It has been some time since I attended Zion, and the staff have completely turned over. My generation of students are now the teachers. However, now I know more about psychology and child development, and I think the institution is incorrigible. Of course there are some better and some worse teachers. I'm very happy that the Muellers are gone. I've come to realize that the school was complicit in the complex trauma that has left me a bit of a wreck. They wanted to be supportive, and my family had obvious health crises that the school supported us through, but even when my family was working well it was a psychologically damaging family. The LCMS church doctrine is that being psychologically damaging is actually a correct use of the Bible, so the teachers wrote me off as "weird" and left me to suffer. The staff have turned over, and the new staff I'm sure are better than the Boomers who taught me, but the whole draw of the institution is the segregationist education. I can see it in the product. The academic material continues to be more rigorous than what the public schools use. However, the children grow into monsters. (Not every child, but more often than public school, controlling for income.) They don't respect consent (the LCMS church doctrine is that there is no consent--look it up), they don't care about others' safety, and they don't necessarily learn the rigorous academic material. Also, they still require those stupid uniforms that Carolyn Grundt instituted in the wake of the Columbine school shooting. I hate those uniforms. read more

Not a school for every child. The school: -Caters to one type of child/student--the quiet, reserved personality type and learner. -Lacks ethnic diversity; therefore, doesn't seem to know how to empower students who are non-Asian/non-white (in fact, their interactions did just the opposite). -Has a low tolerance for differences that do not conform with their ideal; rigid. -Is not the inclusive environment that it promotes itself to be--unless your child fits a desired profile. Just wanted to provide additional insight from a different experience. read more

Zion Lutheran is an inclusive warm community for all. We have spent K-2 here so far and love it. Family feel with excellent facilities including an indoor gym and strong musical program as well as STEM/ computer components. Teaches social skills and EQ. A treasure. read more

EEK is right!! I spent most of my childhood at this school (2nd thru some of 8th grade) and would not dare entertain the thought of sending my children here. As a woman color (back then a child of color) this school is where I have had some my most abominable memories of seclusion and racism. Of the teachers I had there, only one reflects back a positive light (Mr. Klein); as for the others, absolutely horrible! After "milking" (if you will) my family for tuition as long as they could (middle of eighth grade, the last year they offered) they said that I did not seem happy there and/or I was a nuissance. What I do remember is that a new teacher came aboard the faculty that year and demonstrated little control of the class, to make a long story short he singled me out as a intimidator and perpetuator of trouble. I left the middle of that year. Now as an accomplished and educated successful woman of color, I must say these years have made me a stronger person; for I learned early on what racism truly was, how to identify it, and how to deal with it in the covert manner in which it was demonstrated at this school. Furthermore, after running into other students of color (those that were Non-White or Asian) throughout the years, many felt the same and shared their similar negative opinions and/or experiences of this school. Based on my personal experience, if your child is not White or Asian I do not recommend this school. Send them to a more diverse and less sheltered school if possible or realistic. Bottom line, do your homework parents, for these are years for positivity, not negativity! Nyla S.C. MSHS, HS-BCP read more

It's a small world after all! This is the feeling that I have when I think about this school. I spent 10 years of my life, from pre-school (which they don't offer) all the way through junior high school. The classes are small, no more than 25 per, and some of the kids I spent my entire childhood with. Looking back, I got a strong education. Most of the kids from my graduating class are doing well in life. The teachers are a give and take; I'd say the majority of my teachers were some of the most caring, intelligent people I've ever met. And while there were a couple I would rather forget, I'd say the ratio was pretty good. I do wish that religion was something that wasn't taught like history class. Although knowledge of religion is great, it's faith that makes it special, and that was something that wasn't strongly emphasized. Prayer and chapel were almost ritualized, and aside from religion classes and devotions read from a book, teachers never really shared their views on faith with us. But even that, I'm sure you can take as a good or a bad thing depending on your views of religion in schools. And while this school is safe, the faculty and parents are tightly knit, and is situated in a quiet neighborhood, it's a bit sheltered. Looking back, I wish I had more experiences with a greater diversity of classes and a larger student body. And though I don't think I'll send my kids here, my sister says she wouldn't hesitate to. read more

