Long before we ever came to Synergy, it was always a magical place we walked by -- the cool…read morebuilding with the wonderful mosaic and happy kids in the yard. Little did we know, we'd be lucky enough to become a "Synergy family" when our son started as a 6th grader. Synergy feels like an oasis in so many ways. Dropping off in the morning, you're greeted with a smile and a wave. The feeling of community at Synergy starts with the wonderful staff. The educators here are caring, honest, and continuously supportive -- they see your whole child. It always feels so good to watch our son walk into school because we know he is in such a positive, caring place. He feels it and we feel it. In addition to the amazing staff, one of the things we've appreciated most about Synergy are the real-life adventures they've given our son: Farm Camp, the 7th backpacking trip, and soon Puerto Rico, not to mention wonderful events like spring concert at Herbst Theater, Trading Day, the Probability Fair, and the Science Fair. It has also been wonderful our son has gotten to try so many sports including cross country, futsal, basketball, and volleyball; at a bigger school that may not have been possible. When we started at Synergy not only did we reconnect with many of our favorite families from preschool, but we have also made lasting connections with new families. We have enjoyed connecting with other families on social justice issues, at various sporting events cheering together, and just checking-in about parenting in the 21st century. We will remember and cherish everything Synergy has meant and given to us. Thank you Synergy! We love Synergy!

A warm, nurturing & academically stimulating school for your child as well as a true community for…read moreyour family. Centered on a progressive & intentionally inclusive education, we found Synergy to be the ideal school for our son during the middle school years. Just coming out the pandemic, we were seeking the right educational base to guide our kid though the often tough & turbulent middle school years, and after 6 years in a local public school which ended at 5th grade, we felt that this was the best choice & investment for our family. Synergy is a true community with extremely accessible and dedicated teachers who are committed to nurturing the whole individual. My son, who has a learning difference, was always supported by his teachers as they were routinely available for additional guidance & clarification when needed. Synergy's teachers and staff truly know each child and are remarkable at individualizing their learning and overall needs while still maintaining healthy expectations. Synergy's curriculum approach is based on project-based learning, wherein students apply what they learn in History, Language Arts (English), Science & more. For instance, the students can opt to create a graphic novel, write & perform a song, &/or do a cooking project based on their history learning & focuses. Also, in Science, they can propose a science project in which they are most interested and work either individually or in groups. At Synergy, there is ample hands-on group work and interaction both in and outside of the class, fostering an authentic appreciation for each individual child and the beautiful and diverse backgrounds which they bring to the group. Synergy is a small supportive school, with just 22-24 kids per grade in the middle school years, and a safe & warm place to grow. If these values resonate with you, certainly visit & apply. We feel so very fortunate for our son to have had this opportunity as he preps to launch into high school now, knowing that he has a solid foundation, both academically as well as socially, along with strong social bonds to continue growing and blossoming ahead.

Nomad has been transformational for our son. As a 2e learner, his public charter elementary school…read morewas not meeting his needs. He tested fine, didn't make trouble, and that was good enough. But he was exhausted every day by the energy it took him to find some way to be engaged and not consistently frustrated by his educational experience. In the end, we realized he was spending 40 hours a week in an environment that didn't really care about him. I was apprehensive at first about Nomad because it is such a radically different educational model. But the first moment he stepped into the school at his shadow day he said "This is it." And he was right. They lean into his curiosity and his natural love for learning. He comes home happy and excited to do projects of his own at home. The staff is extremely thoughtful, caring, and prepared to support all of the students, wherever they are at. They really are teaching how to be life-long learners.

