I feel like the education here was pretty good considering it was mostly in cantonese for k-3, and…read morefor 4-5 it was half-half. The things that do need work are the math (Since it was all in cantonese) and the science (We only started learning it in the 2nd half of the school year) Other than that, I would say that it is just an incredible school. I currently know cantonese fluently, and, I know a lot of math in a totally different language. I feel that this school should deserve at least a 4 star review.

My son is a student at this school and he has told me that the morning bus driver was screaming on…read morethe microphone just because we were talking in a normal voice. The teacher are nice especially the forth grade teachers Mr.phung and Ms.Wong they are pretty nice but it is only the morning bus driver.

We were involved in a hit and run accident in front of the school this morning. The person who hit…read moreus also hit another car as he fled the scene. We called the school to ask for the tapes and they refused. Their policy is not to release the tapes to anyone including the police. Do not rely on them to protect any of us.

Negatives: * Bad /…read moreinconvenient location for most SF residents * $32,000+ a year! * No part-time program, cancelled 4-days a week to earn more money * Feels like they are running a business, not a school with all their fundraising Positives: * Mandarin immersion You're paying $32,000+ a year for preschool folks. Don't be silly. Are you trying to raise kids to be clueless to how the rest of the world works? Are you trying to become like the parents that got busted by the FBI for the college admissions scandal? Come on now.

I have the privilege of working nearby and witnessing the good that goes on at Daniel Webster on a…read moredaily basis. The children are smiling and laughing, the teachers are very friendly and really seem to enjoy their jobs. The families seem to linger after drop-off to chat. There is a tremendous sense of community at Daniel Webster. I hope that my children will be able to attend there! See more at: www.danielwebster-sf.com

My daughter attended DW this last school year, and I'm giving it 3 stars only because her teacher…read moreMs. P was absolutely amazing. I was really excited to find out there was an available space for my daughter, but take heed, if your child isn't starting in Kindergarten and you aren't going to do the immersion program (Spanish introduced to the education) I would NOT recommend this school. It seems all the good kids are in the immersion classes and they've stuffed all the "others" within the General Ed. My daughters reading level barely progressed throughout the year (we had to do a whole lot of reading at home), and it was mostly due to the fact that the teacher spent the entire day just trying to get the kids to focus. There was a lot of bullying and kids that are trying to grow up extremely too fast and in all the wrong directions. Also, the parents aren't very nice or welcoming. The entire year I only got to know one parent in my daughters class. The staff is also not very nice. I understand dealing with kids can be rough, especially this crowd, but telling our kids to shut up and being flat out rude 85% of the time to not just them but the parents as well.... I don't agree with that. Having switched my daughter to Creative Arts, I already notice a HUGE difference... from parent participation, warm welcoming faces, not to mention the staff actually ENJOY their careers with children and it SHOWS! All things I did NOT experience at Daniel Webster. By far.

We have one child who graduated from The San Francisco School and two more still there. The school…read morelets each child explore who they are and develop their strengths while providing a very strong education. That's why I think it punches above its weight in high school admissions. It gently guides kids from simply being kids to being more than adequately prepared for the rigor of high school. The South Asian Affinity Group is great, and the Diwali cultural event is amazing. It's one of many cultural events that create a wonderful sense of community. Some of the parents have become lifelong best friends, and I wouldn't have met them had it not been for SFS. I believe kids leave SFS with far more than academic preparation. They come away with a strong sense of who they are and an amazingly high EQ.

This is my daughter's 4th year at The San Francisco School (we started in preschool 3), and we have…read morebeen very happy here so far! The teachers and staff are warm and nurturing, and the community is very down to earth and kind. We especially love the strong SEL program and excellent music program. We also very much appreciate the school's Extended Day (aftercare and summer camp offerings) as a family with two parents who work full-time. SFS rocks!

