My daughter went to Carver in 2015 . When she started there she was the head of the school coming…read morefrom Contra Costa County now I'm from San Francisco but we lived in Contra Costa County for a few years. When I brought my service animal with my partner and yes my partner is a girl around together anymore so you know it was a girl but it was a pitbull or service animal she was very nice she was a seizure alert dog because my partner or ex partner had seizures while the principal decided to call the police on us. For no apparent reason other than the fact that we were queer and the fact that we had a pitbull for a service animal. Not on not only did my daughter get behind instead of a head like she was before they didn't like us because of the pitbull and because we were a gay couple they were homophobic and to me that is pretty messed up but I got her in Hillcrest and Hillcrest is a wonderful elementary school thank you

This review is only based on attending one of their school performances. I was lucky to be invited…read moreto watch my friends daughter perform last night 5/23/24 at Bret Harte. Big "UPS" to the Program Director and the staff/parents that put on the showcase together. I felt it was very well organized and the auditorium was full of great energy; it was a wonderful way to showcase the kids talents and their beauty. You can see the children really enjoying themselves and how great it made them feel; it's so important for kids to feel special and be recognized. The energy from the parents was so great. The parents showed up and showed out for their kids. Fave part of the evening is that the host would call out on the mic if someone's car was gonna be towed for double parking. LOVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT!!!!

Afterschool programs here keep the students occupied and stimulated. Wish I had more time to be…read moreinvolved. They need more volunteers!!

We love AVS! This gem of a school has been amazing for my two boys. The teachers are top notch -…read morethey are incredibly skilled at providing customized, differentiated instruction that engages students. From the music department to math, our kids have been provided with enriching learning experiences. Teachers meet their students where they're at - my boys have each received some extra guidance in areas where they required practice (spelling! writing) and have also had the opportunity to advance beyond the traditional grade level curriculum in areas where they excelled (e.g., math). We've been super impressed with the school's response to COVID - administration has juggled the priorities and needs of families who wanted their children to return to in-person instruction, and re-opened the campus as soon as the city permitted it - as well as the needs of families who have chosen to keep their kids in virtual instruction.

My son is thriving at Alta Vista School and I can't wait to send my second son there. Moving from…read morea preschool environment where he didn't have clear focus and seemed distracted, my son transformed almost upon entry to Alta Vista. The small class sizes and nurturing attention of his teachers have been invaluable. Even the head of school attends to each child -- he knows them well and they love him. He also teaches science to the children of all grades. It's amazing to have a head of school in the classroom like that! At AVS, my son has learned about the world in an integrated way, using math, science, art, history, reading, music and play in innovative ways that help the children to really understand the projects they work on. The AVS teachers are amazing! They develop their own curriculum, meet in grade level teams for collaboration, attend creative professional development education and spend each day engaged, caring, and earning the much deserved respect of their students who love them. I know AVS is new, but there is no other school in the city where I would rather have my children.

I have the privilege of working nearby and witnessing the good that goes on at Daniel Webster on a…read moredaily basis. The children are smiling and laughing, the teachers are very friendly and really seem to enjoy their jobs. The families seem to linger after drop-off to chat. There is a tremendous sense of community at Daniel Webster. I hope that my children will be able to attend there! See more at: www.danielwebster-sf.com

My daughter attended DW this last school year, and I'm giving it 3 stars only because her teacher…read moreMs. P was absolutely amazing. I was really excited to find out there was an available space for my daughter, but take heed, if your child isn't starting in Kindergarten and you aren't going to do the immersion program (Spanish introduced to the education) I would NOT recommend this school. It seems all the good kids are in the immersion classes and they've stuffed all the "others" within the General Ed. My daughters reading level barely progressed throughout the year (we had to do a whole lot of reading at home), and it was mostly due to the fact that the teacher spent the entire day just trying to get the kids to focus. There was a lot of bullying and kids that are trying to grow up extremely too fast and in all the wrong directions. Also, the parents aren't very nice or welcoming. The entire year I only got to know one parent in my daughters class. The staff is also not very nice. I understand dealing with kids can be rough, especially this crowd, but telling our kids to shut up and being flat out rude 85% of the time to not just them but the parents as well.... I don't agree with that. Having switched my daughter to Creative Arts, I already notice a HUGE difference... from parent participation, warm welcoming faces, not to mention the staff actually ENJOY their careers with children and it SHOWS! All things I did NOT experience at Daniel Webster. By far.

I am a current parent at the school - one preschooler and one elementary. We looked at all the…read moreprivate schools in San Francisco, and could not be happier with our choice. We love that our kids are so happy at the end of day: singing songs, talking about things they learned, and dirty from playing so hard outside. The kids are learning about the world (how to be strong community members, take care of the environment, etc.) as they learn traditional academics. The campus has beautiful outdoor space, so the kids get outside while growing up in a big city. Additionally, the school provides our whole family with an amazingly supportive and diverse community. Not growing up in San Francisco, it is fantastic to have people help drive carpool, have playdates with, and develop strong friendships with. Mostly, I am continuously impressed with the faculty and administration. The Head of School is so energetic, devoted, and committed to the school. The entire administration is responsive and supportive to our needs, which, at times, have been many! (It is expensive though...but worth every penny)

This is my daughter's 4th year at The San Francisco School (we started in preschool 3), and we have…read morebeen very happy here so far! The teachers and staff are warm and nurturing, and the community is very down to earth and kind. We especially love the strong SEL program and excellent music program. We also very much appreciate the school's Extended Day (aftercare and summer camp offerings) as a family with two parents who work full-time. SFS rocks!

