I am posting this at the request of my daughter as our family's experience was the opposite from…read moresome of the recent concerning posts. We found our way to St. John's after leaving other schools due to bullying, and it was a turning point for us. Our journey to St. John's began after a difficult time at a small private school where the teaching environment was harsh -- too much yelling, derogatory remarks, and constant anxiety. We tried to tough it out because on paper it was a great school, but our child became withdrawn and her grades dropped -- completely out of character for her. We tried a larger public school next, but on the very first day, she was physically threatened by another student. We lasted only two days! We were lost. I cried for three days straight. My husband and I felt terrible for putting our child in such tough situations. Then came Ms. I. at St. John's. She welcomed our family with open arms and helped us navigate the paperwork so our daughter could attend orientation before the first day of school. From the moment our child walked into St. John's, we saw a visible change -- relief, joy, and confidence. That first week felt like a dream. After school, students hung out together at the village, grabbing ice cream and boba, and quickly settled into routines with sports, leadership meetings, and more. I cried again -- this time from relief. Our happy child was back. And she only grew from there. Yes, of course our child made mistakes, but the disciplinary process was fair and supportive. Ms. I, Coach Z, and several teachers stood by her, creating a village that truly supported our family. She applied to all the top high schools -- the ones everyone hopes to get into -- and was accepted into every one, including their honors programs. I credit St. John's teaching philosophy for this. Students are encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussions, and be themselves. It's not rigid or confining -- individuality is celebrated. Throughout our time there, families, teachers, administration, and especially Ms. I were always kind and welcoming. Whenever I had concerns, I felt safe voicing them. Meetings were arranged quickly, and even when we disagreed on outcomes, I always felt heard and respected. For 10+ years I have been actively involved with my children's schools, serving in various leadership roles such as Room Parent, Head Room Parent, Faculty Liaison and PTA. During this time, I consistently experienced respect, collaboration, and a strong sense of community from the administration. Though we were only there for two years -- 7th and 8th grade -- we consider ourselves Eagles for life. Our only regret is not finding St. John's sooner. With gratitude, Nenette & Family

Our Family's Experience at St. John's School…read more Our family has been part of St. John's for four years, and it's with sadness that we are withdrawing our children this week. Unfortunately, our experience has been deeply disappointing. Both of our children have faced ongoing bullying at the school. While many of the teachers genuinely care and do their best to support students, the principal consistently fails to take accountability or address serious concerns. Communication and organization at the leadership level are extremely poor. The principal often does not respond to emails, avoids meetings, and minimizes legitimate parent concerns. Promised resources and support services are routinely mentioned but rarely, if ever, implemented. The school itself also faces significant challenges it is underfunded, the facilities are outdated, and the bathrooms are consistently unclean. These issues have persisted for years without improvement. We had truly hoped for a different experience, but based on our time here, we cannot recommend St. John's School. There are other schools in the area that offer stronger leadership, better communication, and a more supportive environment for children and families.

Sending my kids to St Finnbarr is a decision I have not regretted. Peace of mind know that your…read morekids are in a school where they thrive, enjoy going and enjoy learning. Mrs Mortonson is a super principal. She's extremely dedicated, approachable and sincere. This will be our 5th year and I'm great-full to say my kids love the school, as do we. All the teachers are amazing too. The Spanish program is getting bigger and better every year. We've got 8 more years to go!! Homework club has really helped our daughters homework habits. Our son enjoys chess club and tennis. There is also a many after school enrichment programs to choose from. I really feel like we hit the Jackpot when we found St. Finnbarr. And it seems most other parents feel the same way.

Grateful to be part of the St. Finn Barr community -- a school that blends warmth, curiosity, and…read morecharacter in everything it does. The teachers go above and beyond, the families show up, and the kids grow into confident, kind learners. It's a place that truly brings out the best in everyone who walks through its doors.

Not very organized. My daughter has been attending the school for many years and it seems there are…read morea lot of days off along with half days as the years pass. Because it is a private school, we find ourselves donating money that is "mandatory" for many events along with very few non-mandatory monthly school socials. On a positive note, the Church itself is Beautiful.

