The San Francisco Private School Guide

San Francisco offers an unusually dense range of private schools — Catholic parish schools and Jesuit college preps, French, Mandarin, German and Armenian bilingual programs, Montessori and Waldorf campuses, single-sex schools with more than a century of history, and independent schools built around specific learning needs. Here’s the full 2026 list, alphabetically, to help you start your shortlist.

Updated August 2026.

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Archbishop Riordan High School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 11:1

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 30 Advanced Placement and Honors courses and gives students the opportunity to take university-level courses at City College of San Francisco, which is right next door.

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The Bay School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Founded in 2004 and located in the Presidio, The Bay School is an independent, co-educational high school organized around principles of mindfulness, equity and community. Its academic year is divided into four terms — two standard semesters plus two three-week Immersives, when students spend full days on a single subject. Running through all four years is what the school calls the Project Arc, a sequence that begins with a ninth-grade course in creative process and culminates in a senior capstone project, alongside required coursework in civics, media literacy and ethnic studies. Roughly 400 students attend, arriving from more than 100 Bay Area middle schools.

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Cathedral School for Boys

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Boys  |  Affiliation: Independent/Episcopal  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

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 its duty is 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.

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Children’s Day School

Grades: Preschool–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: Pre K 8:1; K 12:1; School wide 8:1

At Children’s Day School, students learn how to investigate with curiosity, navigate conflict with compassion, use data strategically and communicate with purpose. These key skills are part of the school’s competency curriculum, which helps students become curious, confident and resilient young people who are connected to their community and committed to doing what’s right.

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Chinese American International School

Grades: Pre K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Mandarin/English  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: Pre K 9:1; K 8:1; 1-8 10:1

Its newer campus unites all of its grade levels, from preschool through 8th grade. As far as academics, the school connects the dots between its core values of embracing Chinese, becoming your best selves and contributing to a better world. Students are immersed in the Chinese culture and language, even having access to global trips to different countries like Taiwan and China.

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Convent & Stuart Hall

Grades: K–12, Single-sex and COED  |  Affiliation: Independent/Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: K-12 6:1

Convent & Stuart Hall are private, independent, Catholic schools that are partnered with one another. Convent is an all girls school, and Stuart Hall an all boys school, giving students a unique single-sex education in a coeducational environment. The school runs K through 12 and is rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition of Catholic education. There are six main goals of a sacred heart tradition: personal faith, love of learning, serving others, building community and developing wise freedom.

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Cornerstone Academy

Grades: Preschool–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Christian/Independent/Cantonese/Mandarin/English  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1

Cornerstone Academy is an independent private Christian school serving children from preschool through 8th grade in San Francisco. The school provides a safe and caring environment for students to develop intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. It emphasizes the different subjects of math, reading, writing, oral communication and cognitive skills in addition to science, history, social studies, music, art and P.E.

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De Marillac Academy

Grades: 4–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic/Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1

De Marillac Academy is a 4–8 grade Catholic school located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. Catered to students of low-income backgrounds, this all-scholarship school provides all kinds of support to its students and families that includes educational, personal and financial. It believes that another world is possible as long as its students and graduates are the fundamental force to build it.

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Drew School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 9:1

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, and it knows teenagers have ideas about what high school should be like. Students at Drew learn by doing, collaborating and searching, and they 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.

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École Notre Dame des Victoires

Grades: TK–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 14:1

École 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.

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German International School of Silicon Valley

Grades: Preschool–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Bilingual/Non-Secular  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

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. GISSV’s small class sizes allow students to get personalized attention from their teachers, allowing them to build a strong sense of community among families, parents and faculty.

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The Hamlin School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Girls  |  Affiliation: Non-sectarian  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

The Hamlin School is an independent, all-girls K–8 school serving students from all over the Bay Area. It is 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.

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Hiba Academy Bay Area

Grades: PK3–PK5  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Mandarin/English, Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Hiba Academy offers a dual language program in Mandarin and English. It uses a research-based tool called the Leuven Scale to systematically assess each child’s well-being and engagement in real time, and ensure that each child has a personalized learning experience in a welcoming environment.

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Hillwood Academic Day School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Nondenominational  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 5:1

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 tested academics. The school offers a dynamic curriculum that includes art, music, math, English/language arts, science and history/social sciences.

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Holy Name School

Grades: Pre K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 30:1

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 surrounding areas, like 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.

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ICA Cristo Rey Academy

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Girls  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 16:1

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.

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The International School of San Francisco

Grades: PK2–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Bilingual/French  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 10:1

The International School is a Pre K–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, and the high school continues these courses with an added element of exploration and independence. Classes are taught with a global perspective, as students begin to discover their individualities, pursue their passions and think from an international perspective. In fact, it’s more than just a school; it’s a community where children and families will be a part for the coming years.

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Jewish Community High School of the Bay

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 5:1

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.

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Katherine Delmar Burke School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Girls  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1

Often referred to as Burke’s, Katherine Delmar Burke School is an independent all girls 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 and reach their true potential.

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Kittredge School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Kittredge School is a fully accredited, independent, co-educational private school for children from K–8. The school offers small classes to accommodate its students’ needs in a multitude of ways. It nutures the academic skills of students, make kids feel like they have a sense of family there and provide support both inside and outside of the classroom.

