With exceptional public magnet schools focused on STEM, arts and humanities alongside highly-ranked private college preparatory institutions, San Francisco offers premium high school options to match different talents and interests.
Selecting your teenager‘s high school is an important process requiring time and consideration of their needs academically, socially and for desired college/career paths. This expert guide will illuminate San Francisco‘s top-ranked high schools and programs – both public and private – as well as key factors to evaluate so your student can thrive toward their greatest potential.
The Wide Range of High Quality SF High Schools
San Francisco families can choose between public schools operated by SF Unified School District (SFUSD) or private/independent institutions. SFUSD manages 19 unique high schools including Lowell (California‘s #14 school), Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, Abraham Lincoln, Mission and Washington providing strong college-prep academics enhanced by specialized curriculum and extracurricular activities tailored to diverse talents and passions. Private schools also deliver premium education, college counseling and community often defined by gender, values or instructional approach — though average yearly tuition runs $45,000 at top SF independents. This guide profiles lead SF high schools along with factors to match your child‘s best fit.
SFUSD‘s Lowell High School – Top of the Class
Ranking as California’s #1 public high school and #52 nationwide by Niche.com, Lowell High School of San Francisco delivers premier public education defined by profound academic rigor and enrichment across diverse pursuits. Integrating intellectual with personal growth, Lowell’s culture enables motivated students’ ambitions through an average 1270 SAT, 95% graduation rate and 95% college acceptance.
Unparalleled Academics prepping Lowellites for Top Universities
With intensely competitive admissions based on middle school grades, exam scores and residence, Lowell serves high-achieving, intellectually curious students ready to be challenged. Lowell’s comprehensive college-prep program includes 22 Advanced Placement courses, honours/gifted curriculum and Stanford University acceleration options. Strong pillars in STEM, humanities and languages build critical knowledge while making cross-disciplinary connections.
Lowell teachers engage students with university-level content and independent inquiry. Sharing, “My Government teacher leads spirited debates on social issues bringing history and ethics to life while still covering required curriculum,” senior Jane Chang explained how Lowell instruction motivates deeper understanding. Beyond core subjects, Lowell’s 150 after-school programs give students agency to extend academics through journalism class publishing books to competing math/STEM contests globally.
With 89% matriculating to top California schools including 15% admitted to UC Berkeley last year, Lowell undoubtedly delivers the scholarly foundation for ambitious university plans.
Cultivating Well-Rounded ‘Lowellites’
Yet Lowell philosophy recognizes students need more than academic training to lead fulfilling lives. An enriched focus encourages intellectual curiosity beyond textbooks to promote lifelong learning across Lowell’s 100+ student-led clubs, 25 competitive athletic programs and 20 performing groups.
Whether launching an entrepreneurial venture through the Invest club, protecting oceans with Surfrider Foundation or bonding across cultures in JPop club, Lowell offers limitless room for students’ autonomy, leadership and creativity. “I‘ve explored interests from lacrosse to Libertarians club while making amazing friends schoolwide,” Chang added. “Lowell has helped me recognize my strengths while becoming a more thoughtful, well-rounded person which I know will help me in college and life.”
Through this lens of scholar-athletes and empathetic leaders, Lowellites graduate prepared to excel at America’s best universities having honed knowledge plus the vision and character to positively impact the world.
SF School of the Arts (SOTA) – Nurturing Young Artists
Alongside Lowell orienting SF’s top academic achievers, Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) provides focused artistic training supporting motivated young talents. SOTA students immerse in their chosen arts discipline including dance, orchestra, technical theater, creative writing or dance while integrating core college-prep academics.
This interdisciplinary approach combines professional arts instruction with general education for a holistic experience. Aspiring artists refine craft through mentoring relationships with working SF artists bringing real-world perspective. Students additionally showcase talents around the city and in SOTA’s state-of-the-art facility specialized for each arts area. With a 98% graduation rate and 82% entering specialized art institutes or colleges, SOTA prepares youth for creative careers through tailored skill-building while sustaining academic growth.
