SFUSD failed immigrant and ESL students like me As a former SFUSD student, my experience was that the district did not provide meaningful education, safety, guidance, or protection for immigrant and ESL students. SFUSD did not feel like an educational pathway. It felt like institutional containment. I was placed in ESL, given limited guidance, exposed to bullying and discrimination, and left without clear rights education, complaint mechanisms, counseling support, or alternative pathways. A school should help students develop, not merely contain them until they age out of the system. ESL was supposed to be a bridge. In my experience, it became a low-expectation track. ESL science and history classes did not provide the academic structure, English support, reading/writing training, or serious guidance needed to prepare students for college-level work. Students were left to figure things out on their own, and the system treated that as "learning." That is not education. That is neglect. My family was not properly informed about the risks of ESL placement, how to exit ESL, how placement could affect academic tracking, or how to access stronger academic pathways. I was not clearly informed about honors/AP options, community college pathways, career training, adult school, independent study, continuation school, GED/high school equivalency options, CHSPE/proficiency options, vocational programs, or youth employment programs. A school district should not leave immigrant families to discover these pathways years later by themselves. The problem was not only academic. I also experienced bullying, insults, racial discrimination, and humiliation in the school environment, including PE. I did not experience SFUSD as a system that protected vulnerable students. There was no clear, accessible, student-centered complaint or help mechanism that I understood. I was not meaningfully taught how to report bullying, discrimination, harassment, unsafe situations, or abusive dynamics. I was not taught how to document incidents, seek outside help, or understand my student rights. This caused long-term damage. I did not simply "struggle in school." I went through an educational environment where language barriers, immigrant family limitations, low expectations, bullying, racial discrimination, lack of counseling, lack of rights education, and lack of career guidance overlapped. That kind of system can derail a student's confidence, academic direction, career planning, financial judgment, and trust in institutions. SFUSD may have policies on paper today, but policies mean very little if students do not know how to use them, families are not informed, and adults do not actively identify when students are being harmed. A real support system should not wait for a child or teenager to already understand legal language, civil rights, complaint procedures, or alternative education pathways. My criticism is not directed at every individual teacher. There may be good teachers and good schools within SFUSD. My criticism is directed at SFUSD as a system. In my experience, the system failed to protect and guide students who most needed structure, advocacy, safety, and clear information. ESL should never become academic isolation. Language support should not become a low track. Immigrant students should not be left to survive bullying, discrimination, poor guidance, and institutional confusion on their own. SFUSD needs to do much more than offer language programs. It needs real accountability, real family communication, real anti-bullying and anti-discrimination protection, real sexual harassment and student safety education, real counseling access, real complaint mechanisms, and real college/career pathway guidance. A school district should not only teach students English. It should protect their dignity, rights, safety, and future. In my experience, SFUSD failed to do that. Most importantly, I was never meaningfully taught my rights as a student. As an immigrant and ESL student, I did not understand that bullying, racial discrimination, harassment, unsafe school conditions, and abusive dynamics were not simply personal problems or "things to tolerate." I did not know what my rights were, how to document incidents, how to file a complaint, how to seek outside help, or when legal support might be necessary. A school district should not expect a child or teenager--especially an immigrant student still learning English--to already understand civil rights, complaint procedures, Title IX, anti-discrimination protections, or alternative education pathways. If students do not know their rights, those rights do not function in practice. read more

Joined a group of my alumni classmates for a tour of our high school after ## years. The school looks great and what used to be the typewriter classroom is replaced with Apple computers. The back track field is no longer a dirt track but is made of synthetic material and they even have a batting cage too. The names of swimmers who had a high school record used to be on a large blanket hanging on the wall in the Boy's Locker room is long gone but the names are still written on a board. The controversial murals are still up and look great. What used to be the shops in the basement is now an auto class and the only high school in San Francisco that has an auto shop. read more

See all

School lunch is so bad multiple times there's been mold in them and I'm really close to just eating it so I can get a lawsuit. read more

George Washington High School - Burger sandwich (circa 2022) - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is my one "GLORY DAYS" revue... Most of my friends went to S.I., nice guys, but seriously folks.... If I were 15 again (Freshman in 1984), I would pull my skateboard out of the basement and head straight to 32nd Ave, on top of the hill looking down at Geary.. Anyone who was shredding at the WASH knew this was the best Friday= school is out feeling to bomb that intersection. read more

