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.

We have had an amazing experience at Adda Clevenger. Our daughter is entering her third year here…read more We were coming from the public school system, which had served our daughter exceptionally well in elementary school. However, when she started middle school she was missing several teachers due to staffing issues and we made the decision to explore private options. Adda Clevenger was able to offer our daughter a spot in their 6th grade class several weeks in to the school year and has served our family exceptionally well ever since. Our daughter has very full days filled with instruction in the core curriculum which includes math, science and English as well as dance, theater and visual arts. The classroom size is small and allows her to really bond with her classmates in an environment that fosters creativity and freedom of expression. The kids have very full days but all to the good-- our daughter always come home tired but also excited about what's been happening in school. The community has been welcoming and offers many events over the course of the year in the form of dance, choir and theater performances that exhibit the progress the kids are making and provides us the opportunity to connect with other parents. This is a much more engaging and enriching middle school experience than I ever had as a child. The school is vibrant. Music binds the entire operation together. Truly a beautiful, well-oiled education institution. Our family is very grateful to have found Adda Clevenger.

Adda is really such a special school. The teachers are lovely and really seem to care about each…read morestudent, the curriculum is thoughtful, the class sizes are small, and the arts program is phenomenal. I hadn't thought that arts portion would matter so much to me, but let me tell you, 3 year olds singing Paul McCartney at the winter concert is really a sight to behold. Memorizing material and getting on stage to perform at such a young age is really a wonderful gift to give to kids. I'm also continually impressed with the art teacher and what my kids bring home. The community is also a really nice group of families. There's no big fundraising campaigns which is so refreshing in a private school environment. So glad we found 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.

Review is for their summer program - my highly functioning child spent the summers here and it's a…read morelovely experience. We do the whole day program. The small size classroom setting really helped. It is more on the expensive side as a summer camp but I do think it's worth it! Sara does a great job to make sure new parents are familiar with the school and the staffs helping out during the summer camp. Although they don't do field trips during the summer camp, they go to the local library and the playground a couple blocks away from the school each day. That worked out for my child during the summer. It is sad that we outgrow the age - but I love the amazing work that Sara has put into the Sequoia Village Schoolhouse. I do wish we have more offerings like Sequoia Village Schoolhouse throughout the city/area. So many highly functioning autistic children are often overlooked, especially during the summer time.

Very nice owner, safe space for kids who need more support than public schools can offer. Most…read morekids have serious needs and it's frequently a temporary placement, it's sad that our system is so broken and that many privates discriminate but it's wonderful that schools like this assist when there is a gap in education. This is a home based school, great for kids who need low stimuli, not a fit for us but wonderful nonetheless.

My wife and I transferred our children to New School when red flags from their previous school…read morebegan not only affecting their academic performance but also their emotional. We invested a lot of time and effort to find a school that could rekindle my eldest's natural curiosity and love of reading and math. My only regret is not enrolling my kids here in New School earlier. New School is everything what learning should be. The staff is genuinely enthusiastic, professional and committed to the philosophy of the CORE values of the district. The energy the staff at New School brings was the needed vibe to negate all the toxic experiences my children had to endure from their previous school. I inquire with my children each day as to how their day goes at New School. As a parent who only wants the best for my children, I am grateful for them to have been gained so much in the short time they have been enrolled. Recently, my son told me, "Dad! I understand Algebra now!" The excitement in his voice could had never been heard from during his time in his old school. I asked him, "What do you like about your new school?" He replied, "My teacher is very clear in explaining the material. They just don't give out work and tell us to figure it out without teaching us. Also, the lessons (his teacher) hands to us gives me the chance to be creative, And, I don't have to be afraid anymore when I ask a question. My old school would yell at me a lot." I truly believe the early experiences children gain influence not only their ability to learn, but also how they value themselves and others which are key components in creating that lifelong relationship with higher education. I cannot speak enough of how great New School is. I wish all schools could model their program.

Our child is in 7th grade at New School SF, and it's going very well. He's had excellent teachers…read more (A special thank you to Ms. Heather in 6th grade, so talented!) The school is high-performing. The curriculum is rigorous and thoughtful. Many of the field trips have been service projects, like serving a meal at Glide or removing invasive plants from Chrissy Field, which is wonderful for building character. They do a one-night camping trip in 7th grade. They hold all-school events that celebrate different cultures. There's an annual middle-school dance and class parties. They walk to Joe DiMaggio Park for PE three times a week. They have middle school sports teams. Conflict among the kids seems minimal. There's a good emphasis on equity. Downsides: The electives are limited because the school is small. They have a cafeteria that can be used as a community space, but no separate gym, and the yard is small. The commute from across town is tough, but we have a good carpool going. These downsides are outweighed by the fact that our child gets an excellent academic education in a friendly, safe, and professional environment. Public middle school in SF is tough, and we're very happy to be here.