We're currently enrolled at Nomad School in San Francisco with our son, and I want to share our…read moreperspective, not just as observers but as a family living this experience every day, and one that is genuinely, deeply happy with the choice we made. Writing this feels less like a formal "review" and more like an open note to any family who might be considering Nomad. Nomad approaches education with an eye toward nurturing the whole child. It's not only about academic excellence (though the curriculum is rigorous and well thought out) but about shaping confident, curious, and empathetic people. The school encourages students to grow into themselves as individuals while simultaneously giving them the tools and skills they'll need to thrive in middle school, high school, and beyond. It balances intellectual growth with personal development in a way that feels unusually thoughtful. One of the aspects that has impressed us most is the emphasis on experiential learning through the "nomadic days." Twice a week, the classroom is traded for the city and its surroundings. These aren't casual field trips; they are carefully designed explorations that connect directly to what students are studying. For example, a visit to the De Young Museum tied art history to broader discussions about culture, while a recent trip to a frame manufacturer in the Mission District gave students a behind-the-scenes look at craftsmanship and production as part of a project on photography. These outings create a sense of discovery and excitement that traditional classrooms rarely capture. They make the abstract concrete, geometry becomes the shape of frames, Pythagoras' theorem becomes part of an artist's toolkit, and history is not something read in a book but experienced in a gallery. These days are also socially unifying. The shared experience of exploring and learning outside the classroom bonds the students together. It's as much fun as it sounds, but it's also profoundly grounding. Children begin to see that learning isn't siloed or compartmentalized; it flows into every aspect of life, from the arts to science to practical, hands-on skills. Equally important is the school's culture of equity and respect. At Nomad, every student is held to high expectations, but they are also treated with an equal measure of dignity. This combination creates an atmosphere of fairness and encouragement that feels rare. For our family, this has been transformative. Our son, who came through public elementary school, struggled to thrive in traditional environments. As an ADHD learner, rote memorization and rigid instruction never brought out the best in him. At Nomad, he has found a place that recognizes and celebrates how he learns, while still challenging him to grow. It feels like a lighthouse in rough seas, a steady, guiding presence in a world where schools often expect kids to conform to a single way of learning. But it's important to note that Nomad isn't simply a school that serves neurodiverse kids. It's an inclusive school in the truest sense, an equal-opportunity place where differences are normalized rather than spotlighted, and where the community is stitched together by a shared spirit of respect and adventure. The student body represents a wide range of backgrounds and personalities, yet what unites them is the culture of warmth, curiosity, and engagement. There are daily rituals that build this culture, from collaborative projects to their near-daily Dungeons & Dragons sessions, which give students a chance to explore creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving in ways that are both structured and playful. In the time we've been a part of this community, we've already seen remarkable growth in our son. His confidence has increased, his curiosity has sharpened, and perhaps most importantly, he feels at home in school for the first time in years. As parents, there's nothing more valuable than seeing your child not just tolerate school, but genuinely love it, and that is exactly what Nomad has provided. We couldn't recommend Nomad more strongly to families who want a school that balances rigor with creativity, structure with exploration, and individual growth with community. It's rare to find a school that does all of those things well, and rarer still to find one that does them with such heart. If what I've described resonates with you, please feel free to reach on yelp - we're happy to share more about our family's experience. You can also contact the school directly, and they'll be glad to connect you with us or other current parents.

We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this school community. The school is small -- truly like…read morea family -- and that has made all the difference for our child. For students who thrive in a small setting with individualized attention, this school is a wonderful fit. There is a strong sense of belonging, and every child is truly known by their teachers and by students across grade levels. The school places strong emphasis on academics, while also recognizing that each child progresses at their own pace. They really practice individualized learning and meet students where they are. When our child first joined, they were shy, socially awkward, and often anxious. Over time, we have watched them transform into a confident and happy child who feels completely at home in this "school family." They interact comfortably with teachers and students from different grades, and they genuinely enjoy going to school every day. Communication with parents is excellent. Teachers provide regular updates and address any concerns promptly and thoughtfully. Problems are never left unattended -- they are handled with care and collaboration. Another huge plus is that the school is very low-stress for families. There are no fundraising pressures, drop-off and pick-up are smooth (no long lines!), tuition is very affordable, and there is free after-school care. The school even provides freshly prepared hot lunches, included in the tuition, so parents don't have to worry about packing meals. In addition, there is a two-month summer school program, which is incredibly helpful for working families. Most importantly, our child is happy, feels secure, and is making strong academic progress. We highly recommend this school to families looking for a nurturing, small, personalized learning environment where children can truly grow and flourish.

Absolutely don't recommend this school! Both Eric and Gayle are rude and unprofessional. They have…read morean outdated and non-inclusive way of handling things. My 5-year old was bullied in the school every day. Someone would use a pair of scissors to cut a penny-size hole on the knitted leggings/pants (on right knee) every single day for 2-week. My kid was terrified and scared. We initially thought maybe they are just having fun. We observed it that the kiddo was coming home with a hole on pants (same spot every day) and raised it to Gayle. Gayle didn't like it and "escalated" to her husband, Eric. The day after I spoke to Gayle we tried to have a conversation with Eric during drop off next morning. He literally took us outside the door and closed the door and told me "you are over the top" and "we don't have scissors freely available in the school." I tried to show him the pictures and the pants that I carried with me for proof so he can understand what is going on. I was hoping that he would hear us out and do something about it but instead he got in the defensive mode. Eric returned our tution check on the spot and said this is not working out and they can't accept our kid in the school anymore from the next day and dismissed any concerns about bullying. We were dumbfounded as the kid had no fault and was doing extremely well academically under Teacher Anna (great teacher). The last day we intentionally decided to do an early pick up after our morning conversation and surprisingly that's the only day she came home without any hole. Later we learned a boy named David was behind this. However, we are not sure if the name is accurate as she is still super scared. How many little kiddos need to go through bullying before adults accept that bullying is problematic and is a personality disorder. Stay away from this school!

