This is a great private school. My kids love it here. The teachers are wonderful and the academics program is great. I believe that children are truly happy here. God bless this school read more

St Monica's is a Catholic School but you do not have to be Catholic to attend. I say this because there are many families that enroll their children there and although there is an occasional mass and religious event it certainly isn't like when I was a student in K- 12. There is faith formation but there also is respect for other faiths and the bottom line is that the administration respects each student and their religious preference. I have a special place in my heart for St Monica's not only bc I am a coach there but I truly appreciate the Community. Every parent goes above and beyond to have a positive impact for their child during the school year. There are also a few local businesses that promote special events for the St. Monica's community. There are many open houses to attend along with special events that one is welcome to enjoy. Please feel free to contact me for more information. We do have an Octoberfest Event next month. Please let me know if you want more information!!! read more

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We were all set to enter our kiddo into public school when the pandemic hit. The SF school district didn't seem to handle it very well, and we started looking for other options. We talked to some families and got glowing reviews for St. Monica! Turned out to be an excellent choice, a good school that places priority on the children. I recommend this school. read more

I am an alum of this school and it saddens me to think that so many parents will overlook this school to choose other private/Catholic schools in the city. The parent community seems incredible here and very involved. I am aware that tuition plays a very important factor in choosing a private school, but after doing some research I discovered that it is quite reasonable (and less expensive) compared to other Catholic elementary schools in the city itself. Currently, each grade is a dedicated class with teachers that have been teaching here for many many years. I filled out the "Edit Business' option on here and the actual correct website address for St. Monica School is: http://www.stmonicasf.org Normal school hours are 8:00AM to 3:00PM, with an option for Extended After School Care from dismissal to 6:00PM - Monday through Friday. read more

We transferred to St. Monica from public school when our children started 2nd and 4th grade. We absolutely love it! Our children made new friends quickly and are thriving academically and socially. It is wonderful to see how the students take care of each other! We don't live in the neighborhood, but the nearly half hour drive is worth it to us. The historic school building has been fully earthquake retrofitted and just got a must-see science lab! We love that St. Monica is so welcoming of everyone, no matter what one's faith journey or background may be. read more

We enjoyed the Kindergarten teacher and the principal very much as they are very understanding, compassionate, and reasonable people. Our son blossomed under their guidance during his first year of schooling outside of preschool. From the parents' orientation to K graduation, everything was carried in a professional and organized mannder. Very impressed with the X'Mas performance put on by the music teacher and students. Hats off to Mr. Sweeters for the changes he has brought on to the school and hope for better things to come! read more

We have a 4th grader & kindergartener and transferred to St. Monica this fall (2009) from another Catholic grade school. We are loving it! Our 4th grader transitioned beautifully ... her new classmates were very welcoming. Ms. Mauchly has a great open-door policy and has been very helpful in working with us to improve our daughter's weak area. Our kindergartener is having an amazing time. Mrs. Padley has found the perfect balance between understanding each child comes into school at different levels and yet helps each child grow and succeed to reach a more common ground by the end of the year. The parent community has been very welcoming and kind. We feel very at home here already. The principal, Mr. Sweeters, is incredible. He has been open to new ideas, he welcomes parent involvement, and he is very hands on with the students. There are great after school programs: spanish, mandarine, CYO sports, Science club, Drama club and more. The teachers, staff and princpal are top notch ... with very low turnover (a huge plus). The price is a great option when the public school lottery doesn't work out and private school isn't a financial option. We are so happy with St. Monica and more importantly our kids love going to school there. Please give it a look! read more

An incredible school!. My wife and I sent all five of our children to St. Monica school where they received an excellent eduction, played sports while embraced by the Catholic faith community. They all said that their first year of high school (St. Ignatius Prep) was easy because many/most of the material had already been covered in 8th grade at St. Monica School. All of our children We would give St. Monica School 10 Stars if we could. read more

Our boys having been attending since January. They love the school and the teachers. St. Monica is a hidden gem of a school in San Francisco. Ssshhhh... don't tell anybody. :-) read more