This is a great neighborhood school. My daughter started kindergarten here this year. We're loving…read morethe school very much. It's a small school. The sense of community is strong. Principal Cheung seems to remember all the kids names. And the whole school has positive attitude overall: instead of scolding what's bad, they applause what's good. My daughter's classroom teacher says "you cannot learn problem solving skills unless there's a problem." I like that approach very much as supposed to try avoiding having any conflicts. Also, they get free breakfast, lunch and snack. They may not be eating organic, the yummiest or the healthiest, but it's great that I don't have to stress about packing lunch everyday. After school teachers are as great as the other teachers. I truly trust all the staffs there that they are giving all the kids the best learning environment.

A student in j Serra its a wonderful place and on monday june 3 2019 all the fifth graders are…read moregraduaron

Horrible 2 of the teachers liked kids when I went there and all the "staff" are useless and doesn't…read morehelp with any of the kids. They also choose and pick who they like.

I am very happy that my two kids can study in VVES because they are very happy to school every…read moreday, and enjoy at school activities. teachers in this school are humble and nice and kind to students . they support students and try to let them improve from heart. they patiently because every student is special. They may have their own personality and abilities, I am appreciative that teachers are very nice to my kids. I can feel the atmosphere at this school is kind, nice, peaceful .

We never thought that Starr King would be a good choice when we picked school for our little girl…read more It turned us down at the beginning just because it was next to the biggest low-income housing project in the city. Our daughter was placed in one of the schools in Chinatown. We decided to transfer our kid to Starr King after we heard from a trusted friend whose daughter is going there. After one year, we affirmed that it was the right decision. Best I can say: involved parents, passionate teachers, dedicated principal and nice staff. As my daughter said, even the lunch lady was nicer; the custodian lady was a friendly boss in the cafeteria. I always believed that Chinese classes should only be prepared for kids from Chinese families until I saw all those wonderful non-Chinese Kinders spoke so fluent in the Kindergarten graduation. Good job Kinder teachers!

Yesterday was my 2nd + last time working at this school. The front office was very: disorganized,…read moreslow, the lady was also slow too. The teachers were also: disrespectful, one of them i tried holding a convo, she said nothing, jusf stared, they had attitudes, unprofessionalism, and i'll no longer be working as a sub in this school ever. This is absolutely 100% not a good school to work at, at all. Im sick and tired of all those people, god damn!

You'll wish you could be a kid again and go here!…read more This school is incredible - the teachers, staff, and students alike! The ethos of the school focuses on children as changemakers, the idea that each student has the ability to change the world. Within this framework, they center the child, and focus on "knowing the child well" and the child "knowing themselves well". The kids learn from a young age what makes them thrive (what environment, what tools, what topics interest them, what their growth areas are), giving them self-reflection and self-understanding skills which they will take with them for their whole lives. The school also focuses on instilling a growth mindset with the power of "yet", the idea that anyone can learn to do something new at any age. My absolute favorite school saying by far is "mistakes are magic"... Can you imagine growing up thinking that mistakes are just a part of learning and nothing to be ashamed or feel guilty about? I wish I could go back in time and attend this school!

We're in our second year as parents at Live Oak School, and we've been very pleased with the…read moreexperience. Our daughter loves going to school and really has enjoyed the teachers and staff, the lunch program, and the the experience to date. Things We Really Liked: * Weekly Field Trips in Kindergarten, which helps the students get to know the community / city and get comfortable with public transportation and exploring. Several also involve parents driving, which is a great opportunity to meet a lot of kids and other parents. * AnjiPlay, which helps promote exploration and team work, while also introducing a hint of "risky play". * Camp Live Oak, every year the entire school community goes to camp in May for 3 days, two nights. It's a wonderful and unique community building experience. * School lunch (included with tuition) program is great * Facilities are great - fairly light-filled former Hillsbro building in Potrero Hill, most classrooms have great natural light, Jackson Park is across the street. One of the few schools with a climbing wall (and will now have climbing as a middle school class). Small gym on sight, with UCSF nearby to support sports. * Very thoughtful and intelligent curriculum that they continue to respond to feedback on. They are expanding the Spanish program (currently starts in 4th) to encompass K-8. They are trying a new 8th grade capstone trip this year (traditionally DC) to be Civil Rights movement focused -- Memphis - Alabama - Atlanta. Things to Consider / Areas Could improve * The school doesn't come out of the gate hard in academics in kindergarten, ie they stay pretty light on reading, writing, and math the first year. This ramps up - for some kids very quickly - in first grade. This is probably ok, but parents should be prepared / aligned with it. Know that Live Oak 8th Graders place very well at the more academic high schools in San Francisco. They know themselves well, and they are prepared academically. * Extended Day Program. There are great hours of coverage (730 - 6pm, and holiday care on many of the days there is school off) available for working families. The enrichment programs leave a bit to be desired -- particularly the sign-up process. they seen to have way too few slots and getting a slot is like getting a Yosemite campsite. Soccer program is good. Be prepared to augment this outside of school if you have strong desires.