by felipedebedout1 
Finding the Best Schools in San Francisco: A Friendly Guide for Real Estate Buyers
When you’re thinking about buying a home in San Francisco, one of the most important considerations is the quality of schools in each neighborhood. San Francisco has a unique educational landscape, with many great public, private, charter, and magnet schools to choose from, but there’s something you should know: entrance to public schools here is based on a lottery system. While you can rank your preferred schools, this system is not entirely random. It takes into account certain priorities such as whether a sibling already attends the school, how close you live to the school, and whether your family is from a historically underserved neighborhood. These factors help guide the process, but it’s important to note that there’s no guarantee of getting into your top choice, especially for high-demand schools.
Charter schools have a separate application process and manage their own lotteries, allowing families to apply directly. Magnet schools, on the other hand, are part of the SFUSD lottery system but may have extra application criteria, such as auditions or language tests, making them more selective for certain programs.
Because the lottery system allows students to apply to schools across the city, focusing on a specific district’s school quality may not be as critical as it would be in other cities. However, understanding the broader range of educational options—including public, private, and charter schools—can still help you make an informed decision when choosing where to live.
| District | Public Schools | Private Schools | Charter/Magnet Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 | A | A- | B+ |
| District 2 | A | B+ | – |
| District 3 | A | A- | A- |
| District 4 | A- | A | – |
| District 5 | B+ | A | A |
| District 6 | B | A- | B+ |
| District 7 | B+ | A+ | – |
| District 8 | B- | A- | A |
| District 9 | B+ | A- | B+ |
| District 10 | C+ | B- | B |
District 1: Northwest (Sea Cliff, Richmond, Jordan Park/Laurel Heights, Lone Mountain)
Public Schools: A
District 1 offers a great selection of public schools. Lafayette Elementary and Argonne Elementary are well-regarded, and Presidio Middle School is a solid choice for older kids. For high school, George Washington High School has a strong academic reputation.
Charter/Magnet Schools: B+
KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory is a good option for college-bound students, particularly those from underserved communities. It offers a college-prep-focused curriculum, though it faces some of the challenges common to charter schools in high-need areas.
Private Schools: A-
Private options are available but not as plentiful as in other districts. St. Ignatius College Preparatory and San Francisco Waldorf School offer strong alternatives for families seeking private education.
District 2: Sunset (Sunset, Parkside, Golden Gate Heights)
Public Schools: A
Public schools are the highlight of District 2. Alice Fong Yu Alternative School offers a highly sought-after Cantonese immersion program, while A.P. Giannini Middle School has a great reputation. Abraham Lincoln High School is a solid public high school option as well.
There are no charter or magnet schools in this district.
Private Schools: B+
While fewer private schools are available, St. Gabriel School offers a solid alternative for families looking outside the public system.
District 3: Southwest (Lakeshore, Merced Heights, Lakeside)
Public Schools: A
District 3 is home to Lowell High School, one of the top public high schools in California. It also has excellent elementary schools like Clarendon Elementary and Commodore Sloat Elementary, making it a strong district for public education. Aptos Middle School is a popular choice for middle schoolers.
Charter/Magnet Schools: A-
Creative Arts Charter School offers an arts-focused curriculum and is highly regarded for fostering creativity along with strong academics.
Private Schools: A-
Private schools like St. Cecilia School and St. Thomas More are great options for families looking for private education, though public schools take the spotlight here.
District 4: West of Twin Peaks (St. Francis Wood, Forest Hill, West Portal)
Public Schools: A-
District 4 offers some of the best elementary schools in the city, like West Portal Elementary and Miraloma Elementary, but it lacks middle and high schools of its own, requiring students to attend schools in nearby districts.
There are no charter or magnet schools in this district.
Private Schools: A
Private schools like St. Brendan School and West Portal Lutheran are well-regarded, offering strong academic programs and a close-knit community.
District 5: Central (Noe Valley, Castro, Cole Valley, Glen Park)
Public Schools: B+
This district has strong elementary schools like Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy and Clarendon Elementary, but middle school options like Everett Middle School face some challenges. Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA), a magnet school, is an outstanding option for high school students interested in the arts.
Charter/Magnet Schools: A
Ruth Asawa SOTA is one of the best magnet schools in San Francisco, offering a highly competitive, arts-focused education. Gateway Middle School provides a strong college-prep program, though it doesn’t outperform some of the top middle schools in the city.
Private Schools: A
Private options, such as The Urban School of San Francisco and Synergy School, are top-tier, making this district a great place for families looking for private education.
District 6: Central North (Hayes Valley, NOPA, Alamo Square)
Public Schools: B
Public schools in District 6 are improving but still face challenges. John Muir Elementary and Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School are working on boosting their performance, but they aren’t quite at the same level as schools in other districts.
Charter/Magnet Schools: B+
Gateway High School and Gateway Middle School offer strong college-prep programs and are known for supporting diverse learners, though they don’t rank among the city’s top-performing schools.
Private Schools: A-
Private schools like San Francisco Day School and Schools of the Sacred Heart offer excellent alternatives to the public school system.
District 7: North (Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Cow Hollow, Marina)
Public Schools: B+
Claire Lilienthal K-8 is a top-performing public school, but District 7 doesn’t have its own middle or high schools, which means students often need to attend schools in nearby districts.
There are no charter or magnet schools in this district.
Private Schools: A+
Some of the best private schools in the city are located in this district, including San Francisco University High School, Hamlin School, and Town School for Boys. These schools are highly prestigious and consistently rank among the best in the country.
District 8: Downtown/Northeast (Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Financial District)
Public Schools: B-
Public school options in District 8 are somewhat limited. Spring Valley Science Elementary is a good choice, but overall, families may need to look beyond this district for stronger public school options at the middle and high school levels.
Charter/Magnet Schools: A
Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is a magnet school that excels in providing a bilingual education, making it a great choice for families seeking immersion programs.
Private Schools: A-
Private schools, like Convent & Stuart Hall and Cathedral School for Boys, provide excellent education, making this district a good choice for families considering private schooling.
District 9: SoMa, Mission, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill
Public Schools: B+
District 9 offers a mix of unique public school programs, especially if you’re looking for bilingual education. Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 and Daniel Webster Elementary are standout schools, though middle and high school options in this district are still catching up.
Charter/Magnet Schools: B+
Mission Preparatory School and Thomas Edison Charter Academy provide solid educational alternatives but are still working on improving their academic outcomes compared to top-performing charters.
Private Schools: A-
Private schools like Live Oak School and International High School offer strong programs, giving families good private education options.
District 10: Bayview, Visitacion Valley, Excelsior
Public Schools: C+
District 10 struggles with public school performance, though schools like Monroe Elementary are improving. Thurgood Marshall Academic High School also faces challenges in delivering consistent academic results.
Charter/Magnet Schools: B
Charter schools like KIPP Bayview Academy and Leadership High School offer alternatives for families, though these schools still face challenges typical of charter schools in high-need areas.
Private Schools: B-
Private school options are more limited in District 10, though St. Elizabeth School is one of the stronger choices in the area.
Conclusion:
Navigating San Francisco’s school system can feel complex, but understanding the variety of educational options available is key to making the best choice for your family. From highly-rated public schools and prestigious private institutions to innovative charter and selective magnet schools, San Francisco offers a broad range of opportunities tailored to different needs and interests.
While the SFUSD lottery system governs public school placement, giving some preference based on factors like proximity and siblings, it’s important to remember that there’s no guarantee of getting into your top choice. Additionally, charter schools operate with separate application processes and their own lotteries, and magnet schools—while part of the SFUSD system—often have extra selection criteria, like auditions or language tests, making them more specialized.
When you’re looking to buy a home in the city, it’s not just about finding the right neighborhood—it’s about understanding the full scope of educational choices that could shape your family’s experience. Whether you’re prioritizing proximity to a specific school, access to an elite private education, or a fit for a charter or magnet program, this guide offers the insight you need to make informed real estate decisions in San Francisco.
If you’d like more personalized advice or have any questions about finding the right neighborhood for your family’s educational needs, feel free to reach out to me directly or use the ‘Contact Us’ button. I’m here to help!