Wonderful school with an amazing staff and close-knit families. We started our son in top 10 public school for kinder in San Francisco and transferred him to St Monica after 2 weeks. The teachers at St Monica were nurturing and caring and we loved the structure and support for the students. We have gotten to know all the families in our son's class and I have to say that we are so pleased with the school, the curriculum, the extra-curricular activities and the student and family community. My son has really thrived there. We wanted a safe and nurturing environment that helped our son to love learning while building his character. This was exactly what we found at St Monica. read more

We are so glad to have chosen St. Monica School 5 years ago! Our 4th grader, 2nd grader and kindergartner love going to school everyday. Not only are the teachers and staff excellent, the school also has a close and responsive parent network/club. We especially love the intimate, neighborhood feel of the school. The teachers at St. Monica School are warm and nurturing, and also very academically focused, with a curriculum that is engaging and fun. Arts and PE are incorporated into the children's weekly routine and not compromised. In addition to regular school activities, our kids are learning Mandarin in their After-School Enrichment program as well as participating in CYO sports. The tuition is also very reasonable compare to other private/parochial schools. Highly recommended! read more

Love the diversity, caring and love community. The teachers are excellent to shape and influence the students. It holds high standard education morally and academically. Parents support the school community. Love the school !! no regret to put my son in this such good school. read more

Love the school and the community. Great diversity, inclusion, high education standards, class size and rich history. We live in the Sunset and have several other options for education near us but decided to make the commute to St. Monica because we loved the students and faculty. read more

My kids went to a parochial preschool and we were satisfied with the curriculum, enrichment activities, and moral values instilled upon them in the preschool. So it was an obvious choice for us to look for a parochial elementary school when my older son was ready for Kindergarten. We toured a few parochial schools in the neighborhood last December and were impressed with Saint Monica for the following reasons. 1. Leadership: We found in Mr. Sweeters, the Principal, a leader who sets clear direction and expectations. He was honest to point out the limitations of the science lab which was undergoing a makeover. He demonstrated the school's ability to respond to change by showing the various amenities that have been added to the classrooms such as wireless technology. He inspired us to believe in the school's vision. 2. Faculty: We spoke to Ms. Padley the kindergarten teacher. Her holistic approach to kindergartners derived from the best of multiple educational systems appealed to us. We spoke to Mr. Mullens, the Vice Principal. He stressed on how the higher grades prepared themselves for high school not just academically but also by creative thinking and practice that reflect the core values of the school. 3. Space: The school has ample space to accommodate an indoor gym, art room, music room, cafeteria, and extended care facility in addition to the spacious classrooms. 4. Adoption of Technology: Technology when adopted correctly can be a boon. Otherwise it can be a distraction. We liked how the classes used voice amplification systems not only to assist children with disability but also to help all children with their public speaking skills. We liked how the school used secure web portal not only to keep you up to date on the progress of your child but also on the various events, and activities scheduled at school, thus eliminating a lot of paper trails. Cut to the present, my son is a happy camper at Saint Monica. He enjoys being in school and is constantly learning new things from his teachers and peers. As working parents, the extended care facility was a must have for us and we are quite satisfied with the programs offered including Mandarin, piano, guitar, academic chess, and sports scheduled in the indoor gym. In addition I like the protocol and procedure followed by the staff to secure the premise when I go to pick up my son. Suffice it to say Mr. Sweeters runs a tight ship and it has been smooth sailing so far. read more

class of 01 :) 8 years spent at this school.. and i would go here again if i could.. the freeze bell after recess... lining up to go back into class.. we were like drones.. but for some reason.. my overall feeling for this place is warm and fuzzy.. i got myself into a fair amount of trouble.. but i was always a rebel.. and most of my graduating class was.. on the flip side.. my sister attended.. she hated the people.. but she loved the fact that when she got into high school.. she was already way ahead.. there is a clear difference between education you pay tuition for and the ones you dont read more