My son attends kindergarten at Zion. We love it here. From day one when I called the Admissions Director, Jillian, I was pretty much decided on sending my son here. Jillian was excited about the school, informative, willing to devote as much time needed to answer my questions. We took the school tour and was sold. Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Wong, is awesome. She really does love working with kids! Classes are small so my child gets full attention. I can see him growing academically and definitely in character. He is starting to read on his own and loves it. Math is also another one of his favorites. Wow! The school also offers plenty of extra curricular activities. He stays after school in extended care, where homework is first in priority. By the time we get home, we don't have homework to worry about and his energy is spent. Instead, we talk about what happened in school that day- and there is always something exciting that happened in school that day! My son definitely is receiving the academic and social guidance that he needs in life here. The entire staff is caring and attentive and often gives my son the extra attention that he craves. Zion Lutheran School in SF gets 5 stars- more if I could. read more

Transferred from a public school to this school and saw some dramatic changes for our child. Very impressed by his educational leaps. Difficulty at first but by third quarter major improvements. Teachers and principal made a concerted effort to help every child to succeed. It has been a most welcomed since there are very little support mechanism for public school teachers which translate to poor education for the kids. Not at this school. read more

I have been so blessed to have found Zion when I moved to San Francisco, I wasn't raised Lutheran but was looking for a Christian church close to my new home and Zion was perfect. Every Sunday I feel I understand what Jesus and God want from us and feel so empowered to serve God and be a better person. The bible study group is great too and I love it when our group prayer requests are answered by The Lord, many times almost immediately, it's amazing. I've made many friends at Zion and I'm extremely thankful for the love and friendships he has given me through Church! read more

I really appreciate the Christian community I have here. We are on fire for Christ and are not afraid to hold each other accountable. I really enjoy the music and the welcoming feeling you get from the congregation. The Tuesday night young adult Bible study get togethers are awesome. Food + drinks + Scripture! Game nights happen every once in awhile when we transition between books. read more

I transferred our children from a great public school to Zion for middle school in 2015. We love it here and feel very blessed. My children have been challenged and have thrived here. They have been encouraged to try many new things and have blossomed with confidence. Pros: rigorous academics, loving teachers, small class size, great community and lots of extra-curricular opportunities (math counts, robotics, bible studies, sports, choir, amazing Spring musicals, annual Lutheran academic/sports/art/music competitions in Portland, science fairs and national history day projects - up to state and national levels, etc.). They are so well prepared for high school (and they get accepted to all the top private, parochial and public schools). Cons: The facilities could use some sprucing (but please look beyond it). Some students may not appreciate the no nonsense, no excuses, demanding academics. There has been a lot of turnover in the past couple of years (new pastor, new principal and a few new teachers). But I feel like the school is on the right track. I feel the enthusiasm and the hunger for success - for each student, teacher, family and community. read more