The bizarre review by Cali F. 4/9/12 prompted me to write. I think the extreme nature of that…read morereview should be a red flag, but Hamlin is far from a school where bullying is encouraged nor where "so many girls starved, cut and killed themselves because of torment from their peers." Maybe this person has an axe to grind? Hamlin is one of the best elementary schools in the Bay Area, even more amazing for the benefits of single-sex education. All the girls I know who graduated from Hamlin emerged as strong and confident young women, well-prepared for high school. You would be hard-pressed to find better teachers and a more wonderful head of school. An excellent school in every way.

I attended Hamlin's l. The regimen was quite rigorous which prepared me for high levels of academic…read morecompetition.

They had Chinese immersion program too, kids in this school learned and happy, teachers try their…read morebest to teach, and staffs support each other.

A great school, provides good monitors and teachers. Good classes, 5th grade teachers help students…read moreget ready for middle school. I suggest your kid to go to West Portal

If the whole world was a large Presidio Hill School, what a wonderful world it would be! It is a…read morekind, inclusive, community oriented progressive school. And where I first learned about non-violent communication. My granddaughters love going to school. I wish I had had the same experience when I was in school. They definitely instill the love of learning. The community of staff, teachers, students and guardians (parents and others) is strong, warm, and welcoming. At the beginning of the COVID confusion the school reached out, even to me as just a grandmother, to check in. They offered help if needed, in any form, and encouraged me to reach out at any time. The teachers and staff are all engaged, dedicated, communicative and tire-less. PHS "walks it's talk". My eldest granddaughter has been at PHS for 5 years. I've found myself loving this community more every year.

My daughter loves her school. She is in fifth grade now and began at Kindergarten. Art being her…read morefavorite subject. They have ceramics, painting and all kinds of creative projects. They go into the Presidio one-two times per week and value being outdoors and learning about nature. We have felt supported as a family with educational classes for parents, teachers and a counseling group with other kids when she needed it. The community of families share in volunteering for events and class outings, which brings together a close network. The teachers and staff have been wonderful and I can't say enough about how well they fostered her education, projects and time here. I'm so proud of who she has become and it's due to Presidio Hill's values and academics. I highly recommend Presidio Hill.

My son went to school here. It's an amazing school. The Principal, teachers and PTA are all…read moreoutstanding. When my son was there, Principal Rosina Tong was very caring and knew all of the students in the specials needs classrooms. She was very active in all of the events, classes, IEP meetings etc. She really cares about the students and the school is so blessed to have her. I went to middle school right next door at Giannini and Sunset used to be John O'Connell when I was in school. They've since relocated somewhere else and I'm so glad that Sunset is now in it's place because it's such a great school. The school is small but it is a very special school. I was hoping my little girl would be able to attend this school but we moved up north during covid. We have returned back to the city and are now at a different elementary school with SFUSD due to the lottery. I'm hoping we can get in next school year. I definitely recommend this school. We loved our time there.

Okay I went here and things changed a LOT…read more This place is wonderfully blessed with tons of caring teachers and staff. Makes me wish I was a kid again!

Small, adorable public elementary in Cole Valley. The teachers seem highly engaged and a visit to…read morethe morning circle demonstrates what a small, tight-knit community has formed around Grattan. We were very lucky to have had a choice, transferring in a few weeks into school. We chose Grattan over Alvarado and McKinley, as well as a few private schools at which we had reserved a spot (Sacred Heart, Katherine Michiels). We decided that a small public school experience in a cozy neighborhood would be best and haven't regretted it once. Highlights include parent volunteerism, which is highly encouraged--volunteers are made to feel an integral part of the school. A small student body means everyone knows your child's name and there are fun activities throughout the year for Grattan kids and their families. There is also an emphasis on exploring nature and cultivating kindness, which I found charming. I was happy with the K instruction offered and found the teacher to be kind but firm, and very experienced. The classroom environment was comfortable, inviting, with clearly-established routines softened by freedom to explore. In terms of school leadership, I think Mr. Reedy is doing a great job (I understand his predecessor was a principal of formidable talent). Mr. Reedy connects with both kids and parents, is passionate about what he does and obviously loves his job. The only drawback at Grattan is what I perceive as an overall lack of diversity. With the exception of Asian-americans, people "of color" seem under-represented. The result is a very homogenous feel, and less laughter and warmth than I observed at some of the Spanish-immersion schools, for ex (those from "warmer" cultures would know what I mean, so take that fwiw. And it's not as though you have a guaranteed spot at one of those highly over-subscribed immersion programs anyway.) Grattan parents are very friendly, however, and the school does go to some lengths to introduce multicultural elements in the coursework and field trips. And if you are passionate about diversity, the Boys and Girls club located 5 blocks away is an excellent option although most Grattan parents seem to choose the GASP or CDC after-school programs. Having experienced it for a year, I can understand why Grattan is a highly sought-after San Francisco public elementary. If you can overlook the lack of diversity, I'd put it on my top 10 list: it is a charming school offering a solid education in a tight-knit community.

