I went to high school here for two years, freshman and sophomore year. I felt like a lot of the…read morekids here don't care and it causes other students to not work as hard. The school is actually really nice and I love LOVE how it is right by the water. Teachers here are nice.

My son just graduated and my daughter is a Freshman! We thought it was a great school for my son…read moreand so far so good for my daughter. Every school as it's challenges, but have been impressed with admin and teachers. My son had a issue his Freshmen year and the admin was very responsive. He did say, that the admin can be a bit slow responding dealing with just students and is faster when parents get involved.

As a San Francisco native who has lived in this city my entire life, I have watched St. Ignatius's…read moreculture since I was a teenager. It is heartbreaking to see that after all these decades, nothing has changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. They almost won me over with their presentation, but it's all fake. Throughout the admissions process, they do this aggressive sales pitch to get the kids excited. They send out "pick us" emails and even have applicants start picking out freshman activities and clubs as if they are already part of the community. While other schools do a bit of this, SI is on another level of aggression. It is dangerous and honestly sick to manipulate young, impressionable kids into imagining their whole future there, just to turn around and reject or waitlist them because they don't have the "right" last name. My kid is a First Honors student and a dedicated student-athlete. My kid did everything right and proved they belong in any top-tier classroom in this city. It is insulting to see kids in the exact same class with extremely poor grades get accepted while a First Honors student is sidelined. I understand that legacy can help maintain a school's culture, but you cannot put unqualified kids in that environment at the expense of students who have actually earned their spot. It proves SI is prioritizing family trees over academic standards. It's a "who-you-know" club masquerading as a meritocracy. If you are a hard-working SF family without a legacy connection, don't let them waste your time or your child's heart. . As a native, I'm done with the SI "tradition" of prioritizing connections. Parents deserve to know the truth before they pay that application fee.

It's been over 45 years since I've visited the campus save an event that my friend invited me to…read moreattend about 13 years ago at the girls' gymnasium. With that being a sit-down Father's Club event, I didn't tour the campus nor interact with many people other than those at our table. My thoughtful and generous friend and fellow alumni (7 years my junior... yes, I'm ancient) invited me to the 2025 Red & Blue Celebration (the school colors in case you wonder) (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=5s3hwZL7O__cD3sB352W0A) (thanks for giving me this sense of appreciation). The school changed, dare I say, actually evolved since I was a student there. It's co-ed now, unlike the boys only policy when I roamed the halls. There are tennis courts, a training room, a swimming pool, and a women's gymnasium, besides a spacious library and new theater here. Since my 2012 visit, they've torn down the Carlin Commons and the Orradre Chapel to build a student center and expand the campus. There are piazzas and viewing decks (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=oOKX0YeUCx8PkpynlKc-PQ), an improvement from our view of the sand dunes and the Pacific Ocean back in the '70's. The view (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=FGD9kf2tLvU3ivSZPNSCpA) is still there but the sand dunes are gone. You know you're old when buildings or halls are named after staff who you personally met as they taught at the school. The event was festive and a great way to reconnect with fellow alumni and possibly classmates. I met one and was surprised that he remembered me and, yes, I remembered him at the mere mention of his name as one of the participating food donors to the event (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=dcKbKC0yJ_bdKMg4I8dBnA). I met another acquaintance in the local restaurant industry and got to catch up with him (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=4wgzMRh0KVTIvEjhaWklYw). It was nostalgic yet at the same time exhilarating, seeing the passion of the alumni who participated in this event, whether contributing or attending. The night ended with a heartwarming encounter with a recent graduate who returned for this event. After getting her degree from an Ivy League university, she was taking photos of the campus like I did and was preparing to take a selfie. My gracious host took the photo for her and we struck a conversation. What we learned was that she just graduated and just moved back to the Bay Area to start her career. My deeper reading is that the loyalty, devotion, and gratitude from former students to the school for providing them the necessary tools to realize their dreams and goals. To me, that is invaluable. Bear in mind, my perspective is from an alumnus, not a student.