Ok, since this is my first review for Yelp, I had to choose a topic/subject/place that I was familiar with. And for the past eight years, ever since I became a breeder, I am way too familiar with schools in SF. Of course with San Francisco Unified's crazy lottery system, my son was assigned to a school cross town....no way am I going to drive 45 minutes crosstown in the am....no matter how great the school can be. Anyway, I had to find a school that was close to mi casa.... Our first "adventure" in elementary school was at a nearby Catholic school (that will be my next review) and was everything "they" say about Catholic schools....which is to say, stuff that nightmares are made of (my niece's 23 yr old friend still has panic attacks when she thinks of her first grade teacher in above-mentioned Cath. school, which incidentally is the same teacher that my son had for the first grade and I am already saving money for his psychotherapy.....) By the time I realized that I had to get my kid out of the evil Catholic school, I was too late to apply for any neighborhood public schools...they were all full and again I was not driving cross-town! Just as I was mulling over my next step, I happened to drive by Zion Lutheran Day School, nestled in the corner of 9th Ave. and Anza St. Very unassuming, quiet, warm and fuzzy.....small class sizes (no more than 25 kids per class, EVER), lots of activities, older grades go on awesome "Outdoor experiences" to Yosemite, etc, in the springtime....best of all, this school does not gouge you in the wallet. The tuition is about the same as the pagan price of Catholic school (according to the three-tiered payment plan: in-parish, out of parish, and "pagan" which means "you who is not catholic must pay the most money") AND they do not nickel and dime you every week to buy bad chocolate bars, cookie dough or frozen pizzas. Oh, and the eighth-graders get into the same "good" high schools that the Catholic school kids want to go to......except Zion kids' souls probably are not in the Devil's possession. The education is very good and the teachers are very easy-going and have good relationships with the kids. I have not encountered one yet that scares me. There are lots of activities, a very strong computer/tech program, and sports/games with other schools. My only regret is the two years we wasted at the evil Catholic school.... read more

My son has been in Zion for over 2 years. He loves going to school everyday! I feel the teachers know him personally and are truly invested in his academic, emotional and spiritual growth. The academics are well rounded, integrative and fun! (For example, when studying a science topic, they integrate researching the topic while learning how to make a computer spreadsheet--and my son is 8 years old!). The field trips are varied and educational. There is an appreciation for the fine arts. (My son knows what "pointillism" is!). For a small school. the range of after school programs is notable: Mandarin, music, academic chess, various sports, Lego engineering class, to name a few. The culture is what sets this school apart. They encourage parent participation, but don't insist on it. They teach the older kids to look out for the younger ones. The school makes an effort to promote social justice and environmental responsibility. They raise money for relief efforts and worthy causes year-round, even when there are competing needs to improve the school. In all, I feel my son will graduate from Zion with a great education, cultural awareness, and a sense of responsibility to make the world a better place read more

The principal is excellent. She takes the time to sit with you and help you out on what you need. The school is beautiful and I love how it is set up. There is good teachers and a lot of extra activities that they do. They have a good curriculum also. The school is diverse also. There should more new updates because it is different from years ago. I do recommend this school to others. You should try out a tour and you will see that it is a good place and like a family. read more

I have probably toured 25 public and private elementary schools in SF, from SFUSD's bottom-ranked John Muir Elementary to Stuart Hall and Cathedral. Although Zion's physical plant is dreary , the kids at Zion were more enthusiastic and engaged in their classes than any kids I saw anywhere at any price. It took some convincing of my husband, who's non-religious but was raised Catholic, to get over the ugly building and the idea of sending his kid to a Protestant school, but now we and our bank account are so glad we made this change! Classes are among the smallest in San Francisco. Each child gets personal attention and support. Academics are challenging and fairly traditional (the Core Knowledge Curriculum is used), but presented by lively teachers who make learning enjoyable. They've announced changes to the math curriculum to kick it into a higher gear for next year. For such a tiny school, they have an impressive array of extracurricular activities. Middle school, where every student participates in city-wide academic competitions, prepares students well for Lowell and other competitive high schools. The spring musical is shockingly good. We really appreciate the emphasis on inclusiveness, the character education and the community service ethos that is instilled starting in kindergarten. The school is part of the missionary outreach of the church. Zion wears its religious heart on its sleeve more than Catholic and Episcopalian schools we've seen. No school is going to make everyone happy, but take the slam reviews with a grain of salt (most seem to be based on experiences several years ago with staff that are long gone) and see for yourself if you are looking for a relatively affordable school with strong academics, supportive teachers, impressive arts and sports for its size, and a culture of helping others. read more

