STUDENT LIFE

Academics

At Grattan, we believe in fostering a love of learning through an engaging approach that prioritizes inquiry-focused and project-based learning. We connect what students learn in the classroom to real-world experiences.
Pre-K & TK

In Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) we focus on social-emotional development, early literacy, and foundational math skills, preparing our youngest learners for a structured environment.

Kindergarten (K) 

Students build a strong foundation in reading, writing, and math while exploring science, social studies, and the arts.

Grades 1-3

The curriculum builds core academic skills and introduces more complex concepts.

Grades 4-5

Students refine their skills, practice peer leadership, and prepare for middle school in our combined classrooms.

Student Programs & Activities

Grattan Elementary offers a vibrant experience beyond the classroom, with many opportunities for students to learn and grow.
An image showing two adults on the flat, gravel-covered roof of Grattan Elementary School in San Francisco, preparing to drop student-designed egg-protection inventions to a large crowd of students gathered in the courtyard below. One person is shown mid-toss, releasing a yellow device with a long streamer, while the other holds a red and black parachute-style contraption. Sutro Tower and the houses of Cole Valley are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Egg Drop

A STEM challenge where students design and build a device to protect a raw egg from being thrown off Grattan's roof, applying principles of physics, engineering, and problem-solving.
An image showing a large group of elementary students sitting on the floor of a high-ceilinged auditorium, watching a group of their peers perform on stage. Approximately ten fourth and fifth-grade students stand on a raised stage behind music stands, playing violins while an adult accompanies them on a piano to the left. The auditorium features a distinctive coffered ceiling with skylights and a large colorful mural on the right wall depicting San Francisco landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

Upper Grade Instrumental Music

Fourth and fifth graders have the opportunity to participate in the instrumental music program.
A vibrant outdoor scene at Grattan Elementary featuring a group of elementary students and an adult speaker on a paved school yard. The speaker, wearing a black sweatshirt, hat, and sunglasses, holds a microphone while gesturing to the group. Several students stand nearby, some holding potted plants, while others stand behind a large hand-painted sign that reads "PEDAL POWER!" in bright pink letters. The background shows a school building with windows and a colorful mural.

Green Action Team

Hands-on activities that focus on environmental initiatives and sustainability efforts within the school community.
The image shows a large, vibrant mural painted on a slatted wooden fence or container wall in the Grattan Elementary schoolyard. The mural consists of horizontal slats painted in alternating shades of bright pink, magenta, and deep blue. The core tenets of "The Grattan Way" are painted in large, white, sans-serif block lettering across the slats: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Kind.

Student-Painted School Murals

Throughout the campus, vibrant murals designed and painted by students reflect Grattan’s creative spirit and commitment to "The Grattan Way."
An image showing a large group of families and community members gathered in the Grattan elementary courtyard at dusk for an outdoor movie night. Attendees are seated on blankets and low chairs across the yard, facing a large inflatable projector screen that displays a brightly lit animated scene. The surrounding neighborhood houses and trees are visible against an evening sky.

Film Fest

Grattan's free outdoor movie in the Grattan yard for families and community members.
A large crowd of children in matching teal t-shirts gathers excitedly beneath a vibrant rainbow banner that reads "GRATTAN FUN RUN."

Fun Run Fundraiser

Beloved school-wide event where students run to raise money for the school and celebrate community spirit.
An image showing a bird's-eye view of a clear sensory bin filled with vibrant craft materials. Multiple pairs of children's hands reach into the bin, which is overflowing with bright feathers, colorful pom-poms, and small plastic cups. The assortment includes a mix of textures and bold primary colors like red, blue, yellow, and neon pink.

Inclusion Carnival

A sensorial event held during Inclusive Schools Week that celebrates diversity with games and activities for all.
An image showing a close-up of a carnival-style game at the Grattan Fun Fest. An adult in a white shirt is reaching toward a mechanical racing game featuring small, plush toy dogs with checkered bandanas positioned on numbered lanes. In the background, other community members are visible in the sunny school yard, watching the game in progress.

Fun Fest

Year-end celebration with food, music, and games that brings the entire Grattan community together to celebrate the end of the school year.
An image showing a sunny outdoor school yard where numerous students are actively playing with balls and hula hoops. The ground is painted with large tan and reddish-brown curved patterns and white game lines. In the lower right, several rows of concrete bleacher-style steps lead down to the yard, with a few children and an adult standing nearby. The background features neighborhood houses and lush green trees of Cole Valley under a bright, clear blue sky with a prominent sun.

Field Day

Annual spring event with activities organized by the Physical Education teacher and held at the nearby park.
An image showing a large audience of elementary students and adults sitting on the floor of a high-ceilinged auditorium, watching a talent show performance. Two students are on a raised stage in front of a blue curtain, with one standing at a podium and the other performing in the center. The room features a distinctive coffered ceiling with skylights and a large colorful mural on the left wall depicting an owl and San Francisco landmarks.

Talent Show

A highlight event that encourages all students to participate and showcase their unique passions and abilities.
An image showing a person in an elaborate costume during a Spirit Week event at Grattan Elementary. The person is wearing bright neon green fuzzy pants, a red afro wig, and a green top heavily decorated with tinsel and numerous stuffed animals, while holding a sign with the number 14. In the background, other community members and students are gathered in the sunny school yard under a clear sky.

