You'll wish you could be a kid again and go here!…read more This school is incredible - the teachers, staff, and students alike! The ethos of the school focuses on children as changemakers, the idea that each student has the ability to change the world. Within this framework, they center the child, and focus on "knowing the child well" and the child "knowing themselves well". The kids learn from a young age what makes them thrive (what environment, what tools, what topics interest them, what their growth areas are), giving them self-reflection and self-understanding skills which they will take with them for their whole lives. The school also focuses on instilling a growth mindset with the power of "yet", the idea that anyone can learn to do something new at any age. My absolute favorite school saying by far is "mistakes are magic"... Can you imagine growing up thinking that mistakes are just a part of learning and nothing to be ashamed or feel guilty about? I wish I could go back in time and attend this school!

We're in our second year as parents at Live Oak School, and we've been very pleased with the…read moreexperience. Our daughter loves going to school and really has enjoyed the teachers and staff, the lunch program, and the the experience to date. Things We Really Liked: * Weekly Field Trips in Kindergarten, which helps the students get to know the community / city and get comfortable with public transportation and exploring. Several also involve parents driving, which is a great opportunity to meet a lot of kids and other parents. * AnjiPlay, which helps promote exploration and team work, while also introducing a hint of "risky play". * Camp Live Oak, every year the entire school community goes to camp in May for 3 days, two nights. It's a wonderful and unique community building experience. * School lunch (included with tuition) program is great * Facilities are great - fairly light-filled former Hillsbro building in Potrero Hill, most classrooms have great natural light, Jackson Park is across the street. One of the few schools with a climbing wall (and will now have climbing as a middle school class). Small gym on sight, with UCSF nearby to support sports. * Very thoughtful and intelligent curriculum that they continue to respond to feedback on. They are expanding the Spanish program (currently starts in 4th) to encompass K-8. They are trying a new 8th grade capstone trip this year (traditionally DC) to be Civil Rights movement focused -- Memphis - Alabama - Atlanta. Things to Consider / Areas Could improve * The school doesn't come out of the gate hard in academics in kindergarten, ie they stay pretty light on reading, writing, and math the first year. This ramps up - for some kids very quickly - in first grade. This is probably ok, but parents should be prepared / aligned with it. Know that Live Oak 8th Graders place very well at the more academic high schools in San Francisco. They know themselves well, and they are prepared academically. * Extended Day Program. There are great hours of coverage (730 - 6pm, and holiday care on many of the days there is school off) available for working families. The enrichment programs leave a bit to be desired -- particularly the sign-up process. they seen to have way too few slots and getting a slot is like getting a Yosemite campsite. Soccer program is good. Be prepared to augment this outside of school if you have strong desires.

Middle school students poorly behaved and the head of the school has a hair trigger and very…read morespiteful individual.

I was a student here from 1995-2001,…read more This is a very unique alternative school, With an extremely unique culture. The quality of the teaching staff was very hit or miss & when they missed they missed very hard.

We started at St. Paul's as a transfer family from SFUSD several years ago, and I can confidently…read moresay that it was an excellent decision that I wish we'd made sooner. My kids are thriving at the school thanks to the excellent teachers, high level of academics, and warm community environment. My kids especially love all the extracurriculars during school hours - Spanish, library, music, technology and PE class, as well as the extended care program where they can finish homework, play outside, and socialize (screen-free) with their friends. My kids have also taken advantage of the fun rotating specialized after school enrichment class options (like chess, Lego STEM, sewing, sandcastle building, tennis, etc), as well as the CYO sports teams. With respect to academics, teachers tailor instruction for kids individually as needed, so students can work to their highest ability, whether they're ahead of the curve or need a little extra help to catch up in a subject. There is also a learning support specialist to assist students. The community of families and staff feel like the village everyone talks about - people are kind and truly care about one another. We've always felt very safe at the school, both on the physical property and neighborhood, and from things like bullying. Teachers are very responsive to our questions and concerns, and the principal, Ms. Jacqueline Curran, is amazing. She has deep family ties to St. Paul's and truly has a heart for the school and community. We highly recommend St. Paul's for any family looking for a K-8th grade school in San Francisco!

I cannot with clear conscience recommend St. Paul's Elementary. On several occasions my wife and I…read morecomplained of bullying and a threat of gun violence and NOTHING was done. This issue spanned across the tenures of 3 different principles. The only reason we stayed was because we were assured that the problem would be rectified, which it was not. Your kids are better off elsewhere.

This school is owned by a foreign corporation interested in profits only. Your children will not be…read moreprioritized here, the management and upper management are dull, impossible to talk to and your voices as parents will be suppressed. Stay away from this outfit, find a school that cares about your children.

In a sea full of choices and endless tours, I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for when I was…read morenavigating the SF Bay Area schools, but I had enough experiences to know what I didn't want. My experience at Stratford has been nothing short of exceptional! Ms. Rachel and the entire administration are impressive --- well-run school, great communication with parents (never had an email I had to follow-up on), thoughtful answers to tough questions, robust education, exciting and fun events that are inclusive and bring together the community. Our teachers, Ms. Irene and Ms. Irina, make the experience. They truly love our children and are invested in their success, which I feel would translate across schools, whether your child rides out their entire education with Stratford (post elem/middle) or transfers elsewhere. As an example, my daughter used to cry at drop off transitioning to a new school (for months) and also when having to perform in front of strangers. It took a week for her say she loved her teachers and not cry. The teachers and PE coach worked out different approaches to build her confidence and spirit, and over time, she cried less and less at spirit day performances until she actually started looking forward to it! Outside of this, the school does a great job of supporting two working parents. Personally, I know it can be difficult to navigate the guilt that comes from motherhood and working; wanting to be involved, but also balancing high-pressure jobs, and trying not to burn out. They know it, they plan for it, they communicate things in advance. This enables parents to be involved for enjoyment rather than obligation, which actually makes me want to be more involved. We feel so lucky to be part of this wonderful community! Highly recommend for any family looking for the right balance of a high-quality education that translates to any future, and teachers/staff that are loving, patient, and invested in the growth and happiness of your child.

