Middle School

 I see graduates from many local middle schools. The San Francisco School graduates stand out as intellectually curious, able to make connections across disciplines, are confident public speakers and, above all, seem very much themselves. SFS graduates are accomplished but are still very fresh and real.”
— Faculty/Administrator at a Bay Area Independent School

At The San Francisco School, we are confident that our students graduate as passionate learners who practice mutual respect, embrace diversity, and promote equity and justice for all. The transition to high school can seem overwhelming, particularly here in San Francisco, but with the partnership between the Upper School Head, 8th Grade families, and the SFS Middle School team, our graduates enthusiastically enroll at high schools across San Francisco, the greater Bay Area, and beyond. SFS looks at this transition as a process - and if we do this process well, our graduates have a better understanding of themselves as learners and can identify learning environments where they will thrive.

Our work together for the high school transition process begins in the spring of 7th Grade. We hold a preliminary information night for parenting adults only, with a panel of current 8th Grade parenting adults sharing about their recent experiences as a highlight of the evening. During the summer, Head of Middle School or the High School Guidance Counselor hold individual meetings with the parents/guardians of each rising 8th Grader to begin formally the discussion about the high school transition process. The process then officially begins in the opening weeks of school, with an overview meeting and a Q&A session with SFS alumni representing public, private, and parochial school experiences.  

The fall of 8th Grade will include shadow visits, open houses, and for many, testing. Our 8th Graders take a seminar class that focuses on interview skills, SSAT prep (using Test Innovators), essay writing, application timelines, class discussions about shadow visits, and how to make informed decisions in the spring. We strongly suggest our families consider the full range of high schools: public, charter, parochial, and independent day schools, as well as boarding schools. At SFS, we work closely with families to ensure that our students enroll at the school where they will thrive. Our alumni arrive at high school prepared, enthusiastic, and ready to take on new challenges.

SFS Alumni currently attend the following high schools:

Independent	Parochial	Public / Charter	Marin / East Bay /  South Bay / Peninsula	Boarding
Bay School  Drew School  International  Lick-Wilmerding  Sterne  University  Urban  Waldorf	Archbishop    Riordan  Convent  Jewish Community  Sacred Heart  St. Ignatius	Gateway  George Washington  Lowell  Mission  SOTA	Berkeley  Design Tech  Los Altos  Head Royce  Marin Academy	McCallie School