Millennium School stands out for us as a place that our son absolutely loves to go to every…read moremorning. His friendships, connections with faculty and staff, and learnings are critical foundations of his intellectual growth and personal development. One of the most impressive aspects of Millennium School is its project-based learning approach. This model encourages critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration--skills that align to our child's interest in history and social sciences. Students have the opportunity to explore subjects in-depth and engage in real-world applications, which prepares them for success beyond the classroom. The faculty at Millennium School is exceptional, with highly skilled and passionate educators who go above and beyond to support students' academic and emotional well-being. Low teachers to student ratio support faculty in taking time to know each student individually.

Millennium is a remarkable middle school. The teachers (aka guides) are dedicated, caring…read moresuperstars in progressive education. Millennium intentionally builds a welcoming community where everyone belongs by holding regular school-wide morning meetings, camping and educational travel, and advisory gatherings. Millennium nurtures the whole child through mindfulness, real world experiences (including service in the community), wilderness days, etc. Millennium will allow your child to grow academically by developing competencies/skills and socially/emotionally by giving them the right combination of space and support. The school puts the latest research on neurodevelopment into practice. Millennium believes in supporting teachers and parents to improve the wellness of students and the entire community.

This is a review for Mission Graduates Extended Day Program at Alvarado Elementary School…read more We are extremely disappointed in this program. The teachers have little to no training and some of them seem like children themselves. The program directors are stoic and cruel at best. They have no idea how to handle students with disabilities. They are what I would call bare minimum childcare. They handout multiple word searches for kids to do for hours. It is impossible to pick up your child because the school doors are locked, they do not answer calls, texts or knocks on the door. Parents wait on the sidewalk for up to 30 minutes waiting for someone to exit the building, in order to pick up their child. This is the worst program I have ever had my child in, but unfortunately it is the on-site aftercare that we are stuck with at Alvarado.

Great org! Work with youth in college access programs!…read more They have a great event coming up called Food for Thought: http://www.missiongraduates.org/foodforthought/ Eating out never tasted so good.

Global Exchange is one of the organizations that got me into anti-corporate activism. This was way…read moreback in 1997, and although I'm still not as socially responsible or active as I can and should be, I've learned a lot, read a lot, and participated a fair amount. Global Exchange is the rare nonprofit whose judgments and campaigns I almost always agree with. That's very difficult to say generally, as I've been turned off by some bad decisions by some very prominent groups in the past. But when it's Global Exchange, I know its heart is in the right place--and that whatever it's advocating for or against is probably the best solution. I really thought when I moved to San Francisco that I would get more directly involved with Global Exchange, but things happen, as we all know. Still, I do think about GX's wonderful campaigns and information every time I pass by their headquarters near the corner of Mission and 16th Street. It's fitting and perfect that they're upstairs from a McDonald's, across the street from a Burger King, and right next to a high-crime intersection and BART station.

Global Exchange has been around for a long time and is based on finding realistic and workable…read moresolutions to our economic and social problems at home and abroad. Their targets have been to get Fair Trade to replace Free Trade as a basis for our commerce, giving people a chance to travel abroad and practice citizen diplomacy in the major trouble spots where it's needed the most, supporting peace- making in place of militarism, and much more. They also sponsor the Green Festival to give organizations involved in ecological and enviromental movements a chance to exhibit and promote their causes and well as vendors to exhibit their wares. I have volunteered for the green festival twice and really got a lot out of it. I highly recommend participating or attending. I have been on one of their reality tours to Cuba. It was more than a decade ago, but it stands out as a memorable experience. I got a chance to meet a lot of ordinary Cubans, see the countryside, and do what I could to help. It was magical. No other word will do to describe the experience. They are always in need of volunteers at whatever level of skills, technical ability or artistry and whatever your time and circumstances allow. They are serious about their work and getting things done, but they don't let that stop them from having fun doing whatever they do. They sponsor many occasions for getting together with other people who are working toward the same goals and exchanging ideas on how to accomplish them. Global Exhange is the parent of Code Pink: Women for Peace. It's not just for women though. Men are just as welcome to participate in their actions and efforts to reform our government and make it live up to the ideals of the Constitution and democracy. As with many other groups, how they are portrayed by the media is far from the reality. They are firmly rooted in non-violent activism and civil disobedience. They do it with a sense of humor and even siliness. That pink stuff is protective coloration. It's hard to beat up on someone who's making you laugh as you arrest them and hustle them off to jail.

