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San Francisco Area Schools

As you begin your search for the right school for your child, look at as many schools as you can. Make a list of all the schools which interest you. Once you have done that, you can begin to shorten the list and visit the schools which seem to be the best match.
A Tour of San Francisco Schools
San Francisco has it all, the stunning setting, a vibrant and highly diverse cultural and social fabric and great institutions of learning. The K-12 private schools fllow suit. There literally is something for everybody. Join me for a taste of private schools in San Francisco.
Action Day Nurseries and Primary Plus Schools, San Jose
"We are proud to provide the Santa Clara Valley community with seventeen programs for children ranging from infant care, preschools, elementary schools, and a middle school."
Adda Clevenger Junior Prep and Theater School, San Francisco
"The Adda Clevenger School was established in 1980 to serve the needs of children who have above average or superior learning ability. The school offers grades kindergarten through eighth and is committed to providing the best in arts as well as academic education."
Alma Heights Christian Academy, Pacifica
"A college preparatory school serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1955."
Alpha Beacon Christian School, San Carlos
"Established since 1969 and accredited by ACSI (K-12th grades), Alpha Beacon Christian School has served thousands of families on the San Francisco Peninsula with a strong, traditional biblical-based education."
Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose
"Archbishop Mitty High School is a Catholic school offering a college preparatory course of study."
Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco
"Archbishop Riordan High School is an urban Catholic high school for young men, owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco and conducted by the Society of Mary, the Marianists, who are assisted by laymen and women."
Archway School, Oakland
"Archway is a small K - 8 school, founded to nurture children's curiosity and love of learning."
Arrowsmith Academy, Berkeley
"Arrowsmith Academy is a multicultural college  preparatory school committed to the individual  success of each student."
The Athenian School, Danville
"A distinctive San Francisco Bay Area college preparatory school, Athenian provides an outstanding education: challenging, engaging, personal, interactive and international. Grades 6-12 day, 9-12 boarding."
Aurora School, Oakland
"Aurora School is a leader among Bay Area elementary schools, recognized for its excellence in curriculum, teaching strategy and community involvement. Aurora students are lifelong learners with the strength and skills to succeed in a future full of change and challenge."
Beacon Schools, Oakland
"Beacon High School is a private, non-profit, independent high school offering a unique educational environment. Founded in 1991 as the logical extension of the nationally-acclaimed Beacon Day School (founded in 1982), Beacon High School has been widely praised for its innovative approach to educating adolescents."
Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose
"Bellarmine is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men in the educational tradition of St. Ignatius Loyola and the Society of Jesus."
Bentley School, Oakland
"Bentley School is a coeducational day school providing a quality education for children with high potential who come from families who are supportive of our goals."
Berkeley Montessori School, Berkeley
"Berkeley Montessori School is an independent school serving about 270 children ages 3 to 14 in Berkeley, California. We have been empowering children since 1963, following the child-centered, peace-based educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori."
Black Pine Circle School, Berkeley
"From Kindergarten until eighth grade, students are given a solid basis on which to build their later skills."
Brandeis Hillel Day School, San Rafael
"Brandeis Hillel Day School is a Jewish day school providing an outstanding academic program for children in grades kindergarten through eighth."
The Branson School, Ross
"Located in the  heart of Marin County, CA., ten miles north of San Francisco, the school offers a challenging program of academics, arts, and athletics.  The school's model community service program and deep commitment to diversity are hallmarks of the institution.9-12. Coed. Day."
Bridgemont Junior and Senior High School, San Francisco
"Bridgemont is a non-denominational Christian, fully accredited, college preparatory school located in San Francisco."
Carden El Encanto School, Santa Clara
"Carden El Encanto joins all the Carden schools nationwide in embracing the time-proven curriculum and educational philosophy conceived by Mae Carden. Carden El Encanto Day School in Santa Clara, California opened in 1973 and has provided an outstanding education to thousands of students and sent them on to to lead enriched and fulfilling lives."
Carondelet High School, Concord
"Carondelet High School, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides quality Catholic education in a caring environment."
Casa di Mir Montessori Elementary School, San Jose
"Casa di Mir Montessori Elementary School is in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering high-quality Montessori education to children in grades 1-6."
Cathedral School for Boys, San Francisco
"The school enrolls approximately 235 boys in kindergarten through eighth grade and is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools."
Castilleja School, Palo Alto
"Castilleja School, established in 1907, is dedicated to providing a rigorous college preparatory education for young women in grades six through twelve."
Cedarwood Sudbury School, Santa Clara
"Provides an environment of freedom and support, not a required curriculum, for students aged 5-18. Each student is free to explore his or her own interests."