I live 6 blocks away from the school and never knew it existed until last year when I was searching online for kindergarten options for my son. I had already toured all the public schools in the area, but I just wasn't "in love" with any of them. Don't get me wrong, they all were just fine and nice schools, but none of them felt like the right fit. I found St. Monica's on Greatschools.com - it's right down the street and had a few great reviews. I called them up and toured the school the next day. Like most parents, I want the best for my kids. I want them to feel safe, loved and be challenged. The moment I walked into the school library for the start of the tour it just felt right. The library was warm and inviting - small, but in a good way - it felt intimate. Then I met some parents for current students. They were warm, friendly and welcoming. I felt like I was meeting new friends. The principal, Mr. Sweeters, is great. He's a little soft spoken, but very friendly and it's obvious just how much he loves the school and how much the school loves him. We're now a little over a month into kindergarten. My son is loving it! He's excited about school each day. He comes how with so many wonderful stories about what he's learning and the friends he's made. He's actually asked me to pick him up as late as possible each day so that he can spend more time with his friends (from all grades) in the after school care program. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this hidden gem. Everything about St. Monica's fits the bill for us from the art program, PE, language program, music, and the after school extended care program. I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful community! read more

We did a very thorough analysis of school options for our daughter. St. Monica seemed like a perfect place for her. The tour convinced us that this school would be our focus. After speaking with several teachers and Mr. Sweeters, the Principal, it was clear that the school values character development just as high as academic achievement. Several older students spoke and assisted in the tour. I was impressed with the poise and maturity they had. I learned that public speaking is a skill emphasized in the curriculum and students have ample opportunity to practice this. St Monica has been everything we had hoped for and much more. Our daughter is now in her second year at St Monica and she is thriving. If you're interested in an environment where your children will be challenged, supported, loved, and developed into exceptional people, you should seriously consider St Monica. We are so lucky to have found it. read more

We really love this school. Our daughter has been here since kindergarten and is now in first grade and things couldn't be better. We aren't catholic but we feel completely welcome and we very much appreciate the values that are an important part of school life at St. Monica - they are universal values and have a real impact on building the students' character. Great teachers, great academics, great community, great parental involvement (and not overwhelming), great focus on the whole child and not just testing... what's not to love? St. Monica's is awesome! read more

We have been sending our daughter to St Monica's for the past year and its been wonderful. The teachers do an incredible job with the kids and our daughter couldn't enjoy it more. For me the most impressive thing is that the kids of all ages really take good care of each other, regardless of what grade they are in. read more

Great school, great curriculum, great teachers...after school programs and extended care all on campus. St. Monica is a hidden gem. We are so glad we chose this school for our son. You wouldn't believe how much they learn in kindergarten. read more

Love love love the school. Both my kids have been there since kinder. They are now in the 7th and 4th grades. Love the level of communication between teachers and parents. My kids are challenged every year and they love this! Curriculum is amazing and definitely getting the kids ready academically! Also they do a great job preparing kids for public speaking! So glad we chose this school. Kids in all the grades share the feeling of community this school exemplifies. The school is a gem! Take a school tour and you will get the true feeling and nature of the love the teachers have for the kids! read more

St. Monica's has a long family history with my family. My mother went there and graduated about 1935. Her 4 children were also educated there - class of 1956, 1959, 1964 and 1974. My mother's second grade teacher was my principal (Sr. Mary Bernarda) My parents were married at St. Monica's. I was married there and when my daughter got married she also chose St. Monica's. we have celebrated baptisms, first communions, confirmation, graduations, and funerals all at St. Monica's. I recently went to my 50th reunion and was able to reconnect with some wonderful "kids" that I went to school with. St. Monica's will always hold a special place with me! read more

Our oldest son is in the eighth grade at St. Monica's- and we love it. We've nicknamed St. Monica's our Happy Accident. SF Lottery didn't work in our favor- and this school is walking distance (loathe busing children around!) But the sense of community and level of attention and care is INCREDIBLE. We have a second son who is in second grade and as early as kinder everyone was reading- and quite well. I've heard horror stories of some " great" public schools where this is not the case. The tuition is reasonable (less than preschool), and the involvement of other parents *not busy bodies* is admirable. I mean- if you are going to raise children in the city, and we are a dying breed, why not have an extra set of community helpers to watch over them- so no one goes astray? The school is very up and up- and the current principal- Mr. Sweeters -is a great leader. I highly recommend St Monica's and feel the school is a breath of fresh air in our downtrodden educational system. CA is not fiscally sound and they keep hacking at education. So sad. Feel comfort in knowing things are sound at our school. read more

