Short Story
6–9 PM
Join us for an evening discussion on writing and publishing short stories. Our moderator, Eli Horowitz, publisher of McSweeney's, will lead an expert panel in a conversation about the craft of writing shorter fiction. Panelists include Judy Budnitz, Nona Caspers, Ann Cummins, and Eric Puchner.
Each spring, 826 Valencia awards scholarships to Bay Area students planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college. This year's deadline for applications has been extended to Saturday, March 22, 2008.
Teacher of the Month Deadline
Submissions for the Teacher of the Month Award are due on the 15th of each month of the school year.
Passing Notes
Ever been trapped in a classroom... more »
See the whole Writing Gallery »
Our college scholarship winners write us monthly updates on their first year of college.
Charly's Second Quarter
I have finished my second quarter at Santa Clara University.
by Charly Uc
Its all about the students. Learn more about our mission»
En Español | F.A.Q. |
Our (Mostly volunteer)Staff
Drop-in tutoring:
The hours are 2:30–5:30 PM, Monday–Thursday, and on Sundays from 2:30–4:30 PM.
Visit us:
826 Valencia St.
SF, CA 94110
Call us:
415.642.5905
E-mail us:
Have a question?
Ask one of us.
This calendar includes special events and fundraisers, field trips that schools take to 826 Valencia, days when we send our tutors out to schools to assist teachers in the classroom, and other events that we consider of note. View our whole events calendar to get a good look at everything we have going on at 826.
Tuesday, May 13Storytelling with Alamo Elementary
May Lee's first graders travel to our writing lab and attempt to win over the cantankerous Mr. Blue. But will it work out? ...more
Wednesday, May 14
Storytelling with Guadalupe Elementary
Will Federico's second grade students journey to our center and write a brand new story. How will Mr. Blue react? ...more
Thursday, May 15
Storytelling with Guadalupe Elementary
Tanya Foerschler's second grade students visit 826 to create a dynamic, original story. ...more
Friday, May 16
Straight-Up News
The Everett Middle School "Straight-Up News" student journalists are entering their exciting fourth year of investigative journalism, feature writing, comics, and engaging interviews....more
Monday, May 19
Interesting I-Search
826 Valencia volunteers help eighth graders at Horace Mann Middle School finalize their drafts of papers on topics ranging from composers of video game music to the San Francisco Earthquake....more
Tuesday, May 20
Bookmaking with San Francisco Day School
Andrea Green's first graders come to our writing center to develop a brand new, highly original story. ...more
Wednesday, May 21
Storytelling with Spring Valley Elementary
Kara Carpenter's second grade students visit 826 to write a brand new story! ...more
Thursday, May 22
Interesting I-Search
826 Valencia volunteers help eighth graders at Horace Mann Middle School finalize their drafts of papers on topics ranging from composers of video game music to the San Francisco Earthquake....more
Friday, May 23
Straight-Up News
The Everett Middle School "Straight-Up News" student journalists are entering their exciting fourth year of investigative journalism, feature writing, comics, and engaging interviews....more
Tuesday, May 27
Bookmaking with Buena Vista Elementary
Evan Vandommelen-Gonzalez's students journey to our writing lab to craft a brand new tale. How will it go over with our cranky editor? We'll get back to you on that one. ...more
Friday, May 30
Straight-Up News
The Everett Middle School "Straight-Up News" student journalists are entering their exciting fourth year of investigative journalism, feature writing, comics, and engaging interviews....more
Friday, June 6
Straight-Up News
The Everett Middle School "Straight-Up News" student journalists are entering their exciting fourth year of investigative journalism, feature writing, comics, and engaging interviews....more
Tuesday, June 10
Annual Young Authors' Book Release Party
Please join the authors of Gateway High School and 826 Valencia for a reading and reception honoring the student's hard work and dedication! ...more
At San Franciscos only independent pirate supply store, we offer a variety of goods, including lard, flags, eye patches, mops, glass eyes and the like. All proceeds from the store go toward the writing center resting directly behind it.
You'll also find a great selection of books and periodicals by 826 Valencia students.
Store hours:
12–6 PM Every day
826 National is a family of seven nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing at seven locations across the country.
Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
Each chapter offers drop-in tutoring, field trips, workshops, and in-schools programs — all free of charge — for children, classes, and schools with particular interests or particular needs.
826 is especially committed to supporting teachers, offering services and resources for English language learners, and publishing student work. Several locations offer unique retail experiences as well.