A couple of years ago, while driving through the Anza area I came upon Zion Lutheran Day School. I have lived in this area more than a couple of decades and never noticed this "HIDDEN JEWEL OF THE RICHMOND DISTRICT". Funny, but it was also the day that I decided to remove my child from public school (due to lack of funding for their GATE programs) and wondering where I would find a safe and nuturing/caring environment that my child would learn and grow to be all she could be! Imagine my surprise that day when on impulse, I parked my car and went in to check out the school: I was greeted by the most fabulous administrative assistant Mrs. Freeman (she always has a smile on her face) who listened to my story and immediately had me see the Principal. After meeting & being welcomed, I knew that I had come "home". I met all the teachers, had a tour of the school and an appointment for my child to "shadow" the very next day. Her new class consisted of 18 students. I was impressed by the fine faculty and staff, I liked the idea of uniforms and dress codes (no more early morning issues regarding wardrobe) and a fine commitment to excellence! After attending Zion Lutheran, my child has continued to thrive, she has made the honor roll and is at last, happy in her own skin. Zion Lutheran is more than a private school, it is a community! Zion cares about its students, families and faculty & staff. We are a family, we help and care about each and every person. The faculty is fabulous! Every teacher is certified and has impeccable work ethics and expects the same of its students. Even during a transition last year, when a new principal was appointed and new teachers hired Zion continued to excel. The average class size is very small, better than Privateivate" schools or Catholic (where the class sizes start at 35 plus), each student has individual expectations and goals...computer sciences, language arts, PE., math and science...it is a tough work load of learning and responsibility for the student to excel. Zion Lutheran is a school is not for those wishing to just get by to finish school! Each student is responsible and held accountable for his/her work. I like the fact that there is open communication with the faculty/staff/students/families. As for the nasty, vindictive remarks made by some former students well, I would say, just consider the source. Zion continues to amaze me. The restroom issues? The restrooms are totally remodelled and yes, while there are restrooms outsidetside" in the recess yard, where else would you expect them to be? Each floor has restrooms inside! Nit picking when one has nothing else to do would be better spent studying or doing an activity that will expand ones mind and benefit humanity. There are 11 children in my child's class this year. I have seen some amazing ongoing changes at Zion, and I like the fact that this school is college oriented! I like that my child is challenged on a daily basis and is treated with respect. My child's goal is to attend Harvard University and I know that she indeed will be successful from her years spent at Zion! I only wish that Zion had a high school! I would recommend (and have done so) Zion Lutheran to any parent searching for the perfectrfect" school for their child(ren). But beware: Your child will be challenged from the get go! No excuses for late work, forgotten homework...if you have a strong work ethic and a yearning for life long learning Zion Lutheran is the school for you! read more

This is a Great school to be in. Our daughter is 6th grade student. We all like this school. Small classes, friendly environment, Great PE classes. School has many activities, field trips. Extended care help parents to work and not to be worry about their kids. To bad we didnot know about this school earlier. Admin staff are extremely friendly and helpfull. read more

Zion is a hidden gem in the Inner Richmond. My older daughter has attended Zion for two years now, and we'll be sending our younger daughter to Kindergarten there this fall. We could not be happier with the school, and recommend it to anyone looking for a school with a strong sense of community, solid academics and brilliant fine arts offerings. Principal Laughlin has a terrific vision for the school and has a team of fantastic teachers on board. Two aspects of the school merit particular mention. The first is the fine arts program, which is phenomenal for a school of this size. They offer music lessons, choir, bell choir and a spring musical that would put many high school musicals (my own included) to shame. Also, they have started a focused 'Green' initiative over the past few years, and students not only reduce, reuse, and recycle, they compost, they keep pet worms, they have e-waste drives, they go on 'garbology' field trips, and the list goes on and on! This school is setting a very high standard in sustainability, I wish others would join in. Like many schools these days, Zion has a 'wish list' of facility and infrastructure improvements they'd like to make (newer computers, some remodeling), but these are more than outweighed by a great staff, friendly parents and enthusiastic students. Go Zion Lions! read more