Center for the Education of the Infant Deaf, Berkeley
"Center for the Education of the Infant Deaf, CEID, is a model early intervention program for babies and young children with  hearing impairments and severe speech and language delays."
Challenger School, Sunnyvale
"Since 1963, Challenger School has been helping children grow into capable, happy and responsible adults. From preschool through eighth grade, Challenger School assists children develop their intellectual capacity, sense of responsibility, and self-esteem."
Charles Armstrong School, Belmont
"To serve the dyslexic learner by providing an appropriate educational experience which not only enables the student to acquire language skills, but also instills a joy of learning, enhances self-worth, and allows each the right to identify, understand and fulfill personal potential."
Children's Day School, San Francisco
"Children's Day School (CDS) is non-profit, nonsectarian school emphasizing both early childhood and elementary education."
Christian Life School, Novato
"Christian Life School is a ministry arm of Marin Christian Life Church. The school was established in 1979. Approximately 260 children from preschool through ninth grade attend C.L.S. Classes are taught in a traditional format with one teacher and classroom for each grade. Junior High is departmentalized with students moving from class to class."
Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School, San Francisco
"Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School (CES) is an independent Catholic school for girls in grades kindergarten through eighth grade."
Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco
"Convent of the Sacred Heart High School (CSH) is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school serving 200 young women in grades nine through twelve."
Cornerstone Academy, San Francisco
Our mission is to "guide students toward excellence in academic, social, physical, and spiritual development based on Christian principles."
Corpus Christi School, San Francisco
"Corpus Christi School is a Salesian K-8 Grammar School, within the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Our school reflects the teaching philosophy of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian Order. John Bosco's philosophy of teaching children is built on Reason, Religion, and Loving Kindness."
The Crowden School, Berkeley
"The Crowden Day School -- now in its 19th year of existence -- is a full academic day school specializing in the musical growth and education of children in grades four through nine (about 70 stduxents attend the school annually). The TCS academic program has received strong recognition as an excellent background for high school and college."
De Mirillac Middle School, San Francisco
"The De La Salle Christian Brothers and the Daughters of Charity, who together conduct Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, one of San Francisco's premier high schools, are joining together once again to open a coeducational middle school to serve at-risk young people in grades six through eight."
Diablo Valley School, Concord
"Who enrolls in Diablo Valley School?  Students ages 5 to 19 who do not require intense supervision and do not have any severe disabilities that the staff is not equipped to handle. DVS admits students of any race, color and national and ethnic origin."
The Discovery Center School, San Francisco
"For the past 31 years, The Discovery Center School has successfully provided a very supportive learning environment for the development of excellence in each of our young learners."
Drew College Preparatory School, San Francisco
"Founded in 1908, the school has grown from a one student "coaching school" downtown to a fully accredited co-educational college preparatory school enrolling approximately 175 students in grades 9 through 12."
Dunham Academy, San Rafael
"Dunham Academy is an academically selective, independent, co-educational day school for gifted and motivated students. We offer students a rich and challenging curriculum in a nurturing environment from Kindergarten through Eighth grade."
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley, Berkeley
"Education with a world view - Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade - Academic - Bilingual - Multicultural"
Ecole Internationale de la Peninsule, Palo Alto
"The International School of the Peninsula (ISP) combines the best of the French and American systems to offer the highest quality bilingual education to students from pre-kindergarten through grade 8."
Foothills Elementary School, St. Helena
"Since 1902 Foothills Adventist Elementary School has offered quality Chrisitian education in the heart of the Napa Valley."
French American International School, San Francisco
"A first class bilingual education in a diverse and rigorous international setting."  K-12. Coed. Day.
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory High School, Santa Cruz
"A comprehensive, non-sectarian, college-preparatory high school."
German School of San Francisco, San Francisco
"A non-profit organization founded in 1935 offering German language instruction for children grades K through 8 and for adults of various proficiency levels."
The Hamlin School, San Francisco
"Parents who seek a challenging contemporary education for their daughters should consider Hamlin, which provides a sound scholastic environment for qualified students from kindergarten through eighth grade."
The Harker School, San Jose
Established in 1893. K-8. Coed. Boarding/Day.
The Head-Royce School, Oakland
"A challenging program in the liberal arts and sciences in a supportive environment." K-12. Coed. Day.
Hebrew Academy of San Francisco, San Francisco
"The Hebrew Academy is a Jewish day school that offers a rigorous academic and traditional religious education in a nurturing environment where students are well prepared to meet the challenges of living as adults in the modern  world."
