Five stars, no hesitation. My daughter, now in 5th grade, has been at CACS since day 1 of kindergarten after I spent the summer of 2009 calling the school office every few days to check her progress on the waiting list. (Charter school admissions are processed separately from the SFUSD lottery.) We had received (won?) our first choice request school in the SF school lottery, but I just knew CACS was the right place for her. At that time, the school was made up of dedicated parents, concerned administrators and stellar local-hero arts teachers reeling from recent mediocre standardized test scores, looking at a pending change in direction, and being threatened with relocation by SFUSD. Nonetheless, the vibe was what it was and I was thrilled when we got in a week before school started. Since, CACS has become a California Distinguished School. The campus site is now permanent. After 6 years, my daughter's K/1st grade teacher and 2nd/3rd grade teacher greet us in the hall every day. The superstar music teacher-guru is still there. About 40% of her classmates have been with her since kindergarten-remarkable for an urban elementary. If you include the other fifth grade class, retention rates go up to 60+ percent, I think. Families who gave up on raising kids in SF and moved to Marin County or Berkeley (or Ibiza--no lie!) still meet us at Alamo Square and GGP for playdates and attend school functions. My son, currently enrolled in the lower grades, has been a little more high-maintenance for all of us and the staff has been great with that. The fact that he has never been bullied or really even teased is a testament to the success of the school's Responsive Classroom approach to conflict prevention and classroom management. My daughter refuses to consider the idea of attending middle school elsewhere, and an unofficial poll of her classmates' parents confirms that the old-timers plan to remain for middle school. CACS students regularly matriculate into SOTA, Lowell and various private SF high schools--including the two daughters of my daughter's current teacher, who are SOTA graduates. I could go on, but in summary I feel that her school experience has played a great part in shaping my daughter's conscientious and considerate, positive and tolerant character. I'm glad she's happy, and she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. read more

If I could give negative stars I would as a student who attended this school it was not pleasant at all whatsoever. The teachers never take responsibility for their mistakes even little ones.. they always put in grades very late and if you don't attend school for even a day your grades can drop From an A to a D. As far as the art classes the music teacher is unorganized the theatre teacher is alright I love the dance teacher Kyle and the visual arts teacher. It isn't a terrible school but there is things they can do to become better as a school other than that the school is okay but the students are out of line. read more

One the worst places to send a little black child. Slowly but surely, your child will become the culprit. My children had the worst experience there. One child was secluded from the class, and when they weren't secluded, they were kicked out of class, allowing the teacher not to teach them. That same child was also pushed by that same teacher. No authorities were called. One child was constantly bullied by a child that had special needs. No one cared to address this, so my child could stop being abused daily. Instead, they created a wrap sheet for my child because they were defending themselves in multiple situations. The staff there is full of shit with a smile. Black parents keep your kids away from this place that is designed to take all light from your child. In this place, a little black child will never be an equal. BEWARE! BEWARE! PLEASE BEWARE! KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE! read more

My daughter was in dance class, and kyle (the dance teacher) was out sick, and they decided to hire a sub. Fast forward, the sub was vaping out the window. Putting my child and the other children in danger, I was really worried for my child's safety. Nor did they care/pay much attention to the situation. read more

We are K parents and wanted to add a review since it has been quite here a while. We love the school. It is a public (ie no tuition payments) charter (run/overseen independently of the USD while following general curriculum AND you apply separately and independently of SFUSD lottery) arts-integrated (they still have music, art, and dance or theather as part of school and it's budget) School Just recently, upper grades worked with a local artist to produce short films that were premiered at Lucas Arts :) Many families are quite involved through creative, financial, time-volunteering, or other means. School follows "responsive classroom" for children's emotional development, while embracing project based learning for academics. If you are looking for a school that is broad-based vs more academically focused, check out CACS. read more

as a former student of this school, my knowledge of certain subjects was severely damaged by the unpreparedness of the school during the covid outbreak. also the whole nine years besides kindergarten(we love Ron and Laura) really sucked read more

My daughter is in 7th grade and has been there since Kindergarden. The school, teachers, parents, and kids have heart. The middle school is great; low key in terms of 'middle school drama' and a comfortable place for a young person to go through those awkward years. My daughter has been academically challenged and supported. She's had great teachers, great experiences with after-care, and a well rounded curriculum, including full time PE teacher, music, theater, art and dance. And multiple sports teams with the ever terrific Maria Jenerik to boot. There was a rough patch in the administration a couple of years back, but it is not only smoothed over, but made the school an even better place today. I couldn't be happier that we've been at CACS all these years. CACS, we love you. read more

If you are one of the many families that gets an acceptance to this school please read the reviews carefully. Initially I thought we had won the lottery but this decision put our child in immediate danger from the first day of school which changed our child's life forever. Despite a select few of incredible teachers that tried to protect my child, the Executive Director and Administration do not prioritize students safety and sense of belonging. They falsify facts, are prejudice and embrace severe cases of bullying. We learned that we were not an isolated case and severe cases of bullying happen daily but the administration continues to deny this is happening and protects the Bullies. It's really sad because this school should be closed but they continue to live in denial that this is happening. So many great teachers were forced to leave the school as a result of the current Administration and Director. In addition to the severe bullying when your child then graduates they struggle in High School especially in English because the curriculum was below standard so they don't even know how to identify Topic Sentence, Context, Evidence, Commentary 1 and Commentary 2. read more

