We’ve got everything you need to know about where to send your kids to private school in San Francisco.
Bilingual | Catholic | Christian | Chinese | French | Independent | Jewish | Montessori | Nondenominational | Non-sectarian | Progressive | Waldorf
Bilingual
German International School of Silicon Valley
Eureka Valley
The German International School of Silicon Valley has its Preschool through 8th grade school located in the heart of the Castro. The school’s campus is surrounded by some of the city’s most gorgeous parks like Mission Dolores Park, Corona Heights Park, and Kite Hill. Students will have plenty of opportunities to explore these parks and take in their natural beauty. GISSV features small class sizes to allow students to get personalized attention from their teachers, allowing them to build a strong sense of community among families, parents, and faculty.
117 Diamond St, San Francisco, 650.254.0748
Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian
Parkmerced
The Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School offers a PreK – 8 bilingual and bicultural private education. Small classes and dedicated teachers ensure students have a range of opportunities in academics, visual and performing arts, leadership, ethics, outdoor education, and public speaking.
825 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, 415.586.8686
Terra San Francisco
Terra San Francisco is a Pre K–8th grade school located in the Richmond District of SF offering Mandarin, Spanish, and English language acquisition alongside tailored, collegiate-level academics and outdoor education. Passionate teachers use their expertise to help children excel through traditional academic learning, and the curriculum is bolstered by time spent in nature, language-learning, and holistic support from dedicated Social Emotional Learning staff and curriculum.
Much of the academic work is based on student-led discussions and interactive projects, which have been inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Preschool applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis for spring of 2024, and applications for fall of 2024 are now being accepted for Pre-K – 8th grade.
Richmond District: 3801 Balboa Street, San Francisco CA 94121; (415) 906-2220
Catholic
Archbishop Riordan High School
Ingleside
Archbishop Riordan High School is the only co-educational boarding school in San Francisco. Riordan’s beautiful campus is located in the Ingleside neighborhood of SF. Students live, learn, eat, sleep and play on campus during the week. On the weekends, students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities including trips to SF landmarks, professional sports games, movie theaters and more. Riordan offers a rigorous academic curriculum that includes 15 Advanced Placement courses and gives students the opportunity to take university-level courses at City College of San Francisco which is right next door.
175 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, 415.586.8200
De Marillac Academy
Tenderloin
De Marillac Academy is a 4th through 8th grade Catholic school located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. The Academy provides all kinds of support to their students and families that includes educational, personal, and financial. They believe that another world is possible as long as their students and graduates are the fundamental force to build it.
175 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, 415.552.5220
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires
Financial District
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires is a TK-8, co-educational Catholic school located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The school is rooted in the Marist Charism, French tradition and is guided by the example of Mary. The mission of the school is to nurture children in many different aspects including: spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically. The goal of this is to support a group of diverse learners to help build an inclusive and compassionate world.
566 Bush St, San Francisco, 415.421.0069
Holy Name School
Outer Sunset
Holy Name School is a K-8 Catholic school located in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of SF. With a student body of around 370 students, kids come from all over San Francisco and San Mateo County. Holy Name School expects students to achieve their highest level of scholarship while understanding values that help them to be compassionate, contributing and responsible members of society. Teachers actively support this mission through recognition of the unique needs and self-worth of all students.
1560 40th Ave, San Francisco, 415.731.4077
ICA Cristo Rey Academy
Noe Valley
ICA Cristo Rey Academy is a private, all girls Dominican Catholic college preparatory school in Noe Valley. The school provides students with an excellent academic curriculum as well as support from the spiritual community that prepares them for a life full of faith, purpose, and service. The academy strives to empower girls to become confident young women who grow to learn their full potential.
3625 24th Street, San Francisco, 415.824.2052
Mission Dolores Academy
Mission Dolores
Located in the Mission District, Mission Dolores Academy is an independent Catholic K-8 school with a curriculum that prepares students for success while building a moral foundation. Faculty and students work together to promote an educational environment that instills in every student a love of learning, a connection to God, and a desire to be a changemaker in the world.
3371 16th St, San Francisco, 415.346.9500
Our Lady of the Visitacion School
Visitacion Valley
Our Lady of the Visitacion School is a K – 6 Catholic school with a fourfold purpose; proclaim the Gospel and teachings of Christ, help build community, bear witness to God’s teachings, and be in service to the community. In partnership with parents, who are the primary educators of their children, the faculty challenges each student to grow into a well-rounded individual gifted with life and talents destined to form God’s kingdom on earth.
785 Sunnydale Ave, San Francisco, 415.239.7840
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Cathedral Hill
At Sacred Heart Cathedral, students are offered a diverse array of co-curricular opportunities. Founded in 1852, the faculty carries out the school’s standing commitment to serve San Francisco’s diverse youth and provide an academically rigorous catholic education.
