San Francisco is known for its innovation, cultural diversity, and world-class education. With a mix of prestigious public, private, and charter schools, the city offers outstanding opportunities for families seeking top-tier academics, strong extracurriculars, and inclusive learning environments. Whether you’re new to the Bay Area or a long-time resident researching the best options for your child, this guide explores the best schools in San Francisco for 2025.
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Best Schools in San Francisco
Top Schools in San Francisco (2025)
We evaluated schools based on academic performance, student-teacher ratios, diversity, college readiness, extracurricular offerings, and parent reviews. The list includes a balanced mix of public, private, and charter schools to give you a full view of what San Francisco has to offer.
1. Lowell High School
Location: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Type: Public Magnet School
Grades: 9–12
Lowell High School is widely recognized as one of California’s most prestigious and academically challenging public high schools. Established in 1856, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest public secondary schools west of the Mississippi River. Over the decades, Lowell has built a national reputation for academic excellence, producing generations of high-achieving graduates who go on to attend top-tier universities, including Ivy League schools, Stanford, and the University of California system.
Admission to Lowell is highly competitive and based primarily on academic merit, making it a true magnet for some of the most motivated students in the San Francisco Unified School District. The school offers more than 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, allowing students to explore subjects in depth and earn college credit while still in high school.
Beyond academics, Lowell nurtures a vibrant campus life. It’s home to award-winning teams in debate, science, and robotics, as well as a rich offering of extracurricular clubs, ranging from Model UN and coding to environmental activism and creative writing. The student government is robust, giving students real influence in campus affairs.
Lowell also has strong programs in the arts and music, with opportunities in orchestra, theater, and visual arts that allow students to explore creativity alongside academic pursuits.
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~24:1
Special Notes: Best suited for highly driven students; fast-paced and intellectually stimulating environment.
Special Notes: One of the oldest public schools west of the Mississippi; academically intense
2. Lick-Wilmerding High School
Location: Balboa Park area, San Francisco
Type: Private College Preparatory School
Grades: 9–12
Lick-Wilmerding High School, often referred to simply as “Lick,” is one of San Francisco’s most respected private high schools, known for blending academic rigor with meaningful hands-on learning and a commitment to social responsibility. Situated near Balboa Park, Lick provides a progressive, college-preparatory education that prepares students not only for higher education but also for thoughtful, engaged citizenship.
The school’s distinctive “Hand and Mind” curriculum sets it apart. Students study traditional academic subjects—such as English, science, math, and history—while also engaging in technical arts like woodworking, electronics, and metalwork. This unique pairing fosters both intellectual development and tangible, real-world skills. Courses in ethics and public policy round out the program, encouraging critical thinking about society and students’ roles within it.
Lick-Wilmerding is also celebrated for its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, creating a welcoming environment where students from many backgrounds feel seen and supported. Approximately 40% of students receive financial aid, and the school makes a strong effort to ensure socioeconomic diversity.
Academically, Lick offers a wide selection of AP and Honors courses, and its graduates are regularly accepted into top universities, including the University of California system, Stanford, and highly ranked liberal arts colleges nationwide.
Tuition: ~$55,000/year
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~9:1
Special Notes: Financial aid available; ideal for families seeking a balanced education rooted in values, creativity, and academic strength.1
Special Notes: Need-aware financial aid available
3. University High School (UHS)
Location: Pacific Heights, San Francisco
Type: Private College Preparatory School
Grades: 9–12
University High School (UHS) is one of San Francisco’s premier independent high schools, celebrated for its blend of academic rigor, student support, and vibrant extracurricular life. Located in the prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood, UHS delivers a dynamic, college-preparatory education that consistently places its graduates in elite universities, including Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and top UC campuses.
UHS emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore connections across subjects such as science and ethics, literature and history, or technology and society. The school offers a broad array of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well as electives in fields like artificial intelligence, environmental studies, and global politics.
One of UHS’s most praised features is its commitment to student wellness and mental health. The school maintains a strong support system with on-site counselors, a low student-teacher ratio of around 10:1, and a culture that prioritizes balance between achievement and well-being.
Beyond academics, UHS boasts top-tier performing and visual arts programs, including theater, jazz, digital media, and studio arts. Students can also take part in international travel, cultural exchanges, and service learning programs that promote global awareness and civic engagement.
Tuition: ~$53,000/year
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~10:1
Special Notes: Offers robust need-based financial aid and values diversity in all forms—economic, cultural, and intellectual.rs need-based financial aid; strong alumni network
4. Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA)
LocatLocation: Twin Peaks area, SFUSD
Type: Public Magnet School for the Arts
Grades: 9–12
Named after the renowned Japanese-American sculptor and arts advocate Ruth Asawa, San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) is the city’s premier public high school for aspiring artists. Nestled in the Twin Peaks area, the school provides a unique dual-focus education—blending a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with intensive, pre-professional training in the arts.
Students at SOTA must audition for admission into one of several conservatory-style disciplines, including music, theater, dance, creative writing, media arts, and visual arts. Once accepted, they spend several hours each day immersed in their chosen art form while still completing a full load of academic coursework. This model not only fosters artistic excellence but also prepares students for success in college and beyond.
SOTA’s reputation extends far beyond the Bay Area. Its alumni include Broadway performers, published authors, filmmakers, professional musicians, and fine artists. The school regularly hosts public performances, exhibitions, and community events, offering students real-world experience and exposure.
The campus environment is known for being inclusive, collaborative, and creatively charged, attracting a diverse student body from across the city. Students often say SOTA feels more like a college or conservatory than a traditional high school.
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~20:1
Special Notes: Ideal for students passionate about the arts; audition required for all applicants.
5. Chinese Immersion School at De Avila
Location: Haight-Ashbury, SFUSD
Type: Public Language Immersion Elementary
Grades: K–5
The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is one of San Francisco’s most distinguished elementary programs, offering a dual-language Mandarin-English education that starts in kindergarten. As part of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), this public elementary school combines high academic standards with a culturally rich learning environment, making it a top choice for families seeking bilingual education in the city.
Students at De Avila learn all core subjects—math, science, reading, and social studies—in both Mandarin and English, promoting early language fluency and cognitive flexibility. The school follows an immersion model, where a majority of instruction in the early grades is delivered in Mandarin, gradually increasing English use as students progress. This approach not only enhances bilingualism but also supports critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
What sets De Avila apart is its strong academic outcomes. The school consistently reports high test scores, and students are well-prepared for middle school immersion programs or English-only curricula. Parents are deeply involved in school life through volunteering, fundraising, and cultural events—creating a close-knit, supportive community.
The school also emphasizes the importance of cultural appreciation, integrating Chinese holidays, calligraphy, music, and traditional arts into its curriculum. Students gain a global perspective while remaining grounded in academic excellence.
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~18:1
Special Notes: Admission is lottery-based through SFUSD; spaces are competitive due to high demand.
6. Convent & Stuart Hall
Location: Pacific Heights
Type: Private Catholic School (Single-Sex and Coed Options)
Grades: K–12
Located in San Francisco’s prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood, Convent & Stuart Hall is a unique independent Catholic school that blends single-gender education with coeducational experiences, offering a dynamic and adaptable environment from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in the early and middle grades attend either the all-girls (Convent) or all-boys (Stuart Hall) divisions, while high school students participate in co-ed classes, combining the benefits of both models.
The school emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual development, and global citizenship. It offers a robust curriculum that includes Advanced Placement (AP) options and the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, preparing students for elite universities around the world. In addition to core subjects, students engage deeply with philosophy, theology, ethics, and social justice, encouraging critical reflection and ethical leadership.
Convent & Stuart Hall is grounded in Catholic values, but it welcomes students of all faiths, creating a community centered on respect, service, and personal growth. The school’s strong commitment to character education and civic responsibility is reflected in its emphasis on volunteerism, international immersion trips, and social entrepreneurship.
Beyond academics, students can participate in competitive athletics, performing arts, debate, robotics, and student leadership programs. The school offers a well-rounded education that fosters independence, compassion, and confidence.
Tuition: ~$45,000/year
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~10:1
Special Notes: Excellent fit for families seeking a values-driven, academically rigorous education with a global mindset.0:1
Special Notes: Welcomes students of all faiths; strong spiritual and ethical foundation
7. Gateway High School
Location: Western Addition, SFUSD Charter
Type: Public Charter High School
GradesLocation: Western Addition, SFUSD Charter
Type: Public Charter High School
Grades: 9–12
Gateway High School stands out in San Francisco’s educational landscape as a small, mission-driven charter school dedicated to equity, inclusion, and college readiness. Founded with the goal of closing opportunity gaps, Gateway focuses on supporting diverse and historically underserved student populations, including many first-generation college-bound students.
Gateway offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum while maintaining a nurturing and personalized learning environment. With a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1, teachers are able to closely monitor each student’s progress and provide tailored academic and emotional support. The school is known for fostering a strong sense of community, where students feel seen, heard, and encouraged to excel.
One of Gateway’s core strengths is its comprehensive college counseling program. From freshman year onward, students receive individualized guidance on course selection, extracurricular planning, SAT/ACT prep, and the college application process. As a result, over 95% of Gateway graduates go on to attend college, many with scholarships and financial aid packages.
The school also emphasizes social-emotional learning, equity in education, and inclusive practices. Students participate in advisory periods, community-building events, and leadership development programs. Gateway’s curriculum includes a mix of core academic subjects, college-level electives, and enrichment courses in the arts and humanities.
Student-Teacher Ratio: ~12:1
Special Notes: Excellent fit for students seeking a supportive, academically rigorous environment, particularly those from underrepresented or economically challenged backgrounds.
Conclusion
San Francisco offers one of the most vibrant and diverse educational landscapes in the United States. From academically rigorous public magnets to culturally rich immersion programs, faith-based institutions, and creative arts-focused campuses, the city’s schools reflect its spirit of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.
Whether your family is seeking a school with strong STEM offerings, deep roots in the arts, bilingual instruction, global citizenship, or personalized college counseling, there’s a perfect fit waiting in San Francisco. Each of the schools featured in this guide brings something exceptional to the table—supporting not just academic success, but the growth of well-rounded, confident individuals.
Choosing a school is a deeply personal decision. We strongly recommend that families explore official school websites, attend open houses, schedule campus tours, and connect with current students, teachers, and parents. Understanding the culture and day-to-day environment of a school is key to finding where your child will thrive.
As the 2025 academic year approaches, now is the perfect time to reflect on your priorities and plan for your child’s educational journey.
Stay curious, stay committed, and invest in a brighter future with one of San Francisco’s top schools.
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