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Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School

Grades: Pre K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Bilingual/Armenian  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 11:1

The Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School offers a Pre K–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.

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Lick-Wilmerding High School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Nondenominational  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 8:1

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.

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Live Oak School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: All Gender  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Live Oak School is an all-gender, 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, changemakers lab and green team.

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Lycée Français de San Francisco

Grades: Pre K–5, 6–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: French  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: Pre K–K 7:1; G: 1–5 9:1, G: 6–12 10:1

At the Lycée, students from 50+ nations learn alongside each other from age 2 through Grade 12, across three campuses in San Francisco and Marin. There are two offered tracks: French immersion starting in Preschool, or the IB-powered International Track for Middle and High School — no prior French required. Lycée graduates earn dual diplomas and go on to top universities across the US, Europe and beyond.

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Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate

Grades: Pre K–K  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Montessori  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 26:1

Founded in 1972, The Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate offers Pre K, TK and Kindergarten programs based on Dr. Maria’s philosophy to further the physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of each student.

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Millennium School San Francisco

Grades: 6–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 5:1

Millennium is an innovative middle school that explores the intersection of developmental science and adolescent education. It’s a rare institution that focuses exclusively on middle school students and the unique talents and needs they possess. The school partners with professors from leading universities to combine integrated academics with self-discovery and real-world application through student-centered projects.

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Mission Dolores Academy

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic/Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1

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.

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Our Lady of the Visitacion School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 22:1

Our Lady of the Visitacion School is a K–8 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.

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Presidio Hill School

Grades: TK–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Progressive  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 9:1

Founded in 1918, Presidio Hill School is a proudly progressive TK–8 school. The school’s teaching philosophy is to know its students well and build on their interests, abilities and lead each child to expand their knowledge, responsibility, understanding, social competence and skill development.

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Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1

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.

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St. Anne School

Grades: Preschool–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1

St. Anne School is a Pre K–8 Catholic school that welcomes students of all faiths. It’s 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.

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St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 19:1

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.

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St. Brendan Parish School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 22:1

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.

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St. Brigid Academy

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Saint Brigid Academy, established in 1888 and located on the corner of Franklin and Broadway Street, is a K–8 program. The administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students collaborate to maintain the legacy of excellent education.

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Saint Cecilia School

Grades: TK–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 16:1

Founded in 1930, St. Cecilia School is a TK–8 Catholic school. Following its 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.

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St. Ignatius College Preparatory School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic/Jesuit  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1

St. Ignatius College Preparatory is a private Jesuit high school in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. Grades 9–12 are supported through an integrated program of academic, spiritual and co-curricular activities. At St. Ignatius, the faculty are committed to creating a community of lifelong learners and courageous leaders.

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Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School

Grades: Pre K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 18:1

Saints 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 aim to promote social justice, compassion, inclusion and tolerance.

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San Francisco Adventist School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Christian  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 8:1

Established in 1912, San Francisco Adventist School has provided Christian education to the Bay Area for over 100 years. Operating by the Seventh Day Adventist Church provides 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.

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San Francisco Day School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1

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 curricula that spark curiosity and investment in students’ learning.

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San Francisco Friends School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent/Quaker  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1

A K-8 Quaker school open to all, San Francisco Friends School prepares visionary, compassionate students who think deeply, lead with heart and build a better world.

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San Francisco Montessori Academy

Grades: Pre K/Preschool  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Montessori  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1

San Francisco Montessori Academy is dedicated to helping parents build each child’s strong foundation for lifelong excellence in its Pre K/preschool programs. Music, visual arts, dance, fitness and yoga provide a balance of physical and social development.

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The San Francisco School

Grades: Preschool–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1

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 have created an inclusive and unique learning environment.

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San Francisco University High School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Nondenominational  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1

San Francisco University High School encourages students to engage in an education that fosters responsibility and the spirited pursuit of knowledge. Offering tons of courses and electives, the school and faculty challenge each individual to learn and live a life guided by the core values of inquiry, care, integrity, agency and interconnection.

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San Francisco Waldorf Grade School

Grades: Pre K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Waldorf  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 5:1

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.

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San Francisco Waldorf High School

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Waldorf  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 9:1

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.

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School of the Epiphany

Grades: TK–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Catholic  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 18:1

The School of the Epiphany is a TK–8 Catholic School that has served students from all backgrounds since 1938. The school motto is Non Vox, Sed Votum (Not Words, But Deeds) which inspires its 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.

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Sterne School

Grades: 4–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6–12:1 (lower/middle), 10–15:1 (hs)

The Sterne School is an independent, co-educational school serving grade 4–12 students from all corners of the Bay Area. Though its 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.

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Town School for Boys

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Boys  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1

Town School is a K–8, 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.

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Urban School of San Francisco

Grades: 9–12  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Independent  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Urban School’s diverse student community welcomes teenagers from San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. It seeks to ignite a passion for academic, artistic and athletic learning by inspiring students to be enthusiastic, self-motivated participants in their education from grades 9–12.

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West Portal Lutheran School

Grades: K–8  |  Gender: Coed  |  Affiliation: Christian  |  Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1

West Portal Lutheran School has provided the city of San Francisco with Christian education for grades K–8 for over 70 years. The school’s mission is to challenge its students academically in a nurturing Christ-centered atmosphere that focuses on grace, respect, integrity and love.

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