1055 Ellis St, San Francisco, 415.775.6626
Saint Cecilia School
West Portal
Founded in 1930, St. Cecilia School is a TK-8 Catholic school. Following their mission of faith, family, and futures, students are encouraged to be kind, respectful, and service-minded while exploring opportunities in science, arts, drama, music, and sports.
660 Vicente St, San Francisco, 415.731.8400
Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School
North Beach
Saint Peter and Paul School follows the educational method of Saint John Bosco providing students with a strong spiritual foundation based on religion, reason, and kindness. Offering a well-rounded academic experience to Pre-K through Junior High students classes aims to promote social justice compassion, inclusion, and tolerance.
660 Filbert St, San Francisco, 415.421.5219
School of the Epiphany
Excelsior
The School of the Epiphany is a TK-8 Catholic School that has served students from all backgrounds since 1938. Their school motto is Non Vox Sed Votum (Not Words, But Deeds) which inspires their school community to speak and live the words of the Gospel. At the School of Epiphany, students achieve academic success, build community, and demonstrate Christian character.
600 Italy Ave, 415.337.4030
St. Anne School
Inner Sunset
St. Anne School is a K-8 Catholic School that welcomes students of all faiths. They are committed to carrying out the ministry of Jesus Christ in the education provided and developing individuals who foster spiritual, intellectual, physical, and psychological growth in a caring Catholic environment.
1320 14th Ave, San Francisco, 415.664.7977
St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception
Bernal Heights
The St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School was founded in 1894 by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose to educate immigrant children on what is now the border of the Mission District and Bernal Heights Neighborhood. Today the mission is to empower students from diverse backgrounds to grow as whole persons in the image of Jesus Christ through a rich academic program, a dynamic community of believers, and a commitment to service and worship.
299 Precita Ave, San Francisco, 415.648.2008
St. Brendan Parish School
Forest Hill
St. Brendan Parish School is a Catholic Parish Elementary school accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association and the Western Association of Schools and serving students K -8. At St. Brendan, the staff is dedicated to providing a high-quality Catholic education by combining deep-rooted traditions and current practices.
940 Laguna Honda Blvd, San Francisco, 415.731.2665
St. Brigid School
Polk Gulch
Saint Brigid School, established in 1888 and located on the corner of Franklin and Broadway Street, is a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 8th-grade program. The Sisters of Immaculate Conception, administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students collaborate to maintain the legacy of excellent education.
2250 Franklin St, San Francisco, 415.673.4523
Chinese
Chinese American International School
Hayes Valley
The Chinese American International School has a distinctive blueprint for being able to survive the Covid-19 pandemic. The school attempts to connect the dots between their core values which are: inclusion, kindness, preservation, courage, and curiosity. CAIS consists of an early childhood school(ages 2 – 5), a lower school(2nd-5th grade) and a middle school(6th-8th grade). Students are immersed in the Chinese culture and language, even having access to global trips to different countries like Taiwan and China.
Early Childhood (Preschool 2, 3, & 4) – Alice A. Carnes Center 42/52 Waller Street, San Francisco, 415.655.9362
Early Childhood (K-1) and Lower School (2-5) – 150 Oak Street, San Francisco, 415.865.6000
Middle School (6-8) – 888 Turk Street San Francisco, 415.349.7201
Christian
Cornerstone Academy
University Mound & Outer Sunset
Cornerstone Academy is one of the largest private schools in San Francisco, with there being three different campuses for each of the different grade classes. The school aims to provide a safe and caring environment for students to develop intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. They emphasize the different subjects of math, reading, writing, oral communication and cognitive skills in addition to the topics of science, history, social studies, music, art and P.E.
Silver Campus (Preschool – 3rd): 801 Silver Avenue, San Francisco, 415.587.7256
Cambridge Campus (4th – 8th): 501 Cambridge Street, San Francisco, 415.585.5183
Lawton Campus (Preschool): 1925 Lawton Street, San Francisco, 415.665.9747
San Francisco Adventist School
Oceanview
Established in 1912, San Francisco Adventist School has provided Christian education to the Bay Area for 109 years. Operating by the seventh-day adventist church to provide a spiritually oriented education for children where a belief in the existence of God is fundamental, faculty follow the belief that true education develops spiritual, mental, and physical powers.
66 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, 415.585.5550
West Portal Lutheran School
Sunset District
West Portal Lutheran School has provided the city of San Francisco with Christian education for grades K-8 for over 70 years. Their mission is to challenge their students academically in a nurturing christ-centered atmosphere that focuses on grace, respect, integrity, and love.
200 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco, 415.661.0242
French
French American International School
Civic & Arts District
The French American International School is a PK-12 independent school that has two different campuses in San Francisco. The lower school is a bilingual French-American program for students looking to master both languages. Classes are taught with a global perspective, as students begin to discover their individualities, pursue their passions and think from an international perspective. It’s more than just a school, it’s a community where children and families will be a part of for the coming years.