My son is in his fourth year at St. Monica. The school offers a strong community, solid academics, and extensive parental involvement. With a single class per grade level (usually 20 - 25 children per grade) the kids have an opportunity to form strong & lasting friendships, and receive individualized attention from the staff. Like many parents I initially focused on applications to the "elite schools". In hindsight I'm happy that we selected St. Monica, as the school frequently places as many or more children each year in excellent high schools (e.g. St. Ignatius) as the "elite schools", all while charging tuition that's one quarter of the cost of the "elite schools". Additionally, the kids are exposed to a much more diverse group of children, and the environment lacks the high stress tension often found at a number of private K - 8 schools. read more

We LOVE LOVE LOVE St. Monica school. We have a 3rd grader and a Kindergartner and they both love their teachers, their friends and the school community. Its like their second home. We couldn't be happier. It has a great community of parents, and faculty that really care about the kids, and the school is also academically challenging. A lot of graduating St. Monica students go to the best High schools in the city! Come visit-you'll be glad you did! read more

As a parent of kids currently attending the school, I'm very pleased with both the standard of education and sporting activities at the school. The new principal is a very welcome addition to the school. The parents remain very involved in both the school programs and they help foster a strong sense of community at the school. The school places a high percentage of their graduating class in both Lowell and St. Ignatius. My kids play soccer after school run by knowledgeable coaches. Overall, I would recommend this school to parents who would like their kids to receive a well-rounded education. I prefer a school that will always strive for academic achievement and maintain a focus on their personal development. A visit to the the 8th grade class will satisfy all parents of the schools quality. read more

As a graduate, I have to say my experience at St. Monica's didn't really shape the way I go about life now. However, coming from that Catholic school helped me choose a Catholic high school as opposed to a public school, and that was one of the best decisions of my life. I loved my teachers at St. Monica's - too bad more than half of them are gone now. The only problem I had was that I didn't have good writing skills once I went to high school, but I went back to St. Monica's, told Mr. Mullen, and they made an immediate change. The teachers really care that you do well in the future. The principal I had, Mr. Allen, was horrible though. Enrollment dropped incredibly after he took the reins; I'm very glad he's gone! In terms of other students, I was in one of the bigger classes, but I don't talk to anyone from my class anymore, except for the other 2 whom I went to high school with. Though maybe that's because of the high school I went to because at least half the kids, who went to other schools, from my class party together now that we're all in college. In terms of extracurriculars, considering it's a relatively small school, there are so many options. I loved playing sports and being a part of so many things! All in all it was a good experience, although perhaps the uniform may have scarred me a bit, but it's Catholic school, so that's expected. read more

Looking for an elementary school in San Francisco can be a daunting process. St. Monica School is a wonderfully small school with a caring community of both teachers and parents. Our kindergartener is thriving. Students are engaged, they know one another and are treated with respect. If you're looking for a supportive, small community, be sure to check out St. Monica. It's a wonderful school in SF's Richmond District. read more

From a (somewhat recent) graduate's perspective, I can honestly say that the education I received at St. Monica put me at such an advantage in terms of being prepared for high school. The transition was a breeze academically, and I know it's because I was challenged during my middle school years while still having close, nurturing relationships with my teachers and classmates. I went to another elementary school for five years, then transferred to St. Monica in the 5th grade, so I can't resond to the previous reviewers' comments about issues in the younger grades. But I can say that, with the new principal, things seem to be changing for the better and it's developing a sense of community that wasn't there when I was a student. Overall, I would highly recommend St. Monica's. read more

We are so happy that our 3 kids go to this school. We had tried for the public schools a few years back; and I truly believe we didn't get the public school we wanted because our kids were destined for Saint Monica. It is a hidden gem, with amazing teachers that are so nurturing and interested in seeing all kids thrive. No email is left unanswered when I email any teacher or the principal. The aftercare school programs are amazing also, with Spanish, Guitar, Piano, Chinese, choir and chess available to name a few. Problems in the classroom and yard are dealt with swiftly and carefully. Our kids love the warm and caring environment and are as happy as can be when I drop them off every day. I also like the idea of the older class kids getting paired up with a kid from a younger class to help tutor them. This builds up both the confidence of the younger kid and older kid with this mentorship. Perfect school all round! read more