Project-based learning

Borrowing from the thoughts of Robert Louis Stevenson, we believe that we are a success when we leave the world better than we found it, if we look for the best in others and give the best we have. Our mission to guide the development of a well-rounded human being who has the ability, skills, and attitude to contribute positively to self, family, community, and society. We want to prepare our students for responsible life in a free society. We want our students to understand the need for peace, tolerance, equality, and friendship among all people.

Sherman Elementary School, founded in 1892, is a K-5 CDE Distinguished Elementary School located in the Cow Hollow - Marina neighborhood of San Francisco.  Sherman has long been recognized for its balanced focus on academic excellence, social emotional growth, and equitable access for our diverse community of learners. In our efforts to provide the optimum conditions for learning and growth of every child in our care, Sherman also offers a range of additional programs that foster academic, environmental, artistic, and technological enrichment.

San Francisco Public Montessori strives to nurture each and every child's potential by providing learning experiences that support their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. We will achieve our mission by…

SF International is a small school that offers a unique program designed for recent immigrant students who have attended school in the United States for four years or less. SF International teachers are specially trained to offer extra support to help every student develop their academic English skills while they learn the content they need to graduate and be prepared for college.

Rooftop is a TK through 8th grade school with two campuses.  The TK to 4th grade campus is called the Twin Peaks Campus while the 5th through 8th grade campus is called the Mayeda Campus.  Campuses are located approximately two blocks apart.  

Rooftop strives to be much more than a school. Students, staff, and parents work together to create a respectful, caring community of learners focused on developing the unique strengths of each child. Rooftop's challenging educational program integrates the arts to empower all students to become academic achievers, critical thinkers, and effective problem-solvers.

O’Connell offers an innovative instructional model to prepare all students for college and the professional world. Students participate in rigorous project-based learning, build enduring relationships, and develop 21st century skills. At O'Connell, we believe every student should be able to make choices about his or her future, and define (rather than wait for) opportunities. Our students are prepared to enter post-secondary options of four-year universities, community colleges, or livable wage careers.

At John Muir School (home of the Bobcat Scholars) we consider families to be the first teachers of their children and our motto at John Muir is:  “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.” 

Founded in 1856 in San Francisco, Lowell High School is the oldest public high school west of the Mississippi. It is ranked as one of the highest performing public high schools in California, and has been recognized 4 times as a National Blue Ribbon School, 8 times as a California Distinguished School, and one time as a Gold Ribbon School. Lowell has been consistently ranked #1 in the Western Region for the number of Advanced Placement Exams given.