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.

SFFS is such a wonderful school. I'm so grateful my kids get to attend - they're receiving a…read morestellar academic education, rooted in Quaker values. I've heard our faculty refer to the fact that "reflection is our super power", and I can see how valuable that is for my children as they develop and grow. And I love the parent community, it's a joy to be part of this inclusive and welcoming environment.

The SFFS faculty is amazing! The academic program they have created offers students an opportunity…read moreto grow as creative, collaborative, and competent problem solvers. One of my favorite things about SFFS is its emphasis on experiential learning and the focus on student-interest-driven projects, field studies, and community collaboration. All SFFS students are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives, ask meaningful questions, and contribute their unique voices. It has been such a joy to watch my children learn and grow in such a wonderful community.

CYC - Community Youth Center is one of the best youth programs here in San Francisco. In high…read moreschool, a few of my friends, classmates and I met up learning martial arts every Monday right after school in the cafeteria (at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School). Community Youth Center does have some good resources and some of which helped keep teens involved in something educational. At this very moment, there is no additional information about CYC I can think of to add but I am really happy I spent time at CYC which kept me motivated. This program is a good way to achieve an education at your own pace. Being a former member of CYC, there is something I'll always carry with me and that is the spirit to meeting and becoming friends with other people. For me, my motivation in CYC was to be outgoing. Interesting in meeting and becoming friends with new people? Come to Community Youth Center or feel free to check out: - www.cycsf.org As a former participant at Community Youth Center, this organization is designed to help keep teens and young adults out of trouble. By all means, this is also one of the best ways to make more friends, expand your social network, etc. Just click on the link I provided for more information or feel free to stop by one of their three office locations as listed on their website!

I love CYC! You can really meet some amazing people here, and end up achieving really amazing…read morethings. This place is good for teens to keep occupied and out of trouble, and its a great place to explore things that are new to you, and even more, to learn about yourself. I found one of my greatest interests by becoming a part of CYC, and I will never forget that.

This was a good school -until SFUSD showed us how incredibly incompetent they are by bringing in a…read morenew principal (Amy Gottsfeld) who has no business leading anything -particularly a place of education. She is quite possibly the most incompetent person on the planet. She brushes any question off with pure BS -never addressing the problem. Nothing she says makes sense to her staff or anyone for that matter -she's all about deflecting and can't even seem to make sense of the simplest questions. She's straight up unintelligent and not qualified to lead a school. Shame on SFUSD.

Our two sons love going to school here. It has great teachers, a wonderful principal, and a very…read morehands-on parent community. Even though it's in an urban area, the Peabody community has a small town feel. Everyone knows one another and there is a genuine interest in making the school a great place for the kids. The PTA plays an active role in raising money, putting together terrific after school enrichment programs, and finding ways to spruce up the surroundings. I highly recommend Peabody!

Dropped my son off for Camp Mendocino this morning. Had a wonderful application process with their…read moreamazing camp team. Last year I had Natalie who supported me with the process and again this year, I had the pleasure of getting support from Amira. Because of Amira, my son was able to go to camp this year. She was approachable, professional, and met me where I was. We are from the Tenderloin clubhouse and being treated with dignity is an important attribute. Appreciate you. I wanted to also point out the amazing supervisor on sight who under pressure.was able to keep all the parents grounded and calm. Lettie was able to keep the lines moving and had everyone organized and happy. What a successful drop off. Thank you for making the parents feel secure and trusting that you will take great care of our children.

This club has a great swim lesson program. They are located at the EI Boys and Girls Club in…read moreHaight. They have a sliding scale based on household income starting at $100 for 8 30minute lessons. Even at full price it costs less than anything you will find around. They have a very diverse program with very well trained staff and have 4-5 kids per class. They also have a SWIM TEAM! It consists of 3 groups (beginner, intermediate, & advanced) which practices daily. I think anyone who wants to dive into the world of swimming should come check out this club!