I have two children at this school, and I couldn't rate it more highly! Zion has gone through a lot of changes over the last 5 years. We have a new principal, and many new teachers; many of the prior teachers had been teaching at the school for ages, and retired. Unfortunately, Yelp is only showing a very few reviews - and most don't reflect the current staffing at the school. To see more recent reviews, you'll need to read the filtered reviews. (Scroll down to the bottom of the active list, and select 'filtered'.) For some reason, Yelp penalizes busy parents/busy professionals by filtering our reviews, because we don't write very many! Looking at their filtering policy, you have to be an active yelp writer to get your reviews posted. Hmmm.... maybe I should write a review of Yelp! read more

I am writing this today following a recent Parent Teacher meeting. I feel that this school is not getting a "balanced" review based on some of the past year's postings. Parents who are looking at this school for their children, today (2013) should feel encouraged to thoughtfully consider Zion. We moved to San Francisco from Chicago in the summer of 2012. From the beginning, we have had wonderful interactions with Mrs. Laughlin and her staff of dedicated and professional teachers. The staff has made our daughter feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged her to do her very best every day. Our third grader is academically challenged on a daily basis. She is excelling in math-performing at the fourth grade level. She is reading above her grade as well. The small-sized classroom allow for much greater one-to-one academic interaction with her teachers. This is especially important if your student is not excelling academically. The teachers really care and want every one of their students to succeed. It was wonderful to start the new academic year with enthusiasm and joy. Our daughter wanted to return, to see her little friends, and to learn, grow, and stretch herself. Our "sneak peek" with the teacher just before school invited us to learn about the year's curriculum, expectations of students, and how the teacher would blend fun into learning. Parents are encouraged to be part of their students academic lives. We believe that children need a balance - they need to be pushed to do their best, they need to be stretched to see what they can accomplish, and they need to have fun. In addition to a strong academic program, Zion offers students learning outside the classroom (which is just as important). There are really interesting field trips scheduled that actually enhance the learning objectives. Our daughter not only has fun on her field trips but learns something each time...and can relate it to the lesson plans. If you are a parent who wants their child to attend a school where h/she is safe, warm (socially), encouraged (mentally), challenged (academically) and is truly the center and reason for being there, then you should consider Zion. read more

As a parent of a former student at Zion I can say that the school has gone downhill since Ms. Grundt left. Ms. Grundt was the former principal who knew each child's background, grades, and demeanor. She really interacted with the parents and kids making Zion both a learning institution as well as a place for child development. Unfortunately Mrs. Laughlin doesn't have what it takes to control Zion. She tries but fails as a principal. The school size is diminishing and will probably close in the not too distant future. read more

Love this church! I am so happy to be a part of the Zion community, which I've found to be loving and welcoming. It feels like there's something for all ages here - a year-round Sunday School program for the children, great youth groups, various fun and inspiring adult Bible classes, and the list goes on! It offers both a traditional as well as a contemporary church service (with beautiful music!). Most importantly, this church is centered around CHRIST, and God's love is felt as we worship Him in it! read more

Having been a member of Zion for 40 years and watching the school children come and go, I believe I can state with some knowledge that the school is an excellent one. This school has received accreditation from both the Lutheran School system and the public association of WASC. The school has offered many hundreds of students an excellent education and many of these students have gone on to such schools as Riordan (one as his class Valedictorian), Lowell, & St. Ignatious. Three of Zions students have come back as teachers since completing their college educations and receiving their Teaching Certificates. read more

My son has transferred few schools prior came to the Zion. He is very happy and does not want to come back his home. He has talked about a lots of school activities, something he's learned, and his new friends. He has never talked about positive about prior schools he had gone to. He has become a happy and his academic attitude has changed too. We are very happy that finally found the school. read more

Zion is a very good school. The class is small and good muscial program. The teachers are the best in SF. They have passion with their job and the children. They not only teach, but help the children to grow. They are willing to work extra to help the children to catch up with academic. They will not give up your children. They have patient to work with the children and help them to become more mature. .....Come to see Zion before you make a judgement on this school. read more