Spirit Week

A school-wide tradition where students and staff dress up according to a daily theme to celebrate school pride and community.
An image showing two elementary-aged students and an adult mentor looking closely at a handmade educational display board at Grattan's Math Night. The colorful board, titled "Pop-It Arrays," features the question "What is an array?" and uses diagrams of bubble-pop toys to illustrate multiplication concepts like $7 \times 3 = 21$. In the background, other community members are engaged at a table covered with a green cloth.

Math Night

Celebration of mathematics where students complete a "passport" of activites taught by SFUSD student teaching candidates.
An image showing a long buffet table covered with a variety of aluminum trays and colorful dishes of food during an Affinity Night at Grattan Elementary. Several adults are standing around the table, serving themselves from dishes that include rice, spring rolls, and various stews.

Affinity Nights

Community-building events—including Black/African American, AAPI, Latinx/Hispanic, Neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ nights—where families connect in celebration of their diverse identities.
An image showing a top-down view of six elementary students sitting in a circle on a vibrant green rug decorated with large leaf patterns. The students are deeply engaged in reading various books, including graphic novels and picture books, which they have likely selected during the Book Swap event. Several other books are scattered on the rug around them, and some children are resting on large, leaf-shaped floor cushions.

Book Swap

Students can exchange gently used books they've read for new-to-them books, with the goal of promoting literacy and a love for reading.
An image showing a group of students in an outdoor school yard participating in a dance or movement performance for the VAPA Showcase. Several children are raising their arms to wave long, vibrant ribbons in shades of red, yellow, and orange. The students are dressed in colorful everyday clothing

Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA)

A program where all students participate in music, dance, and visual arts lessons, culminating in an annual showcase where each grade level highlights their talents and progress.
An image showing a child's hand-drawn illustration on a white piece of paper, divided into "Good" and "Bad" sections to categorize garden creatures. On the left, under "Good For the," the drawing features a spotted ladybug next to an aphid on a leaf and a long segmented worm with "Poop!" written nearby. On the right, under "Bad," the drawing includes a large slug and a snail, with small "ha ha" speech bubbles next to them.

Gardening

Our award-winning program teaches students about environmental stewardship and healthy eating.
An image showing several elementary students participating in a Physical Education (PE) activity in an indoor gym or multipurpose room. In the foreground, a student in a dark blue quilted jacket holds a jump rope, looking toward other children who are jumping in and out of colorful hula hoops—blue, purple, orange, and yellow—laid out in a line on the tan floor. One student in a pink sweater and black skirt is captured mid-jump inside a purple hoop, while others in the background follow along with their arms

Physical Education (PE)

Students develop foundational movement skills, core strength, and social connection through structured, teacher-led play.
An image showing the Grattan Elementary courtyard during a Clap Out ceremony. A large crowd of students and staff is gathered along the upper balconies of the multi-story school courtyard. In the center of the sunny courtyard, a teacher-led taiko drumline celebrates the retiring honorees.

Clap Out

Our tradition of students and staff honoring the service of retiring educators with a teacher-led taiko drumline.
An image showing the back of a brightly colored San Francisco Public Library Bookmobile parked on a residential street in Cole Valley. The vehicle is painted yellow on the top half and purple on the bottom, with a red wavy line and blue book icons across the rear. The text "BOOKMOBILE" is printed in large red letters above "San Francisco Public Library".

Bookmobile Visit

The SFPL bookmobile brings offers students a curated selection of books and literacy programs.
An image showing a vibrant Day of the Dead altar, or ofrenda, decorated with bright orange marigolds, traditional papel picado banners, and framed photographs of loved ones. The tiered display is set up in a school hallway, featuring colorful sugar skulls and candles as part of the community-led cultural celebration.

Días de los Muertos

A vibrant, student-led altar honoring our community's loved ones and celebrating culture.
Yellow tile reading "Grattan Community Partners" in blue type with sparkle emoji in the background.

Community Partners

Interested in providing support or resources to Grattan students? Please contact our Community Coordinator, Michelle Jacques: jacquesm@sfusd.edu

Student Support

Grattan is committed to providing comprehensive support to all students. We partner with local organizations to meet the needs of our students and families.
Our Behavioral Approach

We use a combination of methodologies for discipline, including Restorative Practices, "I-Messages," and "The Grattan Way," which is: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Kind. This approach fosters a positive and inclusive school climate.

Special Education Services

Individualized education programs (IEPs), resource specialist support, and special day classrooms (PK, TK-2, 3-5). Our TK-2 and 3-5 SDC classrooms are Extensive Support Need (ESN) Clasrooms with an Autism Focus.

English Language Learner (ELL) Support

Specialized instruction and language development activities.

Counseling Services

Our school social worker provides individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and support for students and families.

Additional Support Staff

Our team includes a family liaison, instructional coach, mental health consultant, social worker, and speech pathologist.

Homework Policy

Our kindergarten team does not assign homework. We believe strongly in the value of free play and family time for students in early grades.

 

 

Assessment & Student Growth

We use a variety of assessment methods to monitor student progress and ensure academic success.

Ongoing Formative Assessments

Teachers conduct ongoing assessments through observation, classwork, and projects.

Standardized Assessments

Students participate in standardized assessments as required by the SFUSD.

Kindergarten Readiness Inventory (KRI)

A city-wide assessment we use to understand each student's unique strengths and needs. This is a starting point for their academic journey, not for benchmarks or report cards.

 

This page was last updated on May 26, 2026