We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this school community. The school is small -- truly like…read morea family -- and that has made all the difference for our child. For students who thrive in a small setting with individualized attention, this school is a wonderful fit. There is a strong sense of belonging, and every child is truly known by their teachers and by students across grade levels. The school places strong emphasis on academics, while also recognizing that each child progresses at their own pace. They really practice individualized learning and meet students where they are. When our child first joined, they were shy, socially awkward, and often anxious. Over time, we have watched them transform into a confident and happy child who feels completely at home in this "school family." They interact comfortably with teachers and students from different grades, and they genuinely enjoy going to school every day. Communication with parents is excellent. Teachers provide regular updates and address any concerns promptly and thoughtfully. Problems are never left unattended -- they are handled with care and collaboration. Another huge plus is that the school is very low-stress for families. There are no fundraising pressures, drop-off and pick-up are smooth (no long lines!), tuition is very affordable, and there is free after-school care. The school even provides freshly prepared hot lunches, included in the tuition, so parents don't have to worry about packing meals. In addition, there is a two-month summer school program, which is incredibly helpful for working families. Most importantly, our child is happy, feels secure, and is making strong academic progress. We highly recommend this school to families looking for a nurturing, small, personalized learning environment where children can truly grow and flourish.

Absolutely don't recommend this school! Both Eric and Gayle are rude and unprofessional. They have…read morean outdated and non-inclusive way of handling things. My 5-year old was bullied in the school every day. Someone would use a pair of scissors to cut a penny-size hole on the knitted leggings/pants (on right knee) every single day for 2-week. My kid was terrified and scared. We initially thought maybe they are just having fun. We observed it that the kiddo was coming home with a hole on pants (same spot every day) and raised it to Gayle. Gayle didn't like it and "escalated" to her husband, Eric. The day after I spoke to Gayle we tried to have a conversation with Eric during drop off next morning. He literally took us outside the door and closed the door and told me "you are over the top" and "we don't have scissors freely available in the school." I tried to show him the pictures and the pants that I carried with me for proof so he can understand what is going on. I was hoping that he would hear us out and do something about it but instead he got in the defensive mode. Eric returned our tution check on the spot and said this is not working out and they can't accept our kid in the school anymore from the next day and dismissed any concerns about bullying. We were dumbfounded as the kid had no fault and was doing extremely well academically under Teacher Anna (great teacher). The last day we intentionally decided to do an early pick up after our morning conversation and surprisingly that's the only day she came home without any hole. Later we learned a boy named David was behind this. However, we are not sure if the name is accurate as she is still super scared. How many little kiddos need to go through bullying before adults accept that bullying is problematic and is a personality disorder. Stay away from this school!

Our family has been a part of the Children's Day School community for 5 years and counting…read more... As a parent, you can feel the joy that the kids are experiencing day to day. The community of parents is a strong and down to earth crew. The teachers are intentional with their teaching and overall, we have been thrilled year to year with the teaching teams. We feel very fortunate to be a part of such a diverse and vibrant community in the heart of the Mission District.... The farm and garden is a bonus to an already beautiful campus. But, most importantly, the absolute excitement that both my kids feel to get to school everyday is number one!

Amazing community based on inclusion and diversity. I feel…read morewelcomed since day one as a Latin background family and a safe place for my children to be .

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.

It is my kids' first year at JLMS and so far they love it - new friends, excellent teachers, and…read morean awesome community. I've been impressed so far with all the clubs they provide, and the overall positive communication with the administration and the teachers. Special mention to the theatre program, the teacher Mr C brings something really special to this school. I'm looking forward to seeing their first production in the fall. As far as the low score rating, I think this is likely because there are English language learners but that hasn't affected my children's academics. Also a great project underway to get Turf for their asphalt covered playground! https://secure.givelively.org/donate/america-scores-bay-area/james-lick-field-of-dreams

We enrolled our daughter in Fairmount Elementary in the Spanish Bilingual Immersion program and…read morewhen time came for middle school we looked an many, including the powerhouse, Hoover, but selected James Lick and have never regretted it. No school, public or private is perfect, but Lick does so well on so many levels that we were really happy with the experience our daughter had. The immersion program is constantly evolving and becoming more robust. We felt that, with only a few exceptions, the teachers she had were really good. The class work prepared her for her high school as well as any of her friends who went to more prestigious public or private schools, and she's doing very well now at Lowell. The community is one of the real joys of this school. Families remain active, and the level of normal teasing is low. Actual bullying was far less than in elementary school which was a pleasant surprise as we were prepared for an increase, not a decrease. Teachers of particular note at this school: Mr O with immersion in 6th grade Mr Grimstad, the 8th grade Algebra teacher Mr Stookey who teaches art and drama for all grades Ms Dalmau, language arts and social studies , 8th grade Ms Perez. math 6th grade The absence of a teacher from this little list means nothing; only that my daughter didn't have them or they didn't stick in my mind. But these are the ones that stuck in my mind as having something really special to offer.