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.

Our son is 8 and in the middle of his 3rd year at Brightworks…read more We couldn't be happier about how the school has supported his learning, both socio-emotional (he is high energy and we were worried he'd be seen as a 'bad' kid at a traditional school) and academic (particularly reading, where he's been a bit slow, but now is right on track and loving reading). Brightworks' approach is project based. Not just doing projects *in* classes--like the science class doing a science project about earthquakes--but doing interdisciplinary projects *instead of* classes, with a greater degree of fluidity and flexibility in time and approach. The school has a strong maker and tinkering culture. We also don't have things that more traditional schools have, such as tests or grades, though we do have parent conferences and documentation of progress in several key areas (like a swim school report card). The kids do NOT sit at individual desks. A lot more time is spent outdoors, and we're in the Presidio, so there's tons of nature to explore. The kids aren't organized into typical grade levels, like K, 1, 2, 3. Instead they're in "bands" of up to a dozen kids each, giving the school more flexibility in placing kids in the group that they'd most benefit from being in each year, with less stigma if a child is "skips" a grade or is held back. The school's approach is naturally well-suited for kids with different needs. E.g. the focus on meeting every kid where they're at, individual learning trajectories, and being able to take the time that the kids need rather than being tied to a fixed daily or weekly schedule with lists of specific learning objectives. We've gotten great and entirely non-judgemental support for our son. That said, as a small school and as a private school, not every need or circumstance can be accommodated and we have seen a couple classmates over the years with, e.g. dyslexia or autism, move on to more specialized schools. (If your kid has special needs, I would ask about it; we do have many neurodiverse and other kids with particular needs that are doing great and seem well supported.) One thing that exemplifies the school is our annual Maker Marketplace where anyone in the community can sell things-like crafts, food items, gifts, or even carnival games or other experiences. It's entrepreneurial and community-forward, and there's a fair amount of open-endedness in what is possible. Maker Marketplace is a bit chaotic and a lot of fun and learning, and to me that really is the Brightworks way.

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.

Presidio Hill is a gem of a school that makes excellent use of the nearby national park and has…read morethoughtful and caring teachers. It is absolutely worth visiting first-hand. Two of my children transferred in midway through 3rd and 6th grade; the older graduated and is now at University High School, and the other is still at PHS, entering 7th grade. As an educator myself, I am aligned with progressive, humanist, and constructivist movements, and the ways those teaching philosophies prioritize internal motivation over external motivation aligned with more behaviorist philosophies. That's not for everyone, of course! Again, worth just visiting first-hand to have a look.

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

My niece goes here. The school is doing a very good job at dealing with this corona virus. Thank…read moreyou for helping to keep her safe and her studies.

Kittredge is a small, established school located in a corner three-story house in a scenic…read moreneighborhood nearby Rochambeau Park. The tuition is comparatively attainable for an independent school with impressive academic outcomes (high school acceptances). The school has a strong athletic component with daily P.E. and students can participate in traditional school sports (cross country, volleyball, futsal, etc.) or after-school electives (theater, science club, fencing, etc.). A year ago, my child joined Kittredge in 6th grade from SFUSD. We were looking for an environment where students are interested in learning and support each other. Going in, my main concerns were how my kid would adjust to a much smaller school with rigorous academic expectations in math, science, and composition, and whether my child would fit in quickly with others who have been at Kittredge for years. It took my child about one quarter to adjust to the high academic standards, and the transition was a lot easier due to the nurturing environment. At the start of school, students were thoughtfully provided with calendar planners and shown how to schedule due dates. The students have group projects such as a bridge construction challenge and presentations as well as individual assignments like making an everyday invention and writing a history thesis. In 7th grade, students will be matched to multiple levels of math classes. My child made friends with classmates in the same year and across different grades. His cohort is an even mix of kids who joined from SFUSD and other private schools over the years or who attended the school since kinder. Kittridge is not only about academics. The school holds an annual talent show, school dance, and field day. The students attend field trips and hike to the beach and Land's End, and 7th/8th graders attend camp in Yosemite. The dedicated parent association also enlivens the environment with parties, picnics, lion dances, Diwali celebrations, etc.