This has been my church for 17 years now so of course I'll be biased with my 5 stars. I celebrate…read moreMass every Sunday and on special occasions like Easter, Christmas, etc. This isn't the most amazing church, nor is it the biggest or wealthiest, but the congregation is a small tight knit community who always greet each other with a smile and a hello. After 17 years, I couldn't imagine being a patron at any other church. I walk in and I feel cozy, right at home. I see the same people every week and being an alum of school I still know many of the teachers who come to celebrate student masses once a month. I've even volunteered to be a catechism teacher here. In summary I LOVE ST. FINN BARR.

This is no ordinary school. The intentionality in more than just the education shows in my…read moredaughter's life. I really appreciate that this school aims to be different in a way that is family centered and aims to foster each child's unique gifts to name a few things . The financial investment is worth it!

This school has been instrumental in our families education journey for both our 7th grader and 2nd…read moregrader. Donum Dei staff truly care about their students, the academics are top notch, the enrichment activities are so great! Being here feels like being a part of a huge joyful family!

Our oldest son started at PP Glen Park and then transitioned to the Noe Valley campus when it…read moreopened in September 2023. We love the teachers, the community, and the location. My son is so happy to go to school and will often incorporate the concepts he's learned in school in his play at home. His favorite unit, so far, has been on the ocean and sea creatures. His teacher, Maestra Olga, is always bringing in new toys that complement the monthly theme and help to bring to life the ideas of what they're learning. The parent community is wonderful and very supportive. The school is on a slow street so most days there's a crew of parents and kids hanging out after school scootering and biking. Our son was able to develop his initial biking skills on the blacktop at school and then hone and expand them with his friends after school.

Primeros Pasos has been an absolutely wonderful preschool experience for our family! Our daughter…read morehas been at PP, both at Silver Park and Noe, for 2.5 years and will complete preK there prior to starting kindergarten in the fall.  The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and dedicated. They have made such a strong impression on my daughter and have shaped her learning not only through unique projects, but also by helping her develop socially and emotionally. They take the time to understand each child's unique personality, helping them grow with confidence and curiosity. The bond that my daughter has developed with all of her teachers - as well as the broader set of teachers that form the PP community - has been amazing to see. I've been most impressed by the Spanish curriculum at Primeros Pasos. The teachers have helped my daughter truly learn Spanish and prepare her well for a spanish immersion kindergarten program. My daughter is constantly engaged  - whether it's through art, storytelling, music, yoga, or play and this has really sparked her creativity and thinking. Beyond the classroom, the sense of community among parents is something truly special. At both the campuses, there is a strong culture of families looking out for each other, being inclusive, and really being involved in the school community. My daughter knows her classmates and many of their family members and we've made some amazing friends through the community as well.  Lastly, I'll highlight that the school's administration and operations have been extremely reliable. There are no surprise days off and there is strong teacher retention. We've come to rely on PP as a really solid and safe environment for our daughter.  We're so grateful to be part of the Primeros Pasos family and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a preschool that truly nurtures the whole child!

I wasn't a member of St. Paul's growing up, but many of my friends were, so I was familiar with the…read moreparish. In high school, I started attending their Saturday afternoon masses for a short while. One day, a priest who also worked at my school recognized me from those masses and kindly said hello--a small but lasting gesture of welcome. Over the years, I've noticed the same spirit in the people who grew up in the parish: thoughtful, reflective, grounded, and kind. And yes, the church itself is every bit as beautiful as people say.

St. Paul's is home. The awe one feels sitting in the beauty of the church assures me that God lives…read moreat St. Paul's.

hahaha im with you Natalia!!! what has the world come to??? im totally yelping my church lol…read more.... (btw, hows the baby Nat?) Anyways............. getting back to my church... Ahhh ive been going here since I was a little girl, got my first communion and confirmation here as well. its not the biggest and fanciest church but its ohhh so beautiful. St. John's is about 145 years old and is the only church in San Francisco that still remains its original stain glass window that wasn't affected by the 1908 quake. The people here are the friendliest, non judgemental catholics you will ever meet!...... and you can't beat donut sundays yummmmmyyyy!!!!

Nice church, feels like home. It's located in-between Mission and San Jose Avenue. You can see the…read moretwo steeples from Excelsior. I have enjoyed the music there for about 2 years.