Admissions

The preparation and work the faculty puts into the curriculum is evident in their daily growth of the children. This school is an incredible gift.”
— Elementary School parent

While the Preschool and Kindergarten program are our primary entry points, we add students to the Elementary group every year as spaces open up.

From young 6-year-olds to pre-teens, the students develop an ability to learn, create, and discover as The San Francisco School nurtures, guides, and sustains them throughout the Elementary years.

The San Francisco Elementary Application Process Guide
    •    Step 1: Get to know The San Francisco School
    •    Step 2: Apply for admission
    •    Step 3 & 4: Submit a teacher evaluation form & records release form
    •    Step 5: Apply for indexed tuition (if applicable)
    •    Step 6: Interviews & assessments
    •    Step 7: Admissions decisions

Getting Started

The first step is to create an account with Ravenna, a web-based application system used by many Bay Area Independent Schools. 

Once you have created the account, you will be able to schedule a Campus Visit, register for an Open House, access the required forms for the application process and see all of your application forms that have been submitted. If you already have an account with Ravenna, please use the same login information. There is no need to create another account.

**If you have limited web access or would prefer not to create an account on Ravenna.com, please contact the Admissions Office at 415.239.5065 or admissions@sfschool.org and we will do our best to accommodate your family.

Step 1: Get to know The San Francisco School

Come get to know us better! The best way to start your process is by attending a virtual information session. Information sessions for Elementary applicants take place on select Mondays from September through December. 

We know that seeing our unique campus will be an important piece to the decision-making process for many families and we are happy to offer campus tours to small groups of prospective families so they can see classrooms and our beautiful outdoor spaces.

We also offer optional Curriculum Open Houses as a complement to our daytime information sessions, which offer a deeper focus on the academic and social-emotional programs. Please keep an eye out for additional events scheduled throughout the fall and winter.

Click here to access Ravenna and sign up for Information Sessions and Open Houses.

Step 2: Apply for Admission

The deadline for fall 2025 admission for grades 1-8 is February 1, 2025. Please complete your application by this date for equal consideration. Parents/guardians must attend a tour before applying.

All applications, including form submissions, may be completed online using Ravenna - you may start the form and return to it at any time. Your application will not be received by our admission team until you press the “Submit” button.

If you do not have reliable access to the Internet, please call the school to request a paper application. We offer fee waiver codes upon request.

Click here to access Ravenna and complete your application.

Step 3: Submit a teacher evaluation form

1st-8th Grade Teacher Evaluation Form (pdf)
Submit this form to your child’s current teacher. This form should be completed and submitted directly via Ravenna or mailed, emailed, or faxed by the teacher directly to The San Francisco School before the application deadline.

Step 4: Submit Transcript

Request for Educational Records (pdf)

Please sign and submit this form to your child’s current school registrar. Your child’s current school will be responsible for mailing all transcripts, teacher reports, and any standardized test results from the past two years of schooling directly to The San Francisco School.

These documents along with the teacher evaluation form must be received before the application deadline in order for your child’s application to be considered complete.

Step 5: Apply for Indexed Tuition

The San Francisco School values diversity in all respects and is committed to the accessibility and affordability of a quality education. We strive for an economically diverse student body and offer indexed tuition to families who may need support while attending SFS. Currently, 28% of our families pay a reduced tuition as part of our indexed tuition program.

Indexed tuition applications are available in early October and can be requested during a school tour or on our website. Since the indexed tuition process may take several weeks, please complete these forms as early as possible. All necessary information is due by February 1, 2025.

Indexed tuition awards will be sent electronically along with general admission decision letters on March 20, 2025. Please visit the indexed tuition  area of our website for more detailed information about the indexed tuition program, process, and policies.

Step 6: Interviews & Assessments

Admission into First – Fifth Grade depends on spaces becoming available. Therefore, we are only able to invite a handful of families in for an interview and assessment based on the number of spots we predict will be available for the following school year. Retaining the balance and integrity of class composition is very important to us. Much of how we decide which families to bring in is based on the current class composition. Therefore, if we feel as though your family is a good fit for a specific space, we will contact you in early February for an interview and assessment. All families will receive notification by mid-February with an update on their child’s application status. Elementary applicants are invited to spend time at the school to meet their potential classmates and teachers. Parents/guardians are interviewed on the day of their child’s visit.

Step 7: Admissions decisions

Decisions will be posted electronically on Ravenna on March 20, 2025, and we require that parents/guardians enroll their children by 10:00 a.m. on March 27, 2025. 

A $1,000 non-refundable one-time enrollment fee is due at the time your child is accepted.
All applications remain active for two years. Therefore, if admission is not offered the first time around, you may reactivate your application the following year. Simply contact the admissions office in the Fall and update your existing application with any new information that will be helpful to the process (i.e., a new teacher evaluation, if applicable).

The San Francisco School values the richness of its diversity and actively seeks students from racially, socio-economically, and culturally diverse families, including lesbian, gay, and transgender families, single-parent/guardian families, adoptive and foster families.