I have a daughter just ending her Sophomore year at SHCP. She came from a smaller, more elite "all…read moregirls" school in SF. The transition to a much larger and co-ed environment has been seamless. SHC has all the benefits of a much larger school, but with the sense of community of a smaller school. The dePaul program has provided a smaller cohort within the school to be a member of, that allows you to feel like you belong from day one. Each kid seems to find their own, or a few groups to be part of from guitar club, to cross country, and from debate to the major sports teams. She has loved helping the tennis team have the most success the team has ever had in the school's history - yes, even beating SI! The friendly rivalry between SI & SHC is great, but I believe SHC now has the edge in most respects! The benefits of SHC include the size and scale to have a big high school experience, supporting school teams, finding the right level of challenge in just about every class; the only truly racially diverse school in the city, surprisingly open-minded attitude to embracing all religions and atheists; a great campus with lots of space outdoors for the kids to hang out at lunchtime and the walk between two campus's to catch up with friends between classes; the most fantastic school library in the city - in every respect; a fantastic theater and great arts/music program, and so much more. I had never even considered the school until I dropped in on the Open House on a whim and I was sooooo happy when my daughter chose SHC over the 5 independent school places she was also offered. Two years in we have no regrets! It's a school that encourages every individual kid to thrive and be the best version of themselves that they can be - allowing huge levels of independence whilst offering support and an invisible safety net should they start to need it. I'd strongly recommend including it on your list of potential high schools to consider.

This school is a waste of your money, and I agreed with a prior comment, they do not care about…read moretheir students they only care about your money. How is it that their mission is to serve and help the world, but when their own students begin showing signs in disorders like autism or ADHD there is nothing they can do? They do not have teachers in special education? With all the money that you spend, the response is ultimately sorry we can't help you, even if your kid is a 4.0 student.

Urban was a small school when I went there in 1969. Students could do pretty much anything they…read morewanted. While they received grades, they were not allowed to see them. Instead, they were given narrative evaluations. The school was selective, with more of an emphasis on the humanities than on the sciences. The overall idea was for independent-minded students to take charge of their own education rather than having it spoon-fed to them. Those who were interested in college went on to good schools, including the Ivy League. There was a definite "radical chic" atmosphere to the school, with a number of students from wealthy families going to Cuba to join the Venceremos Brigade. I remember reading Marx, Freud, Sartre, Marcuse, Baudelaire and taking a class from a beat poet. Each year, students were required to conduct an independent study project. Because I was interested in music composition, I wrote a piece for small orchestra that was performed as an overture to Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." I gather the school has become much larger, offering a greater variety of subjects to study. As an alumnus, I contributed small amounts of money to the school, but I drew the line at teachers going to "white privilege" conferences. Urban is an excellent choice if you have the money, are okay with an ideologically charged atmosphere, and have a highly motivated child who wants to take charge of his own education in a safe and supportive environment. The only negative thing I can say is that the Haight where the school is located is a sketchy neighborhood.

I interviewed at Urban wearing a fuzzy argyle sweater and baggy cordoroy pants. The person who…read moreinterviewed me said that "I didn't care about my appearance." I found that odd comment of her to make. And then it was really funny because I was going through a philosophical phase. So they had me come up with my own question and I came up with something kind of amusing actually and based on that I was admitted. Next I observed Geometry class and thought it was really interesting how it was taught, students worked in math groups which I wasn't so good at. It did impress me that the students made presentations on Geometrical formations, not just the usual proofs form of standard analytical geometry. Although I got the feeling that most of the work wasn't very rigorous, not for my future plans at least. I think Urban is too small, some rural schools can't help it. But Urban caters and coddles not making academics too hard or else students leave in droves. And it gives its students a leg up in boosting their egos by helping their odds of being accepted to Stanford. I always wanted to go to a big high school where you can meet a new person everyday. To that was an exciting prospect after an all girl's private school where you've known the same people for nine years and you want a mental divorce. OMG. I think there should be a Mega high school/secondary school located in the Presidio where students from all social circles can interact and learn that this is actually what the world is about. I think it would bring back the energy of the city which is plagued by the prestige factor. My sister attended Urban as a freshman and I don't think it was a good school for her to reach her potential and develop competency and a positive self image. And I honestly don't think the setting of the Haight Ashbury is really a good setting for personal educational success given that its located in a neighborhood world famous for elicit drug use. What do these schools do with all this revenue from tuition? I mean are administrators embezzling it or something. They don't pay teachers so much and the Urban school hasn't spend money on a new buidling recently. So it is a scam. Make your happy and get them to reach their potential try out School of the Arts if you are looking for an artistic school. Really talented artists go there and an infusion of more socio economic status diversity would benefit SoTa. Public school high school students in SF tend to become much more independent and responsible than the stiffling environment of the well meaning private schools. Public high schools in SF is a fun and stimulating experience where practically every AP credit class is available. Save your money and put it in your 401k or take really nice vacations abroad instead.

