With 9 years of time at the school, I have noticed a decline in quality. As a student, I felt…read morereally connected and loved the school, but it has been going down, catering for parents over kids, and sometimes neglecting what is really needed. There were also many incidents where the school didn't take the proper actions and steps or punishments for inappropriate actions that happened at the school. (Multiple times) Overall though it is still a pretty good school, just not one I would necessarily pick again.

I transfered to SFDS after spending four years at another all boys, independent school in San…read moreFrancisco. The academics, particularly the technology curriculum, were top notch; I learned how to build websites as a 6th grader in the mid-90's! Compared to other private schools in the city, students at SFDS seemed much less pressured to succeed academically, but at the same time we all were accepted into excellent high schools and were in many cases much better prepared for the workload than students from surrounding elementary schools. As with any school, some teachers will always be better than others, and it's impossible to have an entire staff of all-stars. That being said, the great majority of the teachers and staff of the school during my five years there were excellent educators who made great efforts to teach to all levels of comprehension and speed. Socially, moving from an all-boys school to a co-ed institution was an adjust for me, but a welcome one. Compared to other independent schools in San Francisco, I felt my class was extremely diverse both culturally and socio-economically, and there certainly was never any preferable treatment for those on financial aid. Overall, SFDS is an excellent institution and one that I would not hesitate to recommend to any parent considering private schools in San Francisco.

We're a Stratford family with an 8th grader, and our experience has been extremely…read morepositive--especially in high school preparation and the overall school culture. The academics are strong and thoughtfully designed, and the teachers genuinely care about student growth. We've seen our child become more confident, independent, and ready for the increased expectations of high school. The support during the high school application process really stood out. The Principal and staff were engaged, responsive, and incredibly supportive throughout the process. Their experience and guidance helped reduce a lot of stress, and it's clear that Stratford students are well prepared and competitive when applying to some of the best high schools in San Francisco. We also truly value the diversity at Stratford. The school community includes students from many different backgrounds, which creates an inclusive and respectful environment. Our child has benefited from learning alongside peers with different perspectives, and it adds real depth to the overall experience. Communication has always been clear, and the school feels well-run and supportive. Looking back at our child's middle school years, we feel Stratford provided an excellent foundation for both academic success and personal growth.

Our daughter is an 8th grader at Stratford Middle School in SF, and we are grateful for the…read moreincredible role the school played in preparing her for high school. What stood out most was the strong academic foundation, strong teachers/staff, and like-minded students who wanted to excel in academics and activities. Stratford helped our daughter build strong study habits, discipline, independence, and the ability to manage a demanding workload. The teachers pushed her academically, but also supported her and helped her grow in communication, writing, public speaking, leadership, and overall confidence. The principal was also a major strength. He set high expectations around discipline, character, and behavior, which we believe are especially important in middle school. During the high school admissions process, his guidance was incredibly valuable, from parent presentations to interview prep, school prioritization, and being available to families. His relationships with high school admissions offices across San Francisco also came in handy. Overall, we are grateful for Stratford and would highly recommend it to families.

We have been so happy with TECA. Our two sons go there and we have been part of the TECA community…read moresince my older son was in T-K starting in 2019. The teachers at the school are great and my kids love going to school, and the school works hard to incentivize good behavior but also to make school fun. Many of the teachers and administrators have been there for years, which is a sign of stability and positive culture. A lot of the leadership started as teachers at the school so there is a real investment in the kids. TECA has a dual language (Spanish/English) pathway - slightly different from SFUSD in that they basically do 50/50% instruction throughout rather than 90/10 to start then changing as the years go on. The community is really lovely and there are a lot of parents who really care about their kids education and enriching the school. The PTA is working on plans to potentially redo parts of the playground, for example. It's also nice that it is a k-8 school, because the middle school part is much smaller than the other middle schools in the district. We feel so lucky to be part of the TECA community!

I 100% agree with people below . The language these children use is beyond disrespectful out of…read moreline, and out of pocket. My daughter been a student here for two year . my daughter who's biracial has been call N****r, she had student posting money picture online with her name on it . There has been time students was sending text of African Americans people picking cotton . Mr.Tumy who is the vice principal has been aware over everything I gave him name , showed pictures texts and Nothing has been done . His response has always been I seen these kids grow up I know the family and so on . He has done nothing but shown favoritism leaving my child to defend her self . this school has no diversity. The school is full of students and staff who are races, African-American students and biracial student goes unheard. unacknowledged. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO I've been told by other staff that I'm not the first biracial family to feel this way.

My wife and I transferred our children to New School when red flags from their previous school…read morebegan not only affecting their academic performance but also their emotional. We invested a lot of time and effort to find a school that could rekindle my eldest's natural curiosity and love of reading and math. My only regret is not enrolling my kids here in New School earlier. New School is everything what learning should be. The staff is genuinely enthusiastic, professional and committed to the philosophy of the CORE values of the district. The energy the staff at New School brings was the needed vibe to negate all the toxic experiences my children had to endure from their previous school. I inquire with my children each day as to how their day goes at New School. As a parent who only wants the best for my children, I am grateful for them to have been gained so much in the short time they have been enrolled. Recently, my son told me, "Dad! I understand Algebra now!" The excitement in his voice could had never been heard from during his time in his old school. I asked him, "What do you like about your new school?" He replied, "My teacher is very clear in explaining the material. They just don't give out work and tell us to figure it out without teaching us. Also, the lessons (his teacher) hands to us gives me the chance to be creative, And, I don't have to be afraid anymore when I ask a question. My old school would yell at me a lot." I truly believe the early experiences children gain influence not only their ability to learn, but also how they value themselves and others which are key components in creating that lifelong relationship with higher education. I cannot speak enough of how great New School is. I wish all schools could model their program.

Our child is in 7th grade at New School SF, and it's going very well. He's had excellent teachers…read more (A special thank you to Ms. Heather in 6th grade, so talented!) The school is high-performing. The curriculum is rigorous and thoughtful. Many of the field trips have been service projects, like serving a meal at Glide or removing invasive plants from Chrissy Field, which is wonderful for building character. They do a one-night camping trip in 7th grade. They hold all-school events that celebrate different cultures. There's an annual middle-school dance and class parties. They walk to Joe DiMaggio Park for PE three times a week. They have middle school sports teams. Conflict among the kids seems minimal. There's a good emphasis on equity. Downsides: The electives are limited because the school is small. They have a cafeteria that can be used as a community space, but no separate gym, and the yard is small. The commute from across town is tough, but we have a good carpool going. These downsides are outweighed by the fact that our child gets an excellent academic education in a friendly, safe, and professional environment. Public middle school in SF is tough, and we're very happy to be here.

Amazing school in Pacific Heights. Two foreign languages are taught from first grade - Spanish and…read moreMandarin. The children learn through ways that help them develop memory and concentration as well as social manners. Computers are not used in the classroom. People misunderstand anthroposophy. It is a nonsectarian approach without the pressure of a church and practiced to be inclusive of all students' religious beliefs.

This school played a very large part in destroying my life…read more I attended the waldorf grades school from k1-8th grade and transitioned to the waldorf high school after (all while paying full tuition). Due to some unfortunate events based on false allegations I was asked to leave the waldorf high school during my sophomore year. I lost all of my friends, everyone i had known for the past 15 years where ripped away from me. I remember crying in the principles office not being able to accept the words she uttered.. I remember my mom driving me home, it was silent in the car except for the sound of my tears dropping onto my northface. Since that day I was an outcast to the community I once called home. The waldorf school ruined my life, but everyday, I am healing from the wounds it left me.

Dear Jay D., I am so sorry for the unhappy school…read moreexperience, that is a Principal's worst nightmare for our kids. I took over in 2016-17 and I hope we have moved towards an academic and social emotional experience that is full of love, handling bullying, and helping parents to speak with each other regarding difficult friendships and respect amongst all. May God grant you a change in the positive direction for your future academic experiences. Current Principal 2022

Don't confuse the old, respected St. Brendan's School with what occupies the space today. The…read morebiggest bullies are the teachers and the principal and their toxicity has spread throughout the student body. The first grade teacher is wonderful and really stands out among the amateurs. The rest of the current staff is incapable of appreciating the individual talents of the children and the school has been dinged-repeatedly-on their accreditation report for not dealing with bullying and for not supporting critical thinking. SB used to be a "brand name"; now it's just an embarrassment. There are many good schools in SF where teachers work closely with families to provide an outstanding school/learning experience. Sadly St. Brendan's is not one of them. Unfortunately "no stars" is not an option.