“Getting daily guidance from my mentor, a professional dancer, combined with technique classes has profoundly impacted my movement and performance – while science and writing gives creative grounding,” shared senior dancer Amelia Li. “I’m so grateful SOTA gave me this tailored attention to accelerate my artistic growth.”
Abraham Lincoln High School – College Prep with Inclusive Community
Delivering a 93% college acceptance rate, Abraham Lincoln High School empowers academic success through a lens of diversity, passion and real-world integration. Lincoln’s enriched curriculum spans AP courses to honour-level humanities, math, science and language programs aligned to students’ ambitions. With academic programming extending from Biotechnology Career Pathway through Humanities Institute seminars to Math Engineering Science Achievement workshops, Lincoln enables customized learning plans.
Thirty competitive sports teams, 25+ clubs plus award-winning theatre and music programs give Lincoln students essential opportunities to lead, create and bond around shared interests. From Make-a-Difference Day to Drag Show to Black Student Union, Lincoln celebrates plurality of identity, thought and background representative of San Francisco.
“I‘ve grown tremendously in confidence to be exactly who I am while pushing toward my dreams with supportive friends and teachers every step,” described senior Vivek Chaudhry involved in Unity through Poetry events, robotics club and varsity tennis. This combination of enriched yet accessible programming empowers Lincoln students from all backgrounds and abilities to realize college and career goals.
More Notable SFUSD High School Options
Other highly-rated SFUSD schools delivering strong academics, student leadership opportunities and community engagement include:
Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School – Providing rigorous college-prep curriculum fused with community service initiatives as 40+ student groups volunteer 10K+ hours yearly at local nonprofits.
The Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) – Enabling artists specializing in creative writing, dance, music, theater or visual arts to develop craft through mentorships with working SF artists (profiled previously).
Mission High School – College and career preparation focused on leadership, diversity and real-world skills through programs like Internship Seminar and Innovation Technology Pathway.
Galileo Academy of Science and Technology – Immerses motivated students seeking STEM careers with accelerated math/science academics, shadowing, certification and research opportunities.
Washington High School – College-readiness curriculum integrating arts and technology with community-building via 30 student-led clubs, 14 sports teams plus events uniting families.
Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School – Tailors teaching strategies to ensure each student succeeds through Academies structure personalizing English, math, science and STEM applications coursework.
Leading Bay Area Private High Schools
Alongside public school options, several exceptional private high schools welcome SF students seeking premium education and specialized programming for entering top universities nationwide. We highlight three exemplary San Francisco-area private schools clearly differentiated by offerings and personalities supporting graduates‘ success through college and adulthood.
Katherine Delmar Burke School – Empowering Leadership in Gifted Girls
An exclusive independent all-girls school since 1936, Katherine Delmar Burke uniquely focuses on developing high-achieving young women‘s ambitions by equipping intellectual daring, empathy and leadership competence to create meaningful change. Serving driven 6th-12th grade students through personalized curriculum integrating STEAM applications (science/tech/engineering/arts/math) with social sciences and humanities, Burke fosters relevant skills, resilience and responsibility.
With average 12 students per class allowing customization alongside a grounding Advisory program, each girl receives diligent college counseling administering PSATs by 10th grade. This cultivated approach pays dividends with 43% matriculating to Ivy League schools (Columbia, UPenn, Brown, etc), 51% entering other top 35 national universities plus 40% pursuing STEM majors.
"Between robotics club, basketball team and leading Outreach community service, I’ve strengthened my technology skills and confidence to improve lives with that talent," notes 10th grader Sierra Koimbridge planning to integrate engineering and human-centered design in college studies toward medical inventions. "Burke has given me sisterhood support and courage to access any opportunity."
The Bay School of San Francisco – Project-Based Learning for Real World Impact
Progressive learning methodology immersing students in creative inquiry, design-thinking and passion-led innovation defines The Bay School of San Francisco high school experience. Instead of separated subjects, Bay School teachers facilitate deeply collaborative, experiential learning across humanities and sciences. Students co-develop year-long projects solving sustainability issues or launching social enterprises allowing personalized adventures revealing talents.