Main Building – 150 Oak Street, San Francisco, 415.558.2000
Maternelle – 1155 Page Street, San Francisco, 415.231.5733
Lycée Français de San Francisco
Cole Valley & Golden Gate Heights
The Lycée Français de San Francisco is an independent international school offering a multilingual and multicultural education for Prek – High School. With the largest French American program in North America, staff and students work together to empower each individual child to become adaptable global thinkers that inspire positive and impactful contributions.
755 Ashbury St, San Francisco, 415.661.5232
1201 Ortega St, San Francisco, 415.661.5232
Independent
Cathedral School for Boys
Nob Hill
Cathedral School for Boys is a K-8 all boys private Episcopal school in Nob Hill. Students come from all around the Bay Area to attend the prestigious school. The school believes it’s their duty to educate and raise boys into great men. Faculty and staff devote everyday to bringing a spirited dialogue, dynamic lessons, and intentional character building in order to guide every boy to engage academically in ways that best fit them.
1275 Sacramento St, San Francisco, 415.771.6600
Children’s Day School
Mission District
Children’s Day School is a K-8 private school located in the Mission District of San Francisco. There they believe that what you learn and who you become are equally important factors in raising children. Despite being in a big city, CDS is a very welcoming community for all children. CDS advocates for responsibility to others in addition to individual achievement, down-to-earth values and always asking ourselves how we can do better.
601 Dolores St, San Francisco, 415.861.5432
Convent & Stuart Hall
Pacific Heights
Convent & Stuart Hall are both private, independent, Catholic high schools that are partnered with one another. Convent being an all girls school, and Stuart Hall being an all girls school. The school runs K through 12 and is rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition of Catholic education. There are 6 main goals of a sacred heart tradition: personal faith, love of learning, serving others, building community and developing wise freedom.
2222 Broadway, San Francisco, 415.563.2900
Drew School
Pacific Heights
Founded by John Sheehan Drew in 1908, Drew School has served as an independent, co-educational college preparatory in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Drew School knows and believes in teenagers, that they know teenagers have ideas about what High School should be like. Students at Drew learn by doing, collaborating and searching and graduate with an understanding that success is measured by the confidence to amplify one’s voice and their ability to make their mark on the world.
2901 California St, San Francisco, 415. 409.3739
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Sea Cliff
Often referred to as Burke’s, Katherine Delmar Burke School is an independent all girl’s K-8 school located in Sea Cliff. Burke’s mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls to achieve academic excellence. The school takes pride in combining academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood to allow students to succeed as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to their community as well as reach their true potential.
7070 California St, San Francisco, 415.751.0177
Kittredge School
Richmond District
Kittredge School is a fully accredited, independent, co-educational private school for children from kindergarten to eighth grade. The school offers small classes to accommodate their students’ needs in a multitude of ways. Ways such as nurturing the academic skills of students, making kids feel like they have a sense of family there, as well as faculty providing support both inside and outside of the classroom.
2355 Lake St, San Francisco, 415.750.8390
Live Oak School
Potrero Hill
Live Oak School is a co-ed independent, K – 8 day school with the mission to empower changemakers: young individuals with the skills, values, agency, and purpose to change their world for the better. Students expand their skill set and knowledge with the school garden, extensive library, change makers lab, and green team.
1555 Mariposa St, San Francisco, 415.861.8840
Millennium School San Francisco
Mission District
Millennium is an innovative middle school that explores the intersection of Developmental Science and Adolescent education. The school partners with professors from leading universities to combine integrated academics with self-discovery and real-world application through student-centered projects.
245 Valencia St, San Francisco, 415.992.8520
San Francisco Day School
NoPa
San Francisco Day School seeks to cultivate a diverse, supportive community that encourages students to expand their perspectives and develop as compassionate and creative problem-solvers. The educational program values the “best practices” approach emphasizing creative curriculums that spark curiosity and investment in the students’ learning.
350 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, 415.931.2422
San Francisco Friends School
Mission Dolores
For over 20 years, San Francisco Friends School has offered an academically rigorous program rooted in a progressive approach that is purposeful, intellectually engaging, and affirms the spirit of each student. Continuing the 325-year-old tradition of friends’ education, the curriculum emphasizes education for action – excellence in academics and character.
250 Valencia St, San Francisco, 415.565.0400
Sterne School
Chinatown
The Sterne School is an independent, co-education school serving grades 4 – 12 from all corners of the Bay Area. Though their lower and high schools are distinct, the programs complement each other and are led by experienced teachers dedicated to helping each student succeed. With small classes and wrap-around support, Sterne creates a personalized learning environment that emphasizes students’ strengths.