I am posting this at the request of my daughter as our family's experience was the opposite from…read moresome of the recent concerning posts. We found our way to St. John's after leaving other schools due to bullying, and it was a turning point for us. Our journey to St. John's began after a difficult time at a small private school where the teaching environment was harsh -- too much yelling, derogatory remarks, and constant anxiety. We tried to tough it out because on paper it was a great school, but our child became withdrawn and her grades dropped -- completely out of character for her. We tried a larger public school next, but on the very first day, she was physically threatened by another student. We lasted only two days! We were lost. I cried for three days straight. My husband and I felt terrible for putting our child in such tough situations. Then came Ms. I. at St. John's. She welcomed our family with open arms and helped us navigate the paperwork so our daughter could attend orientation before the first day of school. From the moment our child walked into St. John's, we saw a visible change -- relief, joy, and confidence. That first week felt like a dream. After school, students hung out together at the village, grabbing ice cream and boba, and quickly settled into routines with sports, leadership meetings, and more. I cried again -- this time from relief. Our happy child was back. And she only grew from there. Yes, of course our child made mistakes, but the disciplinary process was fair and supportive. Ms. I, Coach Z, and several teachers stood by her, creating a village that truly supported our family. She applied to all the top high schools -- the ones everyone hopes to get into -- and was accepted into every one, including their honors programs. I credit St. John's teaching philosophy for this. Students are encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussions, and be themselves. It's not rigid or confining -- individuality is celebrated. Throughout our time there, families, teachers, administration, and especially Ms. I were always kind and welcoming. Whenever I had concerns, I felt safe voicing them. Meetings were arranged quickly, and even when we disagreed on outcomes, I always felt heard and respected. For 10+ years I have been actively involved with my children's schools, serving in various leadership roles such as Room Parent, Head Room Parent, Faculty Liaison and PTA. During this time, I consistently experienced respect, collaboration, and a strong sense of community from the administration. Though we were only there for two years -- 7th and 8th grade -- we consider ourselves Eagles for life. Our only regret is not finding St. John's sooner. With gratitude, Nenette & Family

Our Family's Experience at St. John's School…read more Our family has been part of St. John's for four years, and it's with sadness that we are withdrawing our children this week. Unfortunately, our experience has been deeply disappointing. Both of our children have faced ongoing bullying at the school. While many of the teachers genuinely care and do their best to support students, the principal consistently fails to take accountability or address serious concerns. Communication and organization at the leadership level are extremely poor. The principal often does not respond to emails, avoids meetings, and minimizes legitimate parent concerns. Promised resources and support services are routinely mentioned but rarely, if ever, implemented. The school itself also faces significant challenges it is underfunded, the facilities are outdated, and the bathrooms are consistently unclean. These issues have persisted for years without improvement. We had truly hoped for a different experience, but based on our time here, we cannot recommend St. John's School. There are other schools in the area that offer stronger leadership, better communication, and a more supportive environment for children and families.

A hidden gem! My…read moredaughter attends preschool here (after previously attending a very well-regarded SF private preschool, which we also liked very much) and its been a suprisingly wonderful experience. We were at first wary, given SFUSD's lackluster reputation, but we've been very impressed with the educational and social environment at SF Public Montessori. Ms. Mary, our daughter's preschool teacher, has a great relationship with our daughter and all the other kiddos, and really tailors her approach to each kid, so that they all thrive. I can't speak to how it is in the elementary school side of things, but I'm hopeful that it will be as great an experience as the preschool.

I love this school. My son attends preschool here. He receives loving attention in a…read morewell-structured classroom from excellent educators, and he is thriving. The front office staff are kind and caring. I almost sent my son to a private preschool, and we are getting so, so much more at SFPM--a big beautiful school, additional programs and supports. The thing that touches me the most is the educational freedom that children have at this school. After becoming hooked on Montessori education, I'm pretty sure I'll have to build my plans around keeping him here. I don't want to see him sitting at a desk, bored, like I was as a kid. I will be happy when the renovation is done and a)there is a full playground b) it's easier to park.