We could not be happier with Kittredge, a truly special home away from home. It has been amazing to…read moresee our son thrive after transitioning from a larger school to a small family-like atmosphere. Individualized approach - Kittredge is designed as a small community to meet each child's specific needs and empower each child to flourish. Whether a student is struggling or wants to be challenged in a particular area, not only does Kittredge differentiate learning for varying skills levels, teachers customize their approach to support each individual. This applies not only for academics, but also social emotional issues. I was impressed that our teacher was open to incorporating behavior strategies that work well at home. Small knit community - The faculty often wear multiple hats and get to know the students well from different contexts. For example, the reading teacher assistant can also be the extended care teacher. By interacting with the students in different settings, they gain various perspectives and find approaches that resonate. It is valuable that students of all ages have the chance to interact closely and learn from each other. In his mixed age class, the teacher told me that my son acts as big brother, proudly explaining math concepts to the younger kids. After hearing the 8th grade student council election speeches, voting, and discussing school issues, my young son is now inspired to run for student council president one day. Personal attention -The extended care teachers are not merely babysitters ensuring his safety. I am impressed that they are loving and actively engaged whether it's playing hangman, chess, or board games. It is no wonder he does not want to leave even after a long day! When my child transferred to Kittredge, I was quite nervous for him in his new environment. On his first day of school, the principal arrived at school on a hectic morning and from a distance I saw that she made the effort to stop, and kneel down to his eye level to give him a warm welcome. These small gestures of kindness make a big impact. I appreciate that Kittredge focuses on the development of the whole person - academically, socially, and emotionally. Their curriculum includes teaching "Habits of Mind", cognitive skills which foster personal success. Every month, the theme is integrated through stories, discussions, and projects. I was filled with pride when my young son taught me "When you fail, you just try again". Once a child has a healthy mindset, and feels seen and heard, I believe he or she is set up for academic success. It is not a surprise that Kittredge graduates get accepted into San Francisco's top high schools. I met a lady who has worked in pediatrics in San Francisco for many years. When I mentioned that my son attends Kittredge, her eyes widened with excitement, "Ooooh that is a good school! All the kids I've met there are well rounded!" We feel extremely fortunate to have found a gem at Kittredge - a well balanced, warm and nurturing environment with solid academics.

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!

My son attended Town School for Boys from K to 8th grade. Town prepared him for high school and…read morehas a great alumni history. It is one of the best private K-8 school in San Francisco. Their vlass size is about 45 kids per grade. If you are thinking of send you son to Town School, start the process early as it's difficult to be admitted.

I attended my Town School for Boys 30th class reunion a couple of years ago, a bunch of contented,…read morefat, balding adults standing around in Dockers, sipping pinot grigio. Didn't come close to descending into the Lord of the Flies-type scenario I had so desperately hoped for. What, after all, do Kenwood Estates and canapes have to do with nine years of regimentation and David Copperfield-like toil under the lash of a system that hoped to mold us into "leaders"? Okay, 95% of everything I know came from Town School. But so did 98% of my psychoses. What would have been far more appropriate to the occasion was a one-hour game of Blood Lust. Blood Lust: 80 kids, one ball, no rules. We developed it as a way to, well...you get the picture. 30 years on, I figured this was our final opportunity to return to the feral underbelly or our childhood, the last chance to go down under a frenzied, unsupervised scrum of screeching males, crushed to the asphalt but not ever letting go of the dodge ball. Or maybe Kill The Goalie. Which differed from Blood Lust only in that it involves four goalies, 80 center forwards, unlimited soccer balls, and a cement wall. Since the evening did not end with a draped body being rolled into a paramedic van, I viewed it as a failure. For God's sake, there has got to be something out there that will let me at least *start* to come to terms with my issues.

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.

This was a good school -until SFUSD showed us how incredibly incompetent they are by bringing in a…read morenew principal (Amy Gottsfeld) who has no business leading anything -particularly a place of education. She is quite possibly the most incompetent person on the planet. She brushes any question off with pure BS -never addressing the problem. Nothing she says makes sense to her staff or anyone for that matter -she's all about deflecting and can't even seem to make sense of the simplest questions. She's straight up unintelligent and not qualified to lead a school. Shame on SFUSD.

Love this school. My son goes here and it's awesome. From the principal to the teachers and…read moreteachers aide, everyone cares. I'm so blessed our son goes there. My son has autism and they have so much for him! God definitely pointed us in the right direction. Thank you Ms Kimberly. - Sal's parents!

Dennis Estrada, Headmaster of Stuart Hall for Boys, used to say "When the student is ready, the…read moreteacher will appear." I am so grateful to have had such a teacher in only 5th and 6th grade. From a non-Christian point of view, SH4B provides a top notch education. The best in SF at least. However Jesus is the tru vine. Without him we wither. Too often school administrators are more akin to politicians than educators. Mr. Estrada is the best educator I have ever encountered. I pray that God blesses him the same way they both blessed me.

Not sure why all the reviews are about parking…read more School is a single sex school on a co-ed campus. While being Catholic based it does not have a church affiliation. It is part of the Schools of the Sacred Heart and is the only single sex male school that caters to both sexes on a single campus. There is a separate girls school next door which makes logistics very convenient. A VERY unappreciated asset. The school is expensive, but the benefits are good. I went there as a kid and although different now, I have sent my son there for 9 years and couldn't be happier. Education is too notch and high schools want boys from Stuart Hall.