We're a Stratford family with an 8th grader, and our experience has been extremely…read morepositive--especially in high school preparation and the overall school culture. The academics are strong and thoughtfully designed, and the teachers genuinely care about student growth. We've seen our child become more confident, independent, and ready for the increased expectations of high school. The support during the high school application process really stood out. The Principal and staff were engaged, responsive, and incredibly supportive throughout the process. Their experience and guidance helped reduce a lot of stress, and it's clear that Stratford students are well prepared and competitive when applying to some of the best high schools in San Francisco. We also truly value the diversity at Stratford. The school community includes students from many different backgrounds, which creates an inclusive and respectful environment. Our child has benefited from learning alongside peers with different perspectives, and it adds real depth to the overall experience. Communication has always been clear, and the school feels well-run and supportive. Looking back at our child's middle school years, we feel Stratford provided an excellent foundation for both academic success and personal growth.

Our daughter is an 8th grader at Stratford Middle School in SF, and we are grateful for the…read moreincredible role the school played in preparing her for high school. What stood out most was the strong academic foundation, strong teachers/staff, and like-minded students who wanted to excel in academics and activities. Stratford helped our daughter build strong study habits, discipline, independence, and the ability to manage a demanding workload. The teachers pushed her academically, but also supported her and helped her grow in communication, writing, public speaking, leadership, and overall confidence. The principal was also a major strength. He set high expectations around discipline, character, and behavior, which we believe are especially important in middle school. During the high school admissions process, his guidance was incredibly valuable, from parent presentations to interview prep, school prioritization, and being available to families. His relationships with high school admissions offices across San Francisco also came in handy. Overall, we are grateful for Stratford and would highly recommend it to families.

My daughter has been attending International since PK4 and is now in 5th grade. The school has…read morebeen a wonderful part of our lives. She is thriving academically and socially. The school's approach to fostering independent thinking through travel has helped her work through her separation anxiety. She's excited to go with her classmates to France for 2 weeks when not that long ago sleepovers triggered considerable apprehension. My wife and I have also enjoyed being part of the community. We are consistently blown away by the kindness and intelligence of the other parents. We believe that critical thinking and working productively with people with diverse viewpoints will be required to thrive as technology continues to develop. International is the perfect place to prepare our daughter for a changing world.

International has been a wonderful and very supportive community for our family. Our kids started…read morein K and the Maternelle, and have continued through high school in the French Bac track. The teachers are passionate, deeply creative, and insightful in ways that have made me a better parent -- really understanding my kids as unique learners, and tapping into their innate curiosity. Each kid has been inspired to craft their MS and HS coursework, sports, and global travel to their own interests. They've been challenged to trust their classmates, whether trying basketball for the first season or hiking on the other side of the planet. As parents, we've enjoyed an intellectually-engaged and lively community (even though we occasionally need to say Bon Voyage when families move away!). Our kids have grown into resilient, kind, academically fearless young adults. As I look back over more than a decade at International, I'm filled with gratitude for the teachers, coaches, and staff who really connected with them along the way. It's been a great fit for our family, no regrets!

Our family has been a part of the Children's Day School community for 5 years and counting…read more... As a parent, you can feel the joy that the kids are experiencing day to day. The community of parents is a strong and down to earth crew. The teachers are intentional with their teaching and overall, we have been thrilled year to year with the teaching teams. We feel very fortunate to be a part of such a diverse and vibrant community in the heart of the Mission District.... The farm and garden is a bonus to an already beautiful campus. But, most importantly, the absolute excitement that both my kids feel to get to school everyday is number one!

Amazing community based on inclusion and diversity. I feel…read morewelcomed since day one as a Latin background family and a safe place for my children to be .

Great school with a wonderful choralmusic program. Caring…read morestaff; small teacher student ratio.

St Brigid is a wonderful school with friendly students and great teachers .We are very satisfied…read morewith their academic level. My son is a happy student and we appreciate the St Brigid community.

I have been so impressed with the community that surrounds the school. Wonderful people who all…read morepull in the same direction to give children the best possible circumstances to succeed.

Our child is in grade K at St Philips and they/ we are generally very pleased with the school. My…read morekid is very happy. The school has done a good job of navigating the outside pressures that continue to make running a school difficult: COVID, national teacher shortage, etc. While I would like to get more updates on the day to day happenings in my child's classrooom, the work that comes home every week and parent teacher conference updates at the beginning of the year were enough to be able to support them at home. Pros: - small school - consistent routines and structures in class - after school programming available daily - strong parent community - academic focus - athletic community (for folks that want that) Grows: - Communication of progress Overall we have been pleased with the school and would be happy to recommend it to others.