I just graduated and I already miss you, Washington. Best 4 years of my life. I had so much fun there. Great classes, great teachers, great concerts and events. My teachers always cared for my grades and always tried to help. I am very thankful for that. I also liked our college center. just go there, ask whatever you need, they will always provide you with information about colleges and financial aid. I regret that I wasn't involved in any clubs and extracurriculars, because my house was too far from school and I didn't have enough time for that. But I am still thankful to every adult at Wash for many good things they've done to students. read more

George Washington High School - Graduation 2010 - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

Graduated from Wash in 2001. I just barely made it outta here. Sucks that alot of people left or dropped out. A couple even died. Its got quite afew teachers that are real passionate about what they do(although I wasnt real passionate about being a student). Excellent view of the Golden Gate, but usually cold. Good times. read more

I'm only giving this school 4 stars bc its soooo crowded, everything else is great.... - amazing views of ggb/marin -great teachers, best ones are : Ms. Bailey, Mr Gregg, the ceramics one (sorry i've forgotten names..), Mr Marquez, Mr Vedar, Mr Tunzi and the verduras.... -my tips for ultimate experience: sit on the bleachers during lunch on those amazing sunny SF days! Go to at least one game, go to the rallys and yell your lungs out, join a club, order ahead to tsing tao and pick it up (yes its against the rules but do it anyway), go to brown bag theatre, and connect with your teachers....and yes drive to the beach on a hot day too during lunch read more

I was force to waste 4 years of my life here. Class of 2001. Best teacher in the school was Mr. Fogarino. Marine Bio. If you didn't take his class, you probably aren't successful in life.... He opened my eyes when snapped in class one day! "You Kids these days show no respect. I've been teaching 17 years! 17 Years! And you guys have no respect!!! Walking into class, wearing your caps backwards, headphones plugged into your ears, not listening, coming to class doing nothing and thinking your so coool.....BUT WHENS THE LAST TIME YOU READ A BOOK?!?! I'll never forget those words..made me lol !!! Gave me an A+ for going on all 7 or 8 of his field trips one year...I help plant Crissy Field. Did more good there than all my time spent in the classrooms. Other than marine bio, school was near worthless. my lack education consisted of out of date text books, cutting class to go to gym class to play basketball, writing 1000 lines for my homeroom teacher, and asking my spanish teacher if my friends could cut class and come here to play cards. SFUSD is a joke....don't send your kids anywhere in the city if possible... read more

My name is William Chiu, and I graduated in 2001. I share many fond memories for this school, and there were some notable teachers that changed my life for the better. In no specific order, Mr. John Propster taught the public speaking class and coached the speech and debate team. A couple years down the line, while attending UC Berkeley, I won the 1st Place Northern California Debate Speaker award. Mr. Dennis Gregg taught world history honors and AP Economics. A couple of years down the line, I majored in economics at UC Berkeley, and led several sections of Econ 1 (Introduction to Economics) at the university. Senor Tunzi and Senor Eichler taught Spanish honors and AP Spanish. A couple years down the line, I sit at El Pollo Loco and listen to people's conversations. I feel like a well-rounded and well-cultured person because of my ability to understand a foreign language. My younger brother informs me that the quality of education has gone down considerably since he and I left. My brother is 4 years younger than me. I blame this on the lack of financial incentives for potentially great teachers from entering the profession. Let's face it, people who were 4.0 GPA students from high school end up in the financial services industry or make the big bucks at other private companies. Great teachers like Propster, Gregg, Tunzi, and Eichler are a dying breed. This is a pity. This isn't just a San Francisco problem, this is a problem of aligning social benefits and costs with private benefits and costs. read more

Man, all the years I spent on the backfield smoking cigarettes, drinking warm 40s of Old E, and comtemplating whether or not to go to 6th period math class,or was it 5th period. Crap I can't remember. Anyhow, I had the best time there. All of the classes I went to anyways. Which was mosty Ms. De's drama class, Ms. Vaaler's choir, Ms, Saunders dance, and Mr. Leach's AP psychology. Its amazing that I even graduated, considering half the time I was drunk, one forth of the time I was hung over, and the other fourth of the time I was in class, or hiding out inthe drama room, hoping someone else cutting class would want to go on a smoke break with me. Ah, the fond memories. THen again I did graduate like, 10 years ago. Crap, I am now officially old. Man that really sucks. read more

Some of my best memories were here at Wash. But watch out for Mrs. Nicholas cause she is one damn incompetent dean for the job. And you can tell her I said so too. She is racist against Asians and she will JUDGE you if you are Asian, "LOOK" like a bad kid or hang out with the "wrong" people. If you never got into trouble before but look like a bad kid, she might be on your ass. If you've done wrong before, she'll see you as that person and possibly frame you by suggesting your face in the yearbook to the so-called "victims" of a situation. I'm not just talking S**t but she truly pisses me off. And I know because I've witnessed people go through this and go through court (innocent) because of her. I once looked up to Mr. Ishibashi as well, but he disappointed me in this situation as well. But I still believe he is overall a good principal. Now that the CONS are out of the way.. this is a GREAT school. They have lots of nice teachers and some wonderful classes. And you get a super nice view of GGB. If the following teachers I list are still at this school, you guys should definitely take them!! Mr. Vedar (history) ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE WORLD! Mr. Propster (video production) Mrs. Miller (Chinese) Mrs. Philipps (english) I heard Mr. Lu/Luu? was super cool too, but I never had him Oh, and off campus lunch was the bomb! read more

I spent the best years at GWHS. Very proud to be part of the Eagle family! My grandfather Mr. Firpo taught and coach there for over 25 years and my mom graduated there in '67 also! Class of '87! read more

I graduated in George Washington High School in year 1992. I missed the past old days. Even though I don't have that many friends from that schooI, I will choose this journey all over again. I am an '92 Eagle! I am not so happy while attending George Washington high school because almost. Everybody tends not to talk to me. That is why I use the phrase past old days instead of good old days. read more

I just wanted to give my condolences to Sid Sherrill's family. He was an English teacher at Wash for 11 years and also one of my English teachers as well. I had no ideal he was battling cancer, and unfortunately read an article in the alumni website that he lost his battle recently at only 44. If you would like to read more please visit this link. I will always remember him as I'm sure will all his past and current students. Rest Peacefully Mr. Sherrill and thanks for caring about all of us. :( http://sfportal.sfusd.edu/sites/washington_hs/Shared%20Documents/Sid%20Sherrill.htm. read more

We got the best view in the city... what does lowell have? over looking sewage slop lake merced??? muahahaha Wash was good to me for the most part... I miss Mr. Ritson's rambles on China I miss Terri Camajani's kindness and being a confidant I miss Mr. Propster's weird outburst and bagels I miss Mr. Tunzi going "Mi chamio Antonio Tunziiiii" I miss Ms. De's drama class and our journal entries I miss Mr. Fogarino's passion for the enviornment even to it's point of annoyance I miss Tammy yelling at me and then joking with me I miss class pizza.... NOT I miss Ms. Wert's sense of humor and sarcasm I miss Ms. Kyung's modern world class and being another confidant I could turn to I miss Dean Lee or Yee??? Short temper (it was funny to watch her get mad) Ohhh and the time Ms. Plack took my watergun away at May Fest when I was running from the ROTC goonies I'm sure there's more memories of teachers... but right now I'm too tired to dig in the memory bank read more

Everyones high school experience was pretty much what they made out of it. If you didn't enjoy it, don't blame the school. Every school has jocks, sports, clubs, homework, rallys and the like. What this school offered is what I'm rating. -3 stars for the quality of the teachers and office workers. No professionalism, there were two teachers I encountered in 4 years years of attendance that genuinely cared for students, were passionate about teaching and were respectful and aware of the transitional phase our young and impressionable minds were at. 2 is a pretty low number. +1 star for the location and accessibility. This school is located near the ocean and at some places has a great view of the rest of the city as well as a relatively attractive layout. The stores in the local area helped. The artwork, especially the piece on the main football field was amazing in my opinion. -1 star for safety. The security measures this school takes and the protocol are a joke. This is coming from a youngster who has been on every side of the "at fault" you can imagine. The security guards are physically inept, how are they supposed to stop students from a physical altercation if they can't walk normally? The campus police were bullies who seemed more interested in harassing skateboarders than actually looking into youth violence and drug use. read more

When the lunch bell rings, run, because once those doors open, animals will come pouring into the street, filling every inch of the sidewalks and shoving each other in the middle of the road. I still gotta give Wash some props because my brother goes here and it is a good school. The best part is the breathtaking view that they get from their football field. Still, GO LOWELL! read more

I went to this school, failed a grade (my fault entirely), and graduated from here, so I may be a bit biased in my review, but I do have fond memories and love the place and the people who work there. The school has probably one of the best views that the city offers as it sits on hop of a hill and the back of the school where the football field lies gives way to a breath taking view of the bridge. read more

Long ago, in another century, I visited this school along with a group of teachers and business people. We had been told it was one of the top high schools in SF, though not as high in quality as Lowell, still a great school. We were pretty shocked...looked very much like an inner city school with some rough edges. Classrooms looked used and beaten up, stairwells were depressing. The one thing that has stuck with me all these years is that beautiful view from the football stadium. That has to be worth a few million $. read more

Class of Y2K!!! Waaasshhh hooouussee!! Best time of my life!! So lucky to have been able to go to this school in the heart of SF with the best views of the Bay and GGB. Loved every second I spent there. As far as education goes, don't remember much bc I was usually ditching class and hanging out in the backfield or across the street with the stoners but hey I graduated and now I'm an RN with a lovely family, living in the suburbs. Lol life is full of surprises! read more

4 best years of my life (NOT!) actually, it was one of the teachers who said it best. he actually used to be a student way back when and then he came back to Wash to teach social studies, I think... He was interviewed for the school paper and, I quote: "I'm eternally thankful to G.Washington to preparing me for real life. For when I graduated and went off to college and dormitories, and "real life," nothing dazed me. I was prepared for EVERYTHING." And for that, I'm eternally thankful... to letting me smoke on the back field during class because i was in Calculus AP, I'm thankful for making me coffee in the teacher's lounge because I fell asleep during English AP, I'm thankful for teaching me obscenities in French, I'm thankful for helping me get into Cal, I'm thankful for giving out condoms after school on Fridays, I'm thankful for teaching me color blindness, I'm thankful for teaching me to stand up for myself, ESL, or no ESL, I'm thankful read more

When I went there, Wash was a wonderful school with the best reputation in the city, aside from evil Lowell. :) It's where I taught myself to program, and where I learned from some memorable teachers. The view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands are stunning and inspiring. Not too many discipline problems except someone set off an M80 in a locker on the third floor. Hung out with the computer nerds and the drama kids. Obviously lots of inner turmoil because, you know, I was a teen. We have a facebook group for alumni, but answer the simple intake question or you ain't getting in. https://www.facebook.com/groups/gwhs.eagles read more

i was told that this used to be a prison... isnt it...? it's a public highschool... what could you expect? i hated my cousnler.. she wouldnt even let me see her so i can change my schedule.. what the hell is IMP.. i basically taught myself algebra. you gotta love the gg brige view though. probably one of the best vistas of the bridge from the city. and mr pleasure, thanks for making music fun... read more

I transferred here from Galileo and I don't really like this school . There's not much school spirit . The school is very boring which makes you depressed all the time and want to cut . There is also a lot of litter in and around school . Counselors don't really do a good job of telling students what they need in order to get in a good college . Counselors and teachers don't really do a good job of motivating students . Therefore , a lot of students end up repeating classes and going to night school their senior year . Teachers here are just hit or miss . Either they're really good and helpful or they're just bad and boring . There's an off-campus lunch , which is good but the food on Balboa St . SUCKS ! I swear they would be out of business without our school . I hate this school and I'm glad I'm graduated .. read more

My how time has changed! I graduated from GWHS in the stone-age, man! It was 1966 and then I sent on to Cal, Berkeley. In that era, GWHS was one of the finest schools in Northern California, almost as great as Lowell (sorry about that!). Some of the teachers mentioned in other "reviews" were there when I went to GWHS, so that ought to tell you something about teacher dedication! I particularly got a big kick out of the previous comments pertaining to Mr. Chandler! WOW! He was there when I went to GWHS, along with his wife, who was the daughter of famous SF broadcaster, Ira Blue. Jeeeez, what memories! Sadly, I suppose that the great tradition of supreme teaching and serious, attentive students has somehow gone to the wayside, but I have to tell you one thing---GWHS was once a superb public school and I am very proud to say that I once attended there. Rich Links Berkeley, CA read more

It's like middle school, but bigger, and more populated. Oh, and people smoke more pot and get drunk more. Hmm...ideal high school? naw... The classes are decent - translating to easy enough to pass without doing anything. It crushed my dreams... The debate team is awesome though =D The band program is legit as well :D read more

