2019 Best Public Schools in San FranciscoAbout this List

Lowell High School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 896

Alum: Lowell is definitely a high performing school that excels on multiple aspects. Lowell has been named a California Distinguised School and National Blue Ribbon school multiple times. Academics are definitely challenging with many teachers that are knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects they teach, and a large variety of AP and language courses are offered. Lowell sports dominate in San Francisco and we have won many city and state championships. Our arts department is vibrant and healthy with a stellar jounalism team. However, with this great acclaim, comes great rivalry and competitiveness between students. Many students measure their worth with their crazy high GPA's, numbers of AP's they took, and the colleges they've been accepted to. Lowell is a very well rounded school, but I would only recommend it to students who can deal with the high stress and pressure that comes along with attending here.
Read 896 Reviews

• A+

• 2,720 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 136

Alum: SOTA is definitely a great place for students who like to progress in their artistic careers and their academic ones simultaneously. The school has an organized schedule that balances the time spent on academic classes and the arts during each school day.
There is a good range of academic classes, the teachers prepare the students well in the subjects they teach, and they are all very friendly in helping the students to achieve the best that they can. Furthermore, the academic teachers are all very supportive regarding the students' artistic skills and their performances, and some are actually artists themselves.
SOTA encourages diversity and creativity, and the students and faculty are supportive. There are performances for each department and a few interdisciplinary events where the different departments collaborate
While the facilities are quite good, improvements in the heating and air-conditioning systems and the maintenance of the cafeteria and the theater are necessary.
Read 136 Reviews

• A

• 664 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Abraham Lincoln High

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 311

Senior: Its a safe, clean, and good school to spend your 4 years! Teachers here are mostly nice and good enough to teach. But sometimes, you have to take initiative to act for yourself since its a pretty big school so no one would ever come to you and asking what you think. However, this is a pretty good school to stay for four year without stressing yourself too much as well as not slagging and not learning anything. Therefore, as a mustang, I will recommend this school! And they also offer ELD classes for new comers which is really helpful!
Read 311 Reviews

• A

• 2,072 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Claire Lilienthal Elementary

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• A

• 680 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lafayette Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A

• 548 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chinese Immersion School At Deavila

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A

• 400 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Clarendon Alternative Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A

• 541 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sunset Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A

• 403 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sherman Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 379 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alice Fong Yu Elementary

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-8
• 3

Parent: As a Chinese Immersion school, AFY is not for every family. My kids thrived in the small school environment but for others, having the same classmates for 9 years can be stifling and awkward. The majority of teachers are great - caring yet having high expectations and able to get the best out of their students. Unfortunately, parent involvement has declined over the years.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• 589 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alamo Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 533 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

George Peabody Elementary

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1

Parent: This is an excellent school. Wonderful teachers and administrative staff. Many wonderful resources for your child and you!
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 276 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Miraloma Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 389 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ulloa Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 522 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Frank McCoppin Elementary

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 213 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Balboa High School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 221

Alum: Overall, Balboa gave me a great opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. I also enjoyed that our school had several learning pathways students can learn from and build individual interests. Sports impacted my life and so I would say the coaches and faculty were all loving, caring and so supportive!
Read 221 Reviews

• A-

• 1,249 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Presidio Middle School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 6

Middle School Student: Presidio is advanced in terms of academics. Most teachers are good, but then there are always a few bad teachers. Presidio is 45% Asian, so it's not really the most diverse school. Presidio does offer many different clubs run by teachers either at lunch, before school, or after school. Presidio isn't the most secure school since the front door is always left open, but their is a security desk there. Most of the faculty and staff are good, but then there are always some weird staff. The administration team is good, but improvements could always be made. Presidio's sports are very good, but our girl teams win more championships than the boy teams. The PTA is very dedicated to funding our school to make it better for both the students and the staff. There is always someone to reach out to in Presidio, whether it's your guidance counselor or a friend, you have a ton of resources around you. The cafeteria food is not that great and I wish it would be better.
Read 6 Reviews

• A-

• 1,134 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

New Traditions Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 255 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lawton Alternative Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• A-

• 594 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

George Washington High

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 361

Junior: I've been at George Washington High School for 3 years now and it has been great but, I feel as though certain aspects of the school need to be ameliorated before I can say that it is excellent. In my experience so far, my teachers have all been commendable and I have learned a lot in my years at Washington. I do think that there is a lack of communication between teachers and students that creates a divide between the two, making it harder for the students to ask for help. There are more minor issues I still have with this school but other than that, I've yet to have a bad teacher here.
Read 361 Reviews

• A-

• 2,010 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Galileo High School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 455

Senior: Galileo High School has high-achieving academics programs and an over the top student culture. Starting from Sophmore year at Galileo, one can apply to a vast array of different AP classes and career and interest pathways taught by friendly and responsible teachers who care about their student's academic, personal, and future success. The school also provide different clubs for students to have fun and connect with their fellow schoolmates and teachers. Clubs are run by their student leaders chosen by the club members, there is little intervention from adults which allows students to express their creativity in collaboration with others to accomplish a goal that they as a club set together. Although the school lunches are sometimes unbearable, Galileo High is still a fun choice for one to have their high school experience.
Read 455 Reviews

• A-

• 1,872 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McKinley Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 385 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Argonne Elementary School

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 433 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

A. P. Giannini Middle

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 13

Parent: My son has enjoyed his time at APG. He's in 8th grade and especially appreciates his wonderful teachers who have challenged even while entertaining him (because at this age, don't the two go together sometimes)?
Read 13 Reviews

• A-

• 1,196 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Francis Scott Key Elementary

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 555 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio