High schools in San Francisco

High schools in San Francisco
Name	San Francisco high schools
Settlement type	Educational institutions
Subdivision type	City
Subdivision name	San Francisco

High schools in San Francisco San Francisco's secondary schools form a complex network centered in San Francisco and influenced by institutions like University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, and cultural anchors such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Palace of Fine Arts. The system includes sites connected to historic districts like Mission District, Chinatown, San Francisco, North Beach, San Francisco, and waterfront areas such as the Embarcadero. Historic events and policies tied to Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Movement, and local initiatives shape enrollment, curriculum, and school structure.

Overview

San Francisco's secondary landscape encompasses schools operated by the San Francisco Unified School District, independent institutions with ties to Archdiocese of San Francisco, charter operators like KIPP Public Charter Schools, and specialty programs affiliated with higher education partners including San Francisco State University and University of California, San Francisco. The network interfaces with civic entities such as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, regional authorities like the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (California), and cultural organizations including the San Francisco Symphony and Asian Art Museum. Facilities vary across neighborhoods including Tenderloin, San Francisco, Sunset District, San Francisco, Richmond District, San Francisco, and Castro District, San Francisco.

Public High Schools

Public offerings include neighborhood comprehensive campuses and citywide options run by the San Francisco Unified School District. Notable public campuses are tied to sites like Lowell High School (San Francisco), Balboa High School, George Washington High School (San Francisco), Mission High School, John O'Connell High School and newer conversion projects influenced by Proposition 13 (California ballot proposition). Programs have connections to national models from organizations such as the National Education Association and state entities like the California Department of Education.

Private and Parochial High Schools

Independent and faith-based schools include institutions affiliated with the Archdiocese of San Francisco, historic academies with links to religious orders such as the Society of Jesus and the Congregation of Christian Brothers, and secular private schools modeled on national peers like Phillips Exeter Academy and Riverside School. Examples encompass colleges preparatory programs preparing students for acceptance to institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and liberal arts colleges including Amherst College and Wellesley College. Many private campuses maintain partnerships with arts organizations including American Conservatory Theater and San Francisco Ballet.

Specialized, Magnet, and Charter Programs

Specialized options include magnet programs focused on science and technology connected to organizations like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, arts-focused tracks interacting with Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, and language immersion pathways reflecting communities tied to Chinatown, San Francisco and immigrant networks from Mexico and China. Charter operators such as KIPP and regional networks influenced by Charter Schools Development Center offer alternatives to district enrollment. STEM pipelines link to research institutions like Gladstone Institutes and healthcare partners such as UCSF Medical Center, while arts magnets collaborate with venues like Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Asian Art Museum.

Admissions and Enrollment Trends

Admissions policies range from neighborhood assignment set by the San Francisco Unified School District to selective exams similar to those for Lowell High School (San Francisco) and lottery systems used by charter groups modeled after KIPP Public Charter Schools. Enrollment trends reflect demographic shifts tied to migration from Silicon Valley, housing changes influenced by San Francisco rent control, and economic forces shaped by firms like Salesforce and Twitter, Inc. Changing patterns also respond to legislative actions such as statewide measures by the California State Legislature and local ballot measures passed at San Francisco City Hall.

Academic Performance and Graduation Rates

Academic outcomes are tracked by the California Department of Education and reported in comparisons against statewide metrics and indicators used by national rankings such as those published in U.S. News & World Report and assessments like the SAT and Advanced Placement Program. Graduation rates vary among campuses including selective schools like Lowell High School (San Francisco), comprehensive campuses such as Balboa High School, and alternative programs. Partnerships with higher education institutions including City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University support dual enrollment and college readiness initiatives.

Extracurriculars, Athletics, and Arts

Extracurricular life spans athletics competing under organizations like the California Interscholastic Federation and cultural programs tied to institutions such as the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and American Conservatory Theater. Schools field teams in traditional sports influenced by statewide leagues and host arts events leveraging venues like Davies Symphony Hall, Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco), and community spaces in Golden Gate Park. Student journalism and debate programs reference models from entities like the National Speech and Debate Association and literary networks connected to publishers including McSweeney's.

History and Notable Alumni

San Francisco's secondary institutions have histories intersecting with events such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, postwar migrations influenced by the Bracero Program, and civil movements like the Gay liberation movement and Chicano Movement. Alumni include figures who attended local schools and later joined institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earned awards like the Pulitzer Prize, or served in offices like Mayor of San Francisco. Notable graduates have gone on to prominence at organizations including Apple Inc., Google LLC, Facebook, and cultural contributions to outlets like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone.

Category:San Francisco schools