Brightworks is a truly magical school! It has been a place of complete transformation for my child…read more As a seasoned educator who has taught in public and private schools in both the U.S. and internationally, I can confidently say that the Brightworks ethos and pedagogy embody what children need to thrive and succeed in our ever-changing world. We came to Brightworks when my older daughter was in 4th grade (also known as the Quartz band). She had previously attended another wonderful school--where my younger daughter continues to thrive--but it simply wasn't the right fit for her. By 3rd grade, she was taking three half-hour "bathroom breaks" each day, essentially the equivalent of cutting elementary school. She was being bullied by peers, had grown to hate the process of learning, and was beginning to believe that she was "dumb." She was also nearly two grade levels behind in reading. After exploring many schools, we discovered Brightworks. It wasn't flashy, but it immediately felt like the right place for her. Our first day was challenging. Although she had struggled at her previous school, she also found change difficult and was resistant to starting somewhere new. She refused to enter the classroom and instead ran up a tree in tears. The teacher (collaborator), Shirvan, responded with remarkable patience and warmth, reassuring me that my daughter could join the group whenever she felt ready. The administrators were equally phenomenal, offering compassion and support when they could see how embarrassed and overwhelmed I felt with my "spirited" child. About four hours later, she finally joined the class. Within just a few days, she loved school so much that she was sad when the day ended and disappointed when holidays approached. After each winter, spring, and summer break, she was thrilled to return. Within a year, she progressed from reading at a 2nd-grade level (e.g., Dog Man) to devouring upper elementary and middle school novels such as the Wings of Fire and Warriors series. She came to love school, the process of learning, her teachers, and her peers. She transformed from a wilted flower into a blossoming tree. The ethos of Brightworks is to meet children where they are and to approach learning through real-world contexts that spark their interests. Science and math are taught through hands-on exploration and authentic problem-solving, while reading and writing are developed through both personal interests and guided learning around social justice topics. Students gain genuine critical thinking skills alongside practical experience using shop tools. The multi-age, schoolhouse model allows older students to care for younger ones, fostering responsibility, empathy, and meaningful mentorship. Every collaborator is dedicated to guiding each child to become the best version of themselves. I only wish that all teaching and learning could be approached in the way Brightworks does.

Our son is 8 and in the middle of his 3rd year at Brightworks…read more We couldn't be happier about how the school has supported his learning, both socio-emotional (he is high energy and we were worried he'd be seen as a 'bad' kid at a traditional school) and academic (particularly reading, where he's been a bit slow, but now is right on track and loving reading). Brightworks' approach is project based. Not just doing projects *in* classes--like the science class doing a science project about earthquakes--but doing interdisciplinary projects *instead of* classes, with a greater degree of fluidity and flexibility in time and approach. The school has a strong maker and tinkering culture. We also don't have things that more traditional schools have, such as tests or grades, though we do have parent conferences and documentation of progress in several key areas (like a swim school report card). The kids do NOT sit at individual desks. A lot more time is spent outdoors, and we're in the Presidio, so there's tons of nature to explore. The kids aren't organized into typical grade levels, like K, 1, 2, 3. Instead they're in "bands" of up to a dozen kids each, giving the school more flexibility in placing kids in the group that they'd most benefit from being in each year, with less stigma if a child is "skips" a grade or is held back. The school's approach is naturally well-suited for kids with different needs. E.g. the focus on meeting every kid where they're at, individual learning trajectories, and being able to take the time that the kids need rather than being tied to a fixed daily or weekly schedule with lists of specific learning objectives. We've gotten great and entirely non-judgemental support for our son. That said, as a small school and as a private school, not every need or circumstance can be accommodated and we have seen a couple classmates over the years with, e.g. dyslexia or autism, move on to more specialized schools. (If your kid has special needs, I would ask about it; we do have many neurodiverse and other kids with particular needs that are doing great and seem well supported.) One thing that exemplifies the school is our annual Maker Marketplace where anyone in the community can sell things-like crafts, food items, gifts, or even carnival games or other experiences. It's entrepreneurial and community-forward, and there's a fair amount of open-endedness in what is possible. Maker Marketplace is a bit chaotic and a lot of fun and learning, and to me that really is the Brightworks way.

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.

I had a nun tell me in 2nd grade to go fly a kite--that's as authentic as one can get no?…read more They also had me doing long division by the time I was in 2nd grade vs my younger sister who went to public school in 2nd grade (she was starting single digit multiplication). She switched over to private school for grades 6-8th.

My husband graduated from this school and now our son attends it. We love it. It's a small school…read moreand very community based. The principle and teacher's are wonderful.