2019 Best Private Schools in San FranciscoAbout this List

San Francisco University High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 49

Alum: UHS has extraordinary academics, driven students, and top-notch faculty. Having graduated over a decade ago, I can't speak to the current culture, but I do know that the new head of school has made a very positive impact (reducing student stress, balancing workloads, promoting intrinsic motivation in students, etc.).

I wouldn't put too much stock in the ranking system on the site, since it seems to underplay the school's excellence a bit. I'd guess most students at UHS would be in the top 5-10% of their class at most other schools. In terms of the workload, pace, and rigor, college wasn't as hard as UHS. As another commenter mentioned, it can be difficult to establish yourself at a school where everyone else is extremely intellectually driven. If the school continues to improve the stress culture, I would send my kids there.
Read 49 Reviews

• A+

• 410 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lick-Wilmerding High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 87

Senior: I've attended Lick Wilmerding for 4 years now and It's amazing! There are so many available resources and opportunities for educational purposes some of which I'll miss in college. In terms of college readiness, you are very well prepared academically but there are only 3 college counselors for a class of 125ish to you essentially have to do it yourself if you're a first gen college student. The social life is exciting but there is light (depending on you personality) divide between the rich kids and kids on flex tuition.
Read 87 Reviews

• A+

• 490 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Urban School of San Francisco

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 48

Senior: The Urban School is the most wonderful, constructive, supportive environment I've ever found. The community is open-minded and the students work hard, diving into academics as well as clubs, sports, and art. There are so many opportunities for growth. I love it here, I'm so grateful for my time at Urban!
Read 48 Reviews

• A+

• 420 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Convent & Stuart Hall

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-12
• 65

Parent: My sons attend Stuart Hall and it's been wonderful. If you want your children to avoid the pressure-cooker situation of other independent high schools in the city and to feel supported and loved by schoolmates and teachers alike, this is the place!
Read 65 Reviews

• A+

• 1,100 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

French American International School and International High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-12
• 85

Senior: International High School (IHS) is a wonderful school that prepares students for university through the rigorous International Baccalaureate/French Baccalaureate curriculum. The teachers and faculty are very supportive and always try to help the students in any way they can. Although some of the facilities are not state of the art, the school makes it up with their challenging yet rewarding curriculum. Additionally, the college counselors at the school really help students find the right schools that fit for them and they are also very helpful throughout the college application process in general. In addition to that, International High School has an amazing global travel program where students can choose to go to places such as Burma, China/Tibet, Galapagos, etc. International High School of San Francisco is the perfect school for any student who is wants to push themselves academically, has a passion for theatre or sports, and have a strong desire to travel.
Read 85 Reviews

• A+

• 1,092 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Ignatius College Preparatory School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 308

Alum: As a graduate from 1961, I can thank the Jesuits for their rigorous adhereance to the basics, Especially in math, physics and chemistry.
I expect I only absorbed half (or less) of what of they attempted to teach but it was enough to help me earn degrees in mechanical engineering technology, business management and an MBA.
I have worked for IBM, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Kaiser Aluminum and
Simpson Strong-Tie.
My passion has been physics, engineering and the mechanical arts. Along the way I have been awarded 45+ US and foreign patents.
At 74 I still work every day, still innovate new products and especially enjoy all the people I get to work with.
Thank Yoy St. Ignatius College Prep!
I
Read 308 Reviews

• A+

• 1,476 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Bay School of San Francisco

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 71

Freshman: Thoughtful leadership that supports the individual. Student body is active, energized and talented. Teacher response time to questions is excellent. Flex periods lessen burden of homework allowing participation in activities outside of school
Read 71 Reviews

• A+

• 374 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Drew School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 59

Parent: Our daughter graduated from Drew six months ago and her college transition confirms that Drew was an excellent choice. Drew nailed an important (but often overlooked) “college prep” function: social/emotional development. The school’s supportive environment allowed our daughter to build deep friendships, experience her first relationship, and really understand how to relate to people. These social skills were important for navigating adult life on a college campus, three thousand miles away from home. With the perspective of time (and another high school), I’d highly recommend giving Drew a good look – it is a unique gem!
Read 59 Reviews

• A+

• 280 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jewish Community High School of the Bay

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 17

Senior: I really enjoy the community and support at JCHS. All of the teachers are always there for you even if they do not teach you specifically in their class. The lunch program is very good; however expensive, there is always a salad bar and bread to make a sandwich. There is something for everyone and no one at school would go hungry. The environment is very friendly and welcoming right when you walk in. the only negative thing for some people would be the size; it is a very small school.
Read 17 Reviews

• A+

• 176 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Francisco Waldorf High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 21

