School Reorganization

SFUSD is redesigning how students are assigned to elementary schools, and deciding where academic programs are located. The two go together, because one depends on the other.

The district has two elementary assignment policies on the books. Board Policy 5101, adopted in 2011, is the citywide choice system running today. Board Policy 5101.2, adopted in 2020, created a zone-based system but was never put in place. This work is about deciding which approach is right for SFUSD now.

What are We Are Addressing 

How Students are Assigned 

Student assignment determines the rules that give each student a school. Today most families have the option to apply to any SFUSD elementary and K8 school, with priority given to their local school. The Board is looking at options that would promise a seat closer to home while keeping access to programs across the city. 

Access to Quality Programs

SFUSD offers a range of models and programs, including language pathways, K-8 schools, special education classes, and transitional kindergarten. School Reorganization looks at what programs we offer, where we offer them, and the rules for getting into them, so that more families meet their child's needs. 

The decisions build on each other. The Board sets a direction in October. Program placement follows in December, because where programs sit determines how many seats each neighborhood has. The Board adopts the full policy in April.

That leaves 2027 to do the work of putting it in place: drawing boundaries, updating our enrollment systems, training staff, and explaining the new system to families. It has to be ready by fall 2027, when applications open for school year 2028-29.

Any changes would start in school year 2028-29. They would apply to families entering TK or kindergarten for the first time, and families new to SFUSD entering an elementary or K-8 school. Students already enrolled will not be moved.

This work currently focuses on elementary and K-8 assignment rules, language and citywide program placement, TK expansion, special education program placement, and middle school feeder patterns.

The Board is holding seven study sessions between August 2026 and May 2027. Study sessions are working meetings where the Board and staff discuss information in public. They are not decision meetings. Public comment is taken before each session, on the topics listed on that meeting's agenda.

Slides, recordings, and a plain-language recap are posted after every session. We will share how to give input at each stage.