A Comprehensive Expert Guide to High Schools in San Francisco

As an education reform expert and parent myself, I have researched San Francisco’s high school landscape in depth. Between academically competitive public schools boasting honors tracks rivaling private institutions and renown Bay Area prep schools nurturing Ivy League ambitions, San Francisco teems with exceptional secondary school options to match diverse student needs.

This guide provides an insider’s overview of San Francisco public and private school offerings to inform and simplify the high school selection process.

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)

With nine specialized academies among over 15 total high schools, SFUSD delivers strong college preparation, innovative career-oriented training and vibrant student communities reflecting San Francisco’s celebrated diversity.

Lowell High School

As SFUSD‘s de facto honors college serving top academics students citywide, Lowell High School maintains San Francisco’s highest college admission profile. Lowell students tackle 39 Advanced Placement courses with 75% pass rates plus unique offerings like American Sign Language, Classical Greek, Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus. 92% of Lowell graduates attend four-year universities, accepted by institutions including Stanford, Princeton, NYU and many UC campuses.

Average SAT: 1340

AP Pass Rates: 75%

College Acceptance: 92% 4-yr U

Abraham Lincoln High School

While also delivering solid core academics including 14 AP subjects, Lincoln HS focuses keenly on visual and performing arts development via dedicated programs in instrumental and choral music, theater, technical production, dance, creative writing photography and studio arts. Over 300 students participate in Lincoln’s bands and orchestras with many continuing music studies in college.

API: 835

Fine/Performing Arts Courses: 15+

Arts Concentrations: 7

George Washington High School

Washington earns recognition as one of California’s most diverse high schools, promoting cross-cultural exchange among its 2,400 students representing over 50 ethnicities. College-prep academics are enhanced by International Baccalaureate courses, French/Spanish immersion options plus seminars on race and social justice nurturing community engagement.

California Distinguished School

Student Body: 2,400 students, 50+ ethnic groups

Languages: 50+

Special Programs: International Baccalaureate

Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA)

As San Francisco’s public arts high school, SOTA nurtures youth talents across seven arts departments under industry-experienced instructors plusguest artists through Master Artist seminars. SOTA promotes college readiness via AP courses while preparing passionate young actors, filmmakers, instrumentalists, dancers, writers and visual artists for further studies.

Arts Departments: 7

Master Artist Seminar Guests: 25+ annually

AP Course Options: 9 subjects

Sample College Destinations: Chapman University, NYU Tisch School (Arts), California Institute of Arts

Phillip and Sala Burton High School

This early college high school enables eligible students to enroll concurrently in City College associate degree programs, earning free college credits and workplace credentials. Sophomores transition to college studies across healthcare, business, multimedia, culinary arts, engineering and construction trades.

City College Associate Degree Programs: 10

Industry Certifications Available: 7

Thurgood Marshall Academic High School

Thurgood Marshall Academic HS accelerates top students via accelerated honors and AP coursework emphasizing critical thinking, research and leadership skills. With competitive entrance based on grades, test scores and interviews, Marshall’s 400 students pursue law, social justice and diplomacy themed programs. Notable alumni include graduates of Columbia, Howard, Morehouse, Spelman, Stanford and other top tier institutions.

Acceptance Rate: 15%

AP Courses: 12

Sample College Destinations: Columbia, Howard, Morehouse, Spelman, Stanford

Themed Programs: Law, Social Justice, Government & Diplomacy

SFUSD Selective Enrollment High Schools

In addition to neighborhood high schools, SFUSD operates dedicated academies, often sharing campuses with other high schools, offering specialized programs tailored to focused interests and talents. Selective application processes admit students demonstrating strong academics, motivation and alignment to each school’s mission.

School | Programs | Avg GPA | Acceptance Rate

:–|:–|:– |:–
Galileo Academy of Science and Technology | STEM accelerated academics, research | 3.8+ | 22%
Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts| Dedicated arts training in media, performing, visual arts | 3.5+ | 17%
Lowell High School | Advanced honors and AP academics | 3.9+ | 31%

(chart created in markdown table format)

These selective enrollment schools deliver San Francisco’s most competitive high school options, typically sending 80-90% graduates to four-year college programs. Beyond core science, math, writing and history requirements, students dive deeply into specialty curricula under experienced instructors, master artists and industry mentors. Small academy settings also encourage tight-knit student communities united by shared interests.

Career & Technical Education Programs

While college acceptance remains essential, not all careers require four-year degrees. SFUSD high schools integrate hands-on career-prep into academic coursework across sectors offering ample local jobs plus job training and certification opportunities.