Hillbrook School, Los Gatos
"Hillbrook School provides an environment conducive to academic achievement for students of varying backgrounds."
The Hilldale School, Daly City
"The Hilldale School is a private, independent, co-educational school offering an exceptional program for students in kindergarten through sixth grades. (Seventh grade to be added in 2002 and eighth grade in 2003)"
Holy Name School, San Francisco
"Holy Name continues as a double grade school reflecting the cultural diversity of San Francisco."
Holy Trinity Orthodox School, San Francisco
"We welcome students from Orthodox and non-Orthodox families who are drawn to the Christian environment our faculty and staff endeavor to provide."
International School of the Peninsula, Palo Alto
"Each day at the International School of the Peninsula, 500 bright and energetic students representing more than 30 nationalities come together to learn a new language and experience first-hand all the benefits of a truly international community."
Jewish Community High School of the Bay, San Francisco
"JCHS maintains high academic standards with a dedicated and accomplished faculty who find ways every day to inspire a deep passion for learning. Through shared inquiry, challenge, and discovery, these talented educators develop strong and lasting bonds with their students."
Junipero Serra High School, San Mateo
"The Archdiocesan Catholic school educating the young men of San Mateo County. We are an academic high school, reflecting the cultural richness of San Mateo County with a strong college preparatory curriculum."
Katherine Delmar Burke School, San Francisco
"A kindergarten through eighth grade school for girls located in San Francisco. Our school is known for its excellent academic program, broad exposure to art, drama, and athletics, and for the ways in which we support education for girls."
Kittredge School, San Francisco
"Kittredge is a small, fully accredited, independent private school for boys and girls in grades one through eight. Located on Lake Street in San Francisco’s Richmond district, the school provides a strong academic program in a safe, nurturing environment."
Kolbe Academy, Napa
Founded in 1980, Kolbe Academy has been a pioneer in the movement to restore classical education to Catholic schools. Kolbe operates a day school in Napa, California and a nationwide home school program.
Lick-Wilmerding High School , San Francisco
"The School's goal is to produce self-directed, life-long learners who approach the world with sensitivity, creativity, competence, passion and can-do confidence." 9-12. Coed. Day.
Lycee La Perouse, San Francisco
"The Lycée Français International La Pérouse was created in 1967 by a group of students' parents."
Marin Catholic High School, Kentfield
"Marin Catholic High School is a college preparatory school serving young men and women in the Roman Catholic tradition."
Marin Country Day School, Corte Madera
"No longer a tent school, Marin Country Day School is located on a beautiful 39 acre campus in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco." K-8. Coed. Day.
The Marin Horizon School, Mill Valley
"Marin Horizon School provides for preschool children and school grades K - 8."
Marin Montessori School, Corte Madera
"Marin Montessori is widely recognized as one of the finest AMI Montessori schools in the world. In addition to academic excellence, we nurture the whole child, imbuing children with a love of learning as well as an inner sense of security and responsibility. We have classes from toddler through 6th grade, and our graduates have attended some of the leading secondary schools and colleges."
The Marin School, Sausalito
"We offer an educational environment where provocative challenges, intellectual rigor, and new avenues for exploration open the door to future student success."
Maybeck High school, Berkeley
"Maybeck, established in 1972, is a small community dedicated to learning. There are three key ideas in this statement: community, dedication and learning. We are individuals working together to create a positive, stimulating, academic environment in which students can develop socially and intellectually."
Menlo School, Atherton
"Menlo School was established in 1915 and is located in Atherton, California. Menlo is a private school serving appoximately 750 students in grades 6 through 12."
Mercy High School, San Francisco
"Mercy High School is committed to offering excellent educational opportunities to a diverse population of young women.  We strive to educate women to their highest level of competence, conscience and compassion."
Midland School, Los Olivos
"Its ideal rural location provides students with a host of opportunities --ranch living and management, organic farming, hiking, experiencing the vastness of the natural world--all in a demanding academic setting."
Montessori Children's Center, San Francisco
Traditional Montessori program for children age 2-6.
Montessori de Terra Linda, San Rafael
"Montessori de Terra Linda (MDTL), has been serving children and their families since 1970. MDTL offers a Montessori education for children ages two through twelve."
Miramonte School, Los Altos
"A Christian elementary and middle school. Our enrollment for the 1997-98 school year was 177 students in grades K-8. Although Miramonte is sponsored by nine local Seventh-day Adventist churches, any student desiring a Christian education may apply to attend the school."
Moreau Catholic High School, Hayward
"Moreau Catholic is a college-preparatory high school sponsered by the Brothers of Holy Cross."