Our son is graduating from WPLS this summer after starting in kindergarten--and we couldn't be more…read moregrateful for this school. WPLS has given him more than strong academics: he's made lifelong friends and grown into a confident, kind young person. The teachers truly care, and in the past few years, the new principal has brought such positive energy and improvement. There's a strong sense of community here--families are involved, and every child is known and supported. We're excited to see the school continuing to grow. If you're looking for a nurturing, values-based K-8 school, WPLS is a gem!

This is a great K-8 private school. Affordable and top notch…read more My 2 sons went there and both got into top SF high schools. They said freshman year was like a repeat of 8th grade because they were so well prepared. The Lutheran Church that runs it is pretty mainstream and a nice place for a church home. Both the church and school are hidden gems. I recommend them.

UHS has stellar teachers and offers a supportive environment for high school students. The school…read morepushes students hard on the college-prep route. Advanced Placement courses and tough courses all-around. They get you in to college and make sure you do well there. Top notch school. Very greatful for having gone there. They recently added a new building at 3220 Sacramento Street which houses Ceramic and Art Studios, a film lab, offices, and much more. They are in the process of renovating their lower campus on Washington Street and have already completed a new library on Jackson. A new theater was added in 2001.

I was spoiled by my four years here and received an education that is on par with (if not superior…read moreto) that of many universities. Make no mistake the coursework here pushes students hard, but the opportunities here are endless and display an incredible diversity of passions and talents. During my time at UHS, I played on the varsity tennis and badminton teams, played intramural sports, performed in the spring musical, wrote for the school newspaper, founded a club, sang in the chorus, took a photo class...oh and I took a few academic classes in between. The kinds of classes I took included AP US History, Mandarin Chinese, Literature of the Vietnam War, Western Civilization, Calculus, and the list goes on. My only regret? Not studying harder and pushing myself to try more new things. You can be an artist or a businessman. You can explore the sciences or delve into the literature of your favorite foreign language. It really is as much as you want to make of it. The faculty is top notch, with credentials from outstanding academic institutions and more importantly, a great ability to encourage the students to WANT to learn. And let me save the best for last. The students. The people. Ambitious, talented, and bound to do amazing things. Yes, I sound like a propaganda tool. But I cannot say enough about this school. Alumni events connect me to a wide array of grads in locations and industries far and wide. If you are considering sending your child here, you are doing them a great service. Don't let the finances deter you - the education is first rate and financial aid is available to those who qualify.

As a student of this school the teachers are nice and the the place is clean the place is just over…read moreall really great. There is also barely any bully and actively there is no bullying. However the lower level boys bathroom is dirty due to kids peeing but missing the toilet or urinal

I pick up my niece here once in a while when needed. Love that they have the conveniency of a…read more'drive-thru' to pick up your child. lol. Since there aren't enough parking to park and run in and pick up your kid.

My daughter is a freshman and really likes Wallenberg. Where it is a small school, this comes with…read moresome great positives: small classes with more 1:1 teacher attention for students, ability for kids to get to lead clubs, participate in sports and get to know their community. Teachers are really responsive to parent and student inquiries and care about the kids learning and enjoying school. The principal and school administration works hard at ensuring kids are safe, getting a good education and feel supported. The wellness center staff is very active and supportive of kids, helping them navigate their teenage challenges and growing pains.

Don't go here 100 community service hours is required. They also don't allow free periods even if…read moreyou have finished enough credits for it.