Our Story
Circus Center's journey began in 1974 with the founding of The Pickle Family Circus, a pioneering troupe that ignited the circus renaissance in the United States. In 1984, members of this iconic group established the San Francisco School for Circus Arts, which was later renamed Circus Center in 2001. Located in the historic West Gym of Polytechnic High School, Circus Center has evolved into a premier institution for circus arts training on the West Coast. With a diverse curriculum that includes clowning, acrobatics, aerial arts, and contortion, Circus Center invites individuals of all ages to experience the creativity and wonder of circus.