My son went to this school for K and for the first half of 1st grade. Unfortunately, he had behavior/ learning disabilities that CACS could not handle. They handled the situation with grace, with decorum and with sensitivity. The day before my son was to start his 'new' school, his wonderful teacher had set up a surprise party and not only that, all the kids had written good bye notes and the teacher had pasted them all in a blank journal alongside pictures of the kids, in hopes that Creative Arts Charter would bring up positive memories for my son- and it worked. Great school. But, pre-warned, if your child has a severe LD or an emotional problem, CACS just doesn't have the resources for educating children with these issues. read more

We are an incoming Middle School family, who started six months ago. This school was our child's first choice and initially we had some concerns. We could not be happier, the staff and teachers are fantastic and they really know our child. The teaching is project based and the projects are phenomenal. Our child LOVES going to school and has made great, supportive friends. If your child has a lot of extra curricular activities, the academic level is perfect. The creative and academic balance is ideal. They start and end their day with their advisor and that has been an organizational success for us. We could not be happier and we feel VERY fortunate to be at CACS. Thank you! read more

I have to counter the vitriolic personal attack on our school's prinicipal. She's terrific -- really cares about the school -- and has taken it to new levels in the last two years. I love and rely on Yelp, but I wouldn't go to it for school advice. Try GreatSchools.net or The SF K Files for thoughtful commentary on the actual schools themselves. Not character assasination arising out of some kind of intense personal thing. All the elements of this review that I can comment on from direct experience -- well, they're simply not true. And my family's actually been there for more than a year. CACS is an excellent, exciting, dynamic K-8. Small, warm, nurturing. Families that follow-through when they offer to help. Smart, innovative full-time classroom faculty. And they're there -- we don't need a lot of substitutes. My child LOVES going to school and is never yelled at. Check it out for yourself. read more

We are thrilled with the arts-integrated education @ CACS. The kids are learning and thriving in a non-teach-to-the-test environment. Arts -- dance, music, visual arts -- are integrated into classroom curriculum (e.g., kindergarten math patterning with visual shape patterning). The students take the same state-level academic tests as SFUSD students, and the CACS students numbers show that the system works. CACS is a California Distinguished School -- which shows in so many ways. Teachers and staff are open and accessible, and conversant in the arts-integrated approach and methodology. The community is as varied as San Francisco's population -- and the school is continually reaching out to additional communities for engagement and enrolllment. Centrally located (near Alamo Square). Free (public, and non-profit 501c3). Equally academically challenging and supportive. read more

I think public schools are what you make of them. My hope is that we continue to get committed families, as it's not just committed teachers but families and staff that make a wonderful school. Our daughters is in 1st and loves it and her sister will be going there in two years. Were there problem in the past? Yes might there be issues in the future? Yes. But we were speaking with a friend how has a kid in one of the top private school in the area and he is having issues as well. We think it's great and so does our daughter! read more

This school has potential; yet, one thing is lacking. There is a person there with a great deal of responsibility for the direction of the campus. The problem is that this person has a gruff exterior and a sky high ego. This person should not be in the position there in for a number of reasons. If I were to send my child there I would be cautious because the school needs someone who is caring and concerned, loving and sincere about children without coming off as a person who is an uncool Fonz from Happy Days. read more

My children currently attend Creative Art Charter; I thought the community was positive. Until Child Protective Services was called on me by the school. As parent I was shocked, all because of a misunderstanding, the shocking part was the school never called with any concerns or questions. The CPS worker stated a report came from the school for child neglect, I am so livid. The whole story was false accusations. The interesting part was the CPS caseworker said my kid's attire was of question. I was like are you for real. I guess my boys cannot fall down and get a hole in their pants right. I am researching other school. read more

My child just got STAR tests back- perfect scores- 0 mistakes- in 3 sections! Just attended middle school orientation. Blown away! They created an advisory system in which a small group of kids and their advisor meet first and last thing EVERY DAY! They check to make sure the school supplied planners are updated and the kids have what they need to do their homework and it's done or STUDY HALL. . No one is falling through the cracks here. Lots of staff turnover?-GOOD! They have put together an enthusiastic staff from across the country. But my child's teacher was a parent here, then a volunteer, now a senior teacher- that's 13 years at CACS. read more

We actually left the school after a few years (left in 2009 I believe?), it kinda took a turn for the worse... I do know people who are still very happy there; I think the community has turned around the turnaround... YMMV. read more

I caution those parents with kids who are 6 thru 8th grades.Creative Arts Charter is great for the lower grades but you will find them lacking in quality teachers and the school is very poorly administered. Art programs need much to be desired.In my opinion it does not live up to the name of the school.there is nothing creative about what they do. And their basics are behind what the other schools are doing.If i had it over to do again i would re-consider attending this school. Good luck to all whatever your choices are. read more

Great school. Busy and wildly creativr. The music program is top notch. I really like the community aspect and wish they had a high school too read more