Mountain View Academy, Mountain View
"Mountain View Academy is a co-educational Seventh-day Adventist Christian high school that serves the Bay Area communities."
North Bay Marin School, Mill Valley
"North Bay Marin School, a fully accredited program serving grades 7-12. At NBMS, students have the opportunity to discover their potential, to interact with a dedicted, supportive staff, to learn the value of community, and to experience academic and personal success."
The Nueva School, Hillsborough
"Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Nueva School is an independent day school for gifted students in prekindergarten through eighth grade."
Odyssey School, San Mateo
"Odyssey provides gifted students a creative, integrated, experiential curriculum that nurtures intellectual curiosity and emotional risk-taking in an intimate, challenging, yet safe community--resulting in personal accountability, ethical decision-making and an intrinsic passion for learning."
One World Montessori, San Jose
"Serving children 12 months through 15 years from the communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Los Altos, Campbell, San Jose, and Santa Clara and as far away as Santa Cruz and San Francisco."
The Pacific Academy of Nomura School, Richmond
"Pacific Academy Preparatory School is dedicated to teaching the whole child. Our program is designed to develop the intellect, character, physical fitness and creativity of each student."
Pacific West Christian Academy, Gilroy
"Pacific West Christian Academy is a private Christian school that enjoys the reputation as one of the finest kindergarten through eighth grade institutions in the area."
Phillips Brooks School, Menlo Park
"The Phillips Brooks School, founded in 1978, is an independent, coeducational day school located in Menlo Park, California. It enrolls 250 students in preschool through fifth grade."
Pinewood High School, Los Altos Hills
"Pinewood's enrollment (K through 12) is 625 strong. There are also 80 faculty members spread through the three campuses."
Presentation High School, San Jose
"Presentation High School is a Catholic school for girls located in San Jose, California."
Presidio Hill School, San Francisco
"Our K-8 school is a coeducational independent school committed to multiculturalism and the development of our students into active and responsible participants in the world."
Prospect School Sierra School, El Cerrito
Prospect Sierra, a K-8 school in the East Bay, is dedicated to "developing the heart, mind and community..." It has high academic standards with an equally strong emphasis on the arts and service learning.
Redwood Christian Schools, Castro Valley
"Redwood Christian Schools is a Christian, interdenominational, independent day school for boys and girls in grades K-12."
Redeemer Lutheran School, Redwood City
Redeemer Lutheran Elementary School (Grades K-8) is an accredited school providing a well-rounded education in a Christian environment.
Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Healdsburg
"At Rio Lindo, we place great emphasis on the role of spiritual values in the personal lives of our students, and encourage them to develop a Christian philosophy of life. Approximately two hundred students are currently attending Rio Lindo."
The Russian American School, San Francisco
"Located in San Francisco, California, the mission of Russian-American International School - the only full-time K-4 Russian school in San Francisco - is to provide a demanding international education that will challenge students to become extraordinary individuals, responsible and effective world citizens who prosper in and contribute to this world."
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco
"Inspired by the traditions of St. John Baptist de La Salle and St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is a Catholic, college preparatory school which educates young men and women in the heart of San Francisco."
Sacred Heart Preparatory, Atherton
"Sacred Heart Prep is a co-educational, Catholic, independent high school located in Atherton, California."
Saint Andrew's School, Saratoga
"Saint Andrew's School, Pre-school through Grade 8, today serves 450 students from over 15 communities in the South Bay and Peninsula Area."
Saint Finn Barr Catholic School, San Francisco
"Has for its purpose the Christian education of its youth, emphasizing the harmonious development of the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional endowments of young boys and girls in accordance with Gospel values, in the spirit of Vatican Council II, and the directives of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops."
Sacred Heart School, Sarataoga
"The mission of Sacred Heart School is to offer students a Catholic education from which they can draw the inspiration to live as Jesus did, to respect themselves and one another, and to become citizens of the Church and the world community." Montessori & K-8.
Saint Francis High School, Mountain View
"Founded in 1955 and merged with Holy Cross High School in 1972, Saint Francis currently enrolls over 1400 students and is sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross."
Saint Ignatius College Prep, Sunset
St.Ignatius-the oldest private school in San Francisco. 9-12. Boys. Day.
Saint Mark's School, San Rafael
"Saint Mark's School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, elementary school for students in grades kindergarten through eight."
Saint Monica School, San Francisco
"Saint Monica School is located in the Richmond District of San Francisco and is home to a culturally diverse population of families who seek a spiritually-rich, academically-challenging, emotionally-nurturing and socially-supportive Catholic education for their children."