I go to this school and it is the best school in San Francisco!!!!! My 3rd grade teacher took my…read moreclass to a GIANTS GAME!!!!!! Grattan is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Grattan!!!!!!!!!!

Please do not send your child to this school. That's honestly the first thought that pops into my…read moremind when I think about Brightworks. It's small and it's perfect and everything about it makes my daughter sigh and wish she could go to school on Weekends. I am able to home school my son this year, but I certainly dream of the day that both of them will be Brightworks students. Okay, go ahead and bring in your children. Everything that the team at Brightworks does - comes out amazingly well, so I'm sure they are capable of growing their school and keeping it as absolutely amazing. Please don't hesitate to contact me through a direct message. I'd be glad to take a half an hour out of our family time and bring my daughter to coffee where we can talk and our children can talk (as long as you have a social media presence that makes you present as "safe"). My baby girl will give you a review that will make 5 stars sound weak and she can tell your young one(s) what it's like to be a Brightworks kid (because I'd never send my children to any school unless they buy in first). PS: Yes, she is getting an above average education AND enjoying it.

Brightworks is a truly magical school! It has been a place of complete transformation for my child…read more As a seasoned educator who has taught in public and private schools in both the U.S. and internationally, I can confidently say that the Brightworks ethos and pedagogy embody what children need to thrive and succeed in our ever-changing world. We came to Brightworks when my older daughter was in 4th grade (also known as the Quartz band). She had previously attended another wonderful school--where my younger daughter continues to thrive--but it simply wasn't the right fit for her. By 3rd grade, she was taking three half-hour "bathroom breaks" each day, essentially the equivalent of cutting elementary school. She was being bullied by peers, had grown to hate the process of learning, and was beginning to believe that she was "dumb." She was also nearly two grade levels behind in reading. After exploring many schools, we discovered Brightworks. It wasn't flashy, but it immediately felt like the right place for her. Our first day was challenging. Although she had struggled at her previous school, she also found change difficult and was resistant to starting somewhere new. She refused to enter the classroom and instead ran up a tree in tears. The teacher (collaborator), Shirvan, responded with remarkable patience and warmth, reassuring me that my daughter could join the group whenever she felt ready. The administrators were equally phenomenal, offering compassion and support when they could see how embarrassed and overwhelmed I felt with my "spirited" child. About four hours later, she finally joined the class. Within just a few days, she loved school so much that she was sad when the day ended and disappointed when holidays approached. After each winter, spring, and summer break, she was thrilled to return. Within a year, she progressed from reading at a 2nd-grade level (e.g., Dog Man) to devouring upper elementary and middle school novels such as the Wings of Fire and Warriors series. She came to love school, the process of learning, her teachers, and her peers. She transformed from a wilted flower into a blossoming tree. The ethos of Brightworks is to meet children where they are and to approach learning through real-world contexts that spark their interests. Science and math are taught through hands-on exploration and authentic problem-solving, while reading and writing are developed through both personal interests and guided learning around social justice topics. Students gain genuine critical thinking skills alongside practical experience using shop tools. The multi-age, schoolhouse model allows older students to care for younger ones, fostering responsibility, empathy, and meaningful mentorship. Every collaborator is dedicated to guiding each child to become the best version of themselves. I only wish that all teaching and learning could be approached in the way Brightworks does.