838 Kearny Street, 415.922.6081
The San Francisco School
Portola
Since 1966, The San Francisco School has cultivated and celebrated the intellectual, imaginative, and humanitarian promises of each of its students. It is one of the oldest independent co-ed schools in the city. The dedicated staff and education based on interdisciplinary, hands-on education has created an inclusive and unique learning environment.
300 Gaven St, San Francisco, 415.239.5065
Town School for Boys
Pacific Heights
Town School is an all-boys school designed to educate students while providing opportunities to discover new facets of their identities, develop relationships, and approach learning with joy, respect, integrity, and curiosity.
2750 Jackson Street, 415.746.1151
Urban School of San Francisco
Haight-Ashbury
Urban School’s diverse student community welcomes teenagers from San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. They seek to ignite a passion for academic, artistic, and athletic learning by inspiring students to be enthusiastic, self-motivated participants in their education.
1563 Page St, San Francisco
Woodside International School
India Basin
Woodside International School has been educating San Francisco families from a broad range of countries and socioeconomic backgrounds for over 40 years. Their mission is to provide exceptional education, offering all 38 Advanced Placement courses, that inspire students to fulfill their potential and embrace their future with courage, compassion, intention, and inquiry.
2505 Clement St, San Francisco, 415.564.1063
Jewish
Jewish Community High School of the Bay
Western Addition
Situated in the Western Addition neighborhood of SF, the Jewish Community High School of the Bay is co-educational, pluralistic Jewish high school. JCHS empowers students to embrace their unique Jewish identity, learn to express empathy, delight in a life-long learning journey and to improve the world. The school encourages students to be themselves, to keep an open mind and take the opportunity to get to know the local community.
1835 Ellis St, San Francisco, 415.345.9777
Montessori
Maria Montessori School
West Portal
Founded in 1972, The Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate offers programs based on Dr. Maria’s philosophy to nurther the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of each student.
62 Lenox Way, San Francisco, 415.731.8188
San Francisco Montessori Academy
Outer Sunset
San Francisco Montessori Academy is dedicated to helping parents build their child’s strong foundation for lifelong excellence. Music, visual arts, dance, fitness, and yoga provide a balance of physical and social development.
1566 32nd Ave, San Francisco, 415.759.5710
Nondenominational
Hillwood Academic Day School
Pacific Heights
Hillwood Academic Day School is a small, co-educational, K-8 independent school situated in the Pacific Heights. Hillwood focuses on the individual child to help them flourish academically and socially through small class sizes and through tested academics. The school offers a dynamic curriculum that includes art, music, math, English/Language Arts, Science, and history/social sciences.
2521 Scott St, San Francisco, 415.931.0400
Lick-Wilmerding High School
Balboa Park
Founded in 1895, Lick-Wilmerding High School runs on the philosophy of being a private school with a public purpose. Devoted staff inspire students to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion. The rigorous academic program emphasizes a sustainable love for learning and preparedness for college.
755 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, 415.333.4021
San Francisco University High School
Presidio Heights
San Francisco University High School encourages students to engage in an education that fosters responsibility and the spirited pursuit of knowledge. Offering 137 courses, 115 electives, and more, the faculty challenges each individual to learn and live a life guided by their core values of inquiry, care, integrity, agency, and interconnection.
3065 Jackson St, San Francisco, 415.447.3100
Non-sectarian
The Hamlin School
Cow Hollow
The Hamlin School is an independent, all-girls K-8 school serving students from all over the Bay Area. They are the oldest non-sectarian school for girls in the western United States and its mission is to educate girls to meet the challenges of their time and inspire them to be extraordinary thinkers, innovators, courageous leaders, and individuals of integrity.
2120 Broadway, San Francisco, 415.922.0300
Progressive
Presidio Hill School
Presidio Heights
Founded in 1918, Presidio Hill School is a proudly progressive TK – 8 school. Their teaching philosophy is to know their students well and build on their interests, abilities, and lead each child to expand their knowledge, responsibility, understanding, social competence, and skill development.
3839 Washington St, San Francisco, 415.751.9318
Waldorf
San Francisco Waldorf Grade School
West Portal
The San Francisco Waldorf School offers an education that is a collaboration of creativity and rigorousness based on human connection. Highly-trained staff teach to inspire a love of learning, goodness, and the real world. Working together, staff and students explore mathematics, science, humanities, art, and students’ place in the social and natural world.
470 W Portal Ave, 415.431.2736
San Francisco Waldorf High School
West Portal
The San Francisco Waldorf School offers an education that is a collaboration of creativity and rigorousness based on human connection. Highly-trained staff teach to inspire a love of learning, goodness, and the real world. Working together, staff and students explore mathematics, science, humanities, art, and students’ place in the social and natural world.
470 W Portal Ave, 415.431.2736
