Parents applying to K-12 schools are often left staring at a blank box, wondering, how does admissions choose the children each year, especially at schools with many more applicants than spots. Should they enroll their children in supplemental academic programs, should they donate to the school, what should they do? I’ve broken down the application process to three stages for the three main entry points at the start of elementary (kindergarten), middle (6th grade), and high s

San Francisco Waldorf High School is a local gem where college prep is balanced with a Waldorf backbone with plentiful arts and music electives, a hands-on approach, outdoor education, and a supportive community, while providing the skills needed to thrive beyond college. Students attracted to a quarter system will love this school. Whether attracted to the senior projects, the weaving looms, or the rotating science curriculum, students coalesce in a tree-lined street proxima

Jewish Community High School of the Bay is a pluralistic Jewish high school that is a local gem attracting students from around the Bay Area. With around 45 kids per grade, the school caters to a variety of academic levels with personal attention to each student. Because it’s a small school, students feel that they matter. Teaching is high quality based on learning, with constructive feedback along the way. Stress is kept down . . .

Looking for a progressive school for your tween boy? Field Middle School offers a progressive learning curriculum with a Montessori feel in an all boys environment, focused on the needs of the middle schooler. Founded in 2021, Field Middle fosters executive function skills while maintaining rigor. The program offers opportunities for acceleration, deeper learning, and skills development. 

This past season, private school admissions exhibited demographic trends of families moving around the Bay Area, as well as impacts of a softening economy. In the Peninsula and South Bay, private schools noted an increase in applications, whereas some San Francisco independent schools saw a softening. What can we learn from these trends to prepare for the next season of admissions? Rather than risk missing the next shift, we can diversify our list and strengthen our applicati

For students applying to private high schools, the fall semester of 8th grade can be stressful. Between school tours, open houses, and application essays, a teen can feel overwhelmed, nevermind if you add on top of the application process the typical 8th grade academic load and extracurriculars. Students who spread the process out with advanced planning can plan the process, allowing the students to stay calm and focused, rather than overworked and stressed.

Finding the right school fit is always a priority, and it’s even more important for students with mild neurodiversity, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, or other special needs. For students who are both gifted and have an additional neurodiversity, often called 2E, it can be critical to find the right combination of support and challenge. This blog will focus on the characteristics of a school that provide this ideal environment.

We sometimes realize that our children need a new school outside of the standard application timelines. Whether the school changed, your child’s needs changed, your family relocated, or the lack of fit hit you late in the school year, it is still possible to make a change for the next school year.

Alta Vista specializes in project and inquiry based learning with customized rigor. Alta Vista School (AVS) fosters a love of STEM and arts.

Public or private school, and are the benefits of private school worth the cost? Today’s article will review facts and myths of each.

Brightworks of San Francisco pioneered project based learning in K-12 education, now nestled among trees in the Presidio.

Chinese American International School (CAIS) is well known in San Francisco for Mandarin program preK2 thru 8th grade, with entry at 6th.

The Lycée (preschool thru 12th grade French) opened an international baccalaureate (IB) program for 6th-12th graders who don't speak French.

Parents frequently wonder, is my kid gifted or a high achiever? How do I tell the difference? How should I choose a school to fit my child

Red Bridge is a school in Dogpatch San Francisco. They assign groups by level (not age) in categories of autonomy, reading, writing, math.

 San Francisco Schoolhouse is a progressive, affordable gem in Hayes Valley SF, with low student-teacher ratio and half the typical tuition

Kittredge School is a small, warm school with traditional academics and a focus students reaching their potential while instilling values

When applying to gifted schools, parents are asked to submit an IQ test for their child. These tests aim to show the ability to learn.

 The Brandeis School of San Francisco is a pluralistic Jewish Day School (see details below) that is warm and welcoming.

Parents with neurodiverse, gifted, or 2E children struggle to find a school. Hence, my excitement to to tour Saint Brigid Academy.