With 100% four-year college acceptance, 30% matriculating to top California schools like UC Berkeley and Stanford, Bay School prepares graduates to address complex 21st century situations. "I learned so much about educating my community about health through student-led Pop Up courses, I‘m now planning an on-campus event series to continue impacting this issue in college," shares senior Priya Agarwal. Through sustained engagement with program partners like Virgin HealthMiles, Bay School students develop agency and abilities transforming passions into college studies and career solutions.
Stuart Hall High School – Developing Competent, Conscientious Young Men
Founded in 1945 around transformational values of community, intellectual development and service, Stuart Hall School for Boys provides exceptional learning experiences empowering achievement and awakening purpose from middle through high school. Integrating rigorous traditional academics with skill-building for positive masculinity translating into Big Picture vision, Stuart Hall develops graduates attending top universities who contribute meaningful change as alumni.
With average 16 students per class taught by faculty advocating a growth mindset in scholars and athletes alike, Stuart Hall delivers personalization advancing students‘ evolving ambitions whether MIT or art school. 9th graders develop four-year plans mapping academic, character and career enrichment priorities through graduation and beyond. From intellectual discourse in Ethics & Leadership to Public Speaking class and Social Innovation Design Challenge engaging San Quentin prison residents, Stuart Hall coursework builds competence and conscience simultaneously.
"The school genuinely supports our becoming best selves whether co-leading a Middle School buddy program or struggling/excelling in Physics," notes senior pitcher/honour roll student Zach Calero. "Stuart Hall has helped me recognize strengths needing further development to handle college and life." Through dynamic global travel, outdoor adventures and leading school clubs, students build grit pursuing individual greatness and united community advancement.
Key Factors Choosing Your Student’s High School Fit
Selecting the right high school setting your teen up for college and career success involves understanding specific programs along with student culture shaping experience as significantly as curriculum quality. Consider aspects resonating with your child’s temperament and ambitions.
Visit First-Hand
Attending open houses and shadow days gives families authentic exposure to a prospective school by observing classes and daily life. How do student discussions make you/your child feel? Observe real school culture including diversity and friendships. Most importantly notice your teenager‘s reactions.
Speak with Current Students and Parents
Get the inside perspective by having candid conversations with presently enrolled teens and parents asking about workload, teacher engagement, stress level, friendships and fulfilling extracurricular options. What opportunities match your teen‘s needs?
Match Offerings to Interests and Talents
Identify your high schooler‘s core academic preferences like math/science aptitude or passion for languages, writing or arts to note programs nurturing versus simply accommodating those gifts. Do electives like journalism or engineering clubs align to college/career goals? What specialty focus could accelerate their capabilities through college-level studio art classes or AI training?
Consider Culture and Values
While stronger academically, a hyper-competitive environment won‘t suit every teen so ensure school community values like collaboration over rankings fit your child best. If an artistic, LGBTQ or tech-driven culture provides comfort and peer motivation, make note. See if community service requirements providing real-world connection inspire your student’s participation.
By balancing pedagogy with environment assessing a high school match beyond academics, families can discover the optimal springboard for your teen’s personal and college path ahead.
Discover San Francisco‘s High School Opportunity Awaits!
Through SFUSD specialized academies or private school approaches personalized for your teen’s aspirations, San Francisco provides exceptional high school options preparing diverse youth for college achievement and beyond via intellectual challenge, creativity outlets and values instilling purpose.
- Lowell delivers esteemed public education forged through scholarly rigor meeting ambitious students‘ potential recognized by Ivy League acceptances yearly.
- SF School of the Arts nurtures artistic talents with dedicated creative training and performing outlets propelling youth to leading conservatory programs.
- The Bay School of San Francisco facilitates deeply relevant learning where student-driven projects solve real-world problems translating passions into college studies and careers with impact.
- Katherine Delmar Burke empowers intellectual courage and leadership competence in gifted young women seeking to improve communities through STEAM applications.
- Stuart Hall builds fine young men of character and capability via traditional excellence fused with modern values securing graduates‘ ethical contributions at top universities.
I welcome further conversation illuminating your child’s gifts and which exceptional SF high school options best develop those talents. Please reach out with any questions while exploring San Francisco‘s wealth of premium public and private establishments ready to expand your student’s opportunities and outcomes.