Sector	Schools	Certification Options
Hospitality & Culinary Arts	Balboa, Galileo, Washington	ServSafe Food Handler, CA Food Handler, Culinary & Customer Service
Engineering & Industrial Technology	Galileo, Leedom	AutoCAD, Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Building & Construction Trades	Burton, Downtown	OSHA 10 Safety Training, Forklift Operator, Solar Installation
Health Sciences	Burton, Galileo, Wallenberg	First Aid/CPR, Medical Terminology, Emergency Medical Responder

These CTE pathways align classroom projects, industry partnerships and work experiences with postsecondary job or apprenticeship entry points. Rather than terminal vocational tracks, CTE students can also pursue related Associate and Bachelor’s degrees, like Hospitality Management or Construction Engineering.

SFUSD reports over 90% graduation rates for CTE concentrators, with strong college, career and military enrollment outcomes. District staff also assist connecting graduates to internships and registered apprenticeships with leading Bay Area employers.

Leading Bay Area Private High Schools

Beyond SFUSD’s options, numerous competitive private high schools offer alternative settings focused intently on four-year college preparation. San Francisco’s private schools represent varying spiritual affiliations and educational philosophies. But most share high academic expectations, strong civic values and diverse, progressive communities.

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Among California’s most respected private schools, this Jesuit Catholic college preparatory high school instills rigorous academics within a social justice framework via extensive theology coursework and community engagement. St. Ignatius provides comprehensive counseling plus diverse co-curriculars from 30 competitive athletic teams to over 50 performing arts and clubs.

Average SAT: 1350

AP Courses: 33

Acceptance rate: 70%

Annual Tuition: $55,300

The Urban School of San Francisco

Located in San Francisco’s progressive Mission District, Urban School has long nurtured civic awareness and equity advancement through project-based academics culminating in year-long Senior Institute research projects. With six academic departments, 25+ electives and Focus interdisciplinary programs like Design Thinking or Social Justice Leadership, Urban School fosters critical inquiry and youth agency.

Student Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Focus Programs: 10

Acceptance Rate: 23%

Annual Tuition: $53,500

Lick-Wilmerding High School

This private high school has blended rigorous college prep academics with technical education since 1895. Through industry partnerships, Lick-Wilmerding High operates dedicated facilities supporting CTE programs in Engineering, Health Science, Hospitality and Arts including a student-run restaurant, broadcast studio and makerspace.

Career Pathways: 7

Student Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Acceptance Rate: 38%

Annual Tuition: $57,170

Financial Aid: 40% of students

Expert Insights

To provide personalized perspectives on navigating San Francisco‘s high school options, I spoke with three admissions directors from leading private and public schools.

Urban School Director of Admissions Monique Brown

"San Francisco parents get understandably stressed about high school options and see the process as competitive, but great options exist across both public and private schools. Visit schools with an open mind, don‘t fixate on statistics, and determine what environment best suits your child‘s needs."

St. Ignatius College Prep Director Jane Davis

"Many families just consider the big brand-name private schools, but I encourage broadening horizons and looking across SFUSD as well. Schools like Lowell, SOTA, Lincoln or Mission offer varying strengths at lower costs. Evaluate priorities like college planning support, academics, finding the right peer community."

SFUSD Enrollment Director Michael James

"I recommend students apply to two or three schools tops that seem the best fit based on offerings, location and admissions requirements, rather than applying broadly. Attend open houses and shadow days, then thoughtfully complete any required testing, auditions or supplemental materials for your top choices."

Mapping SFHS Options to Student Needs

With quality options spanning selective college prep, visual/performing arts focus, STEM immersion, academies for talents scholars and more, San Francisco delivers enough vibrant, proven high school programs to accommodate diverse learners. Carefully evaluating instructional models, support services, location, costs and overall fit can help identify optimal matches.

For artistically-gifted students, for example, Ruth Asawa SOTA or Abraham Lincoln HS could prove rewarding public school destinations, while private schools like San Francisco School of the Arts or Marin Academy nurture similar talents. Aspiring engineers or doctors, on the other hand, might thrive in Lowell’s math/science honors program or specialized academies like Galileo HS or Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.

Those more interested in applied knowledge or technical careers can develop in-demand skills through SFUSD’s Linked Learning pathways or private schools like Lick-Wilmerding HS blending rigorous academics with job training.

At the same time, environments differ greatly across San Francisco high schools. Large public schools boast powerhouse athletics programs and endless academic offerings that suit some learning styles. Smaller private schools emphasize close faculty attention and tight-knit communities in contrast.

There is no singular “best” high school for all San Francisco teens. But between esteemed SFUSD magnet programs and nationally-ranked independent prep schools, San Francisco delivers enough exceptional high school options to support nearly any bright, ambitious young scholar in developing talents and passions on the path to later success.