Saint Paul's Episcopal School, Oakland
"Founded in 1975, St. Paul's is an independent K-8 school in downtown Oakland dedicated to the education and social development of children from all parts of the city. Fifty-one percent (51%) of St. Paul's students are children of color. A sliding scale tuition supports an unusually diverse student body."
Saint Thomas More School, San Francisco
"We are a vibrant Catholic school community in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1954, we strive to offer the best educational, spiritual, and cultural enrichment to our students."
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, Alameda
"Saint Joseph Notre Dame is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory, parish high school which is dedicated to the development of the whole person."
San Francisco Day School, San Francisco
"San Francisco Day School is an independent school with grades Kindergarten through 8th."
San Francisco University High School, San Francisco
"SFUHS offers an intellectually stimulating, personally enriching and academically challenging program in the liberal arts and sciences to a diverse student body." 9-12. Coed. Day.
San Francisco Waldorf School, San Francisco
"The first Waldorf School opened in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1919, introducing such breakthrough ideas as: coeducation in all grades; integration of the arts with academics; equal education for all children...whether they were bound for a trade or university."
The School of Choice, San Jose
"The School of Choice actively engages bright students in rigorous scholarship while developing their aesthetic and athletic talents; their successes build confidence which, in turn, raises expectations and boosts results."
School of the Madeleine, Berkeley
"The School of the Madeleine is a Catholic K-8 school."
School of the Epiphany, San Francisco
"At the present time Epiphany School has over 600 students in 18 classes. The faculty consists of 19 full time teachers, 1 part-time teacher, 4 classroom aides, and 2 full time administrators."
Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco
"Over the years, three adjacent homes on Broadway have been acquired to house what is now a three-school complex: Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School (K-8) and Stuart Hall for Boys (K-8) "
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa
We are an independent, college-prep high school located one hour north of San Francisco. Our curriculum is rigorous, relevant, and interdisciplinary.
Sonoma Country Day School, Santa Rosa
"Iindependent co-educational Day School -- Kindergarten through Eighth Grade -- located in the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California - one hour north of San Francisco."
South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Sunnyvale
"Academic Excellence from Pre-School Through Middle School."
Star of the Sea Catholic School, San Francisco
"Star of the Sea exists as part of a thriving faith community over 100 years old. Under the advocacy of Mary, our patroness, we guide families who trust their children’s education to our care. Inspired by the educational tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we meet students where they are, in order to lead them on the path toward Christ."
Stuart Hall for Boys, San Francisco
"Founded in 1956, Stuart Hall has provided excellent education for young men in San Francisco for over 40 years."
Synergy School, San Francisco
Synergy is a small, non-profit, private elementary K-6 school in San Francisco, CA.
Trinity Grammar and Prep, Napa
"We offer a superior classical education to every child willing to learn. Trinity's students represent all children, not just the most talented , and we challenge all of them to the limits of their abilities."
Trinity School, Menlo Park
"Trinity School encourages love of learning for children in preschool through grade five. The community upholds the values and traditions of the Episcopal Church and honors the role of the family in educating children. Trinity provides a comprehensive education program so that students can achieve their potential while preparing for future education challenges."
The Urban School of San Francisco, San Francisco
"The school offers a demanding college preparatory program in the arts, English, history, languages, mathematics, and science." Coed. 9-12. Day.
Ursuline High School, Santa Rosa
"In 1880, a small group of Ursuline sisters from Brown County, Ohio, opened a Select School for Girls in Sonoma County, and in 1957 the school moved to its present location on the lovely 58 acre Howarth Estate just north of Santa Rosa."
West Bay Christian Academy, Redwood City
WBCA is an independent Christian school with students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
West Portal Lutheran School, San Francisco
Christian Day School in the Evangelical Lutheran tradition.
Wood Rose Academy, Concord
A private independent school with a Catholic philosophy. Located in the Bay area. K-8.
Wood Rose Preparatory School, Concord
"Our stated goal is to provide a challenging academic environment so our children will be able to attend the best colleges. That said, if your child applies him or herself to our curriculum, they will not only be able to be accepted, but to be able to thrive in a university environment."
Woodside International School, San Francisco
"Founded in 1976, Woodside International School is an independent, co-educational school. We provide a warm and challenging environment designed to help students who are motivated to improve themselves, develop their potential, share their individual talents, and prepare for college."
Woodside Priory School, Portola Valley
Woodside Priory School, located four miles west of Stanford in the community of Portola Valley, California is a co-ed Benedictine High School (day & boarding for grades 9-12) and Middle School (day only for grades 6-8).
Woodland School, Portola Valley
"Woodland School is a coeducational independent dayschool enrolling students from Preschool through Eighth Grade."

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