San Francisco Schools

School Choice in San Francisco

That's right, choice, and lots of it. What would you expect from a world class city? There are hundreds of outstanding public and private schools to consider. And, although there are a lot of choices, finding a school in SF can be kind of like finding a parking spot: it's hard, but it's worth it once you get to where you're going. Researching schools and the admissions process can seem daunting at times and require a great deal of your time, but you will be rewarded in the end. The majority of San Francisco schools, both private and public, reflect the wonderful ethnic, cultural and economic diversity of the city.

Remember when you were assigned to your neighborhood school, no questions asked? Well as you may know, in San Francisco, where a child lives is rarely considered a factor in where they go to school. One advantage to having so many schools to choose from is that you can actually weigh the pros and cons of each school and make a decision based on the needs of your child and/or family.

What kind of education are you looking for specifically? Public, private, charter? Specialties like language immersion? Want to see which schools are nearest to your home or office? Start the process with Zephyr's comprehensive school search to get maps, contact info, descriptions, test data and other statistics that can help you get going.

Public Schools

Public schools in San Francisco have a lot to offer, but sometimes you may have to look deep under the rough exterior before you find the hidden gem beneath. There is the daunting SFUSD lottery system, where you may wind up standing in line at the district office, sometimes numerous times. But again, your hard work will be rewarded. Just remember: bring snacks, those lines are long.

Each school is unique. Although they each follow district and state academic curriculum and testing, each offers a variety of extra programs, such as after-school care, special education, counseling and transportation. Numerous public schools also offer language immersion programs beginning at the kindergarten level.

In any economic crisis that California school districts go through, there will always be dedicated parents, teachers and administrators who are committed to making public school work. Volunteerism raises

Private Schools

Private school is a choice that many families do not think twice about. But some agonize choosing between the two. Again, weighing the pros and cons... How much tuition are you willing to pay and for how many years? Families who apply may be looking for a rich foundation in a specific area that only a private school can offer. There are schools that provide extensive arts programs, small class sizes, project-based curriculum, religion, all girl/all boy populations, etc. There are over 100 choices in private schools here in the City, both parochial and independent. In many private schools, volunteerism and fundraising may be required of families in addition to paying tuition. Consider all of your options before applying; tuition plus added costs (financial aid may be available in some schools), school environment, diversity, extended care, tutoring costs, technology, etc. Many families in San Francisco also consider applying to both private and public and then accept their favorite offer.