Student, alumnus, and teacher: "We, the willing, led by the knowing, do the most we can with the little we have. We have been doing so much with so little for so long that we are now qualified to do everything with nothing." If only that were true. Budget cuts aside, GWHS is still an outstanding school. Inadequate funding, shifting student demographics, and an emphasis on standardized testing that stifles authentic education. On the other hand, respected alumni, (mostly) committed teachers, and one of the best comprehensive high schools in SF. read more

I cheated on Miss Gisler's weekly tests too!! I had a friend in 4th period who used to write down the letter answers, and I used to memorize them in order during lunch for 5th period. Then I started reading the book. Her essay tests were hard!! Of course, Mr. Chandler's bagels were day old!! I think I remember going to House of Bagels and buying them to sell for the speech team. Miss Huey dressed like Hello Kitty in the 80s too!!! I was the skinniest kid and she kept on calling me fat. Mr. Gregg is an awesome teacher but his Civics AP was too easy. Best teachers were Anne McGarry and Mr. Williams--we called him Boo Radley--in Honors English, and AP Math, Calculus,etc teacher whose classes were very hard. Liked Doris Grimley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. T (choir), and Mr. Donn, andf Mr. Leach who taught Sex ed. Hated Ms. De, Mr. Yee, Ms. McKenna, shop teachers. P.S. There is a supply closet overlooking the football field underneath the stairs which I had keys to and always wanted to have sex in there!! read more

I was blessed to grow up in the best of times... This school was, for me, a great school. I worked hard, played hard and loved the music and drama program. I also skipped a half a year into a strange class... I still hung with everyone from the class I started with. I did not always pay attention in class, I dreamed a lot, but still something sank in. We hung out at a coffee shop that is no longer around, listen to forbidden music, and broke rule in tiny ways (like wearing sandals). I graduated January 66. I miss the days of my youth and naivety. I was free then and did not know it. I also miss San Francisco, the way it was... read more

great HS experience, just graduated 4 months ago! im goign to give it 5 stars for the people - most of the students are very dedicated to learning and even those who arent big on the education aspect are very nice and open minded - not a gang-dominated school. mr.murphy the stats teacher is great - puts tons of effort into making sure his students get the material. we have the best history dept ever. mr.ko, mr. vera, and mr.layug were the 3 history teachers i had soph, junior, and senoir year and their classes literally changed my life b/c they were the most attentive, caring teachers ever who gave 200% to their students, even tutoring them outside of class with no extra pay whatsover. it changed my viewpoints and perspectives on not just history, but in life - to be more open minded and senstive to political idioms and the real life curent problems and to be more active in our communities and just to be a better person. so thank you. the honors and AP classes are popular here, our school has its share of dedicated, intellectual students who are up for a debate on anything. - we have a speech and debate team and a dance company. we are one of the fw SF High schools with a speech team and one of the ONLY High schools that have a dance company, aside from lowell. lots of really dedicated, kind people here. we do have our share of crazy, really bad teachers though - public edu system, what can i say, and the on campus beanery food sucks and the balboa street off-campus resturants are Overpriced, but definitely consider coming here - there are tons of opportunites you can take advantage of here :] read more

ohhhh of all the schools i went to.. this was my favorite. why? cuz it was within walking distance of home... but if i got lazy i could take the 38 ocean beach and it would drop me off practically in front of the school. the orchestra was actually good back then (yay first place gold at the anaheim heritage music festival). the school actually had spirit when it came to rallies.. and unlike other schools *ahem lincoln... their football team actually won games. lol i wish i got to finish up my HS years here but i was forced to change schools to go to the same school as my sister.. which didnt matter cuz we pretended like we didnt know each other anyway! lol.. inside.. i'll always be an eagle.. :) read more

Terrible school. No class control. Teachers do not discipline. Filthy restrooms. Highly disorganized. I wish I never went to this school. Don't send your kid there either! read more

4 years of Pleasure ain't too shabby, for those who took music

4 years of high school here. not sure what i can say... can't say it was the best 4 years but i can't say it was the worse either. i made many friends here but not much that i still keep in touch with. there are some good teachers and some not-so good, but it's like that in every school right? i like the days where you get off early and the open campus was great. of course, we all take advantage of the nice view of GG bridge. read more

hated it when i was there but i love this place, need more white ppl tho!! i was the minority!