Freshman: I love how everyone is super friendly and welcoming at Waldorf. It's easy to make friends and no one is really lonely. The teachers are very approachable and really care about the students. I have fun playing on the volleyball basketball and soccer teams.
Read 21 Reviews

• A+

• 160 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 142

Senior: There were numerous teachers that were new to the school, they did not seem like they were well trained by the current staff. Many teachers seemed to be pre occupied with their own personal problems during classroom sessions. With that said, many of the teachers were willing to help when students reached out. There were not enough girl bathrooms and the plumbing needs to be updated, there were many clog/flooded toilets. I thought the diversity of the school was good. I think changing the dress code mid year was unnecessary, since everyone already bought their required clothing before the school year started. I also bought many books that stated that it was required before the school year started, but did not use many of the expensive books and often left them at home, barely used. In addition, the next year students could not use them because the required books change yearly. The book buy back program did not come close to what the original amount paid.
Read 142 Reviews

• A+

• 1,325 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lycée Français de San Francisco - San Francisco Campuses

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-12
• 26

Parent: Our two children have been at the Lycee since nursery school (Ashbury campus) and are now in middle school and high school (Ortega campus). We selected the Lycee for the following reasons: it's the "French" French school, the teachers are top notch, the curriculum is rigorous, the college acceptance list is impressive, it's affordable as compared to other private schools, the class trips are amazing (e.g., Morocco, Mexico City...), there are a huge variety of programs (e.g., technovation for girls), the campuses are homey and safe, classroom sizes are small, the administration is efficient and caring, and the community is open and vibrant. Our children are perfectly bilingual (and becoming trilingual), have close friends, and are on the path to being multicultural global citizens.
Read 26 Reviews

• A+

• 773 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Archbishop Riordan High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 103

Works Here: Riordan truly serves the needs of young men. The school graduates students who are intelligent (attend great colleges and have great careers), thoughtful (open doors for visitors!) and care about the world around them (engage in a life service). Faculty, administration, and coaches know how to teach and mentor boys. The school truly lives its mission to educate in the family spirit, which includes engaging and caring for students, families, alumni, and the greater community.

...and, the food in the cafeteria is so good!
Read 103 Reviews

• A-

• 680 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Francisco Christian School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-12
• 14

Parent: Great staff!
My children attended SFCS for 11 consecutive years. I really appreciate their dedication to each student individually. Definitely a Great school!
Read 14 Reviews

• A-

• 240 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mercy High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 133

Senior: This school is just fantastic, and gives you an overall great experience! I love the atmosphere and the kids that go here are very welcoming. You won;t regret going to mercy, it really sets you up for college!
Read 133 Reviews

• A-

• 395 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Immaculate Conception Academy

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 252

Sophomore: Immaculate Conception Academy is like living in the jungle. Being in a jungle you don't know what to do at first. You grab resources you need to survive and try to come up with new ways to do things. Just like Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) I was lost as a freshmen, I got all my resources and tried to live out my first year as a rookie. As time goes on you get more comfortable, like in the jungle you get more comfortable with your surroundings. The community at ICA is fantastic! Did I tell you we work once a week? ICA students work once a week in the real world. You can see us working in an office, a hospital, a dog shelter, and a classroom. ICA's faculty is so strong towards gaining more education and getting us students to where we should be. We are an all girl school with many background cultures. We all come together as one as students and lift each other up to becoming better individuals. One thing I would change is how strict ICA is on dress codes.
Read 252 Reviews

• B+

• 324 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodside International School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 5

• A+

• 60 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cornerstone Academy

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-5
• 9

High School Senior: I felt that the school sheltered me from the outside world. Most of the students at school were of the same ethnicity, so I never really learned about other people's difference in cultures.
Read 9 Reviews

• NG

• 698 Students
• 35:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Cecilia School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8

• NG

• 593 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

West Portal Lutheran School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8

• NG

• 517 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chinese American International

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-8

• NG

• 516 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Gabriel Elementary School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8
• 4

High School Junior: It prepared me for life and I made the best connections ever.
Read 4 Reviews

• NG

• 467 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Children's Day School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-8

• NG

• 441 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Francisco Friends School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8
• 5

Niche User: Great learning environment suitable for most children. Facilities and staff are great and so is their program of sports and activities
Read 5 Reviews

• NG

• 436 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hamlin School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8
• 1

Middle School Student: Can be very cliquey at times, beginning in around 5th grade. Great academic program, but can be very stressful. Amazing preparation for high school, I myself being an 8th grader. Okay arts program... There's a musical at the end of the year for 8th graders which is fun.
Read 1 Review

• NG

• 410 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio