Private Schools in San Francisco

[Anonymous]

There is supposed to be a great international school (I think on the east bay) that offers different international and language immersion styles. All kids share the same playground. Sorry but I don't remember the name. The east bay is less expensive but still nice. If you are looking to be in a city but SF is too expensive you may want to consider Oakland, some areas are nice. Los Altos is very expensive. If you are not in the city Walnut Creek is more affordable.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in SF and went to Convent of the Sacred Heart (located in Pacific Heights). It is a top all girls school from K-12. They also have a boys school (Stuart Hall) located next door. Their website is www.sacredsf.org/index.aspx

My brothers went to Town School for Boys (also in Pacific Heights) which is from K-8. This has always had the reputation as one of the (if not the) top boys elementary in the city. Their link: http://www.townschool.com/

Other top girl schools are:
Burkes - http://www.kdbs.org/
Hamlins - http://www.hamlin.org/home/index.asp

Another top boy school is:
http://www.cathedralschool.net/s/771/start.aspx

These are the elementary schools I am most familiar with in San Francisco. There are many other schools to choose from, so I would recommend going on school tours once you arrive and figure out where you will be living. Commuting from the East Bay or Marin to the city every day would be difficult for children - although some people do it.

San Francisco is wonderful (although foggy and expensive) and the Indian Summers (Sept - Oct) are the best! Life has brought me East, but the rest of my family is still in the city and Sonoma County. You have so many resources with the city, the wine country, Carmel, and Tahoe just a few hours away!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

[Anonymous]

Hamlin is a fabulous school for girls, or at least was, until their former Head Coreen Hester went to London to run the American School. And as a brought up in the DC area but with two kids born on the West Coast, yes, it is highly competitive for Admissions but doable if you have honest about what your kids are, and are not, with Admissions Directors. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know is the Catholic schools in SF are like Catholic schools out here, or more liberal???

[Anonymous]

Native Californian here; still have family in Atherton and Palo Alto. Unless you're dead set on the city, I agree with PPs about living south of the city--Atherton/Menlo Park/Los Altos/Palo Alto. Although Atherton is the wealthiest, the schools are actually better in Palo Alto. The commute to SF would be easiest from Atherton compared to the others, though. You might also check out Crystal Springs in Hillsborough, although I don't know if they start in K.

[Anonymous]

I went to Crystal Springs -- it starts in middle school. If you like living in a city, definitely do not move to the peninsula suburbs for the school system. I grew up in Redwood City and went to public elementary school -- it was terrible. That's why I ended up at Crystal, which was horrid in its own way (mainly, dealing with rich, privileged kids). The only suburb on the peninsula with excellent public schools is Palo Alto. The only suburb I would consider is Berkeley. There are some good public schools there, but you'd have to do your research. OP, I'm sorry, but I'm not up on the SF private schools these days. I'm positive that depending on the neighborhood you could get a great public school in the city.

I love the Bay Area and wish I could move back. Enjoy!