Step 1. Research Your Options and Prepare for the Process (April-August)

Take the time now and over the summer to learn about the public, independent (private), parochial, and charter school options in San Francisco and the Bay Area. 

If you plan to apply to independent schools sign up on Ravenna. On Ravenna you will sign up for high school open  houses, shadow, events and also submit all application materials. 

This spring and summer, check out the websites of Bay Area High Schools. Most of the high school websites have  comprehensive and prominently-displayed admission sections that answer many questions about the school. 

This page lists the websites for many San Francisco and Bay Area independent and parochial schools. Create your family organizational system. You will need a way to keep track of all the dates and details involved with this process. Many families have found that a Google doc or sheet works well, as it can be accessed from anywhere. Here is a sample format that you can use. Some families also use a shared Google calendar or a combination of the student’s planner and a wall calendar. 

Make note of the dates when schools begin accepting online inquiries and scheduling visits and open houses, and return to the websites as soon as online inquiries and admission schedules open. Many schools open up online inquiries, registration for open houses, shadow days, and other admission events in mid to late August. Some events fill up very quickly, so it is important to sign up as early as possible. 

The Bay Area Parochial Schools do not use Ravenna, please check the websites for their application calendars. The San Francisco Unified School District’s website is www.sfusd.edu. Several public schools, such as the School of the  Arts (SOTA), Gateway, and Leadership, have special admission procedures. Make sure you know about them (we  can help with this information).  

If boarding school interests your family, you should visit the website of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)  at https://www.boardingschools.com. When you are thinking about best fit High Schools: 

Think about the best-fit school for your child, and look for schools that speak to their interests and learning styles. Do they thrive in a hands-on learning environment? Do they prefer a small or large school? Are athletics the center of their world? Do they like working with a team or do they prefer to work independently? Consider attending sporting,  artistic, or summer camp events at the schools you may be interested in attending. 

Consider what your family can afford for tuition. Many independent high school tuitions now exceed $50,000 a year in the Bay Area; in parochial schools, that are supported by the archdiocese, school tuition, while less, is still substantial. While independent and faith-based high schools do have financial aid available, it has been our experience over the past few years that the high school awards can sometimes be less robust than families would like. 

Consider location/transportation realities. Some families, particularly those with two or more children, may prefer schools closer to home. Other families are willing to look anywhere in the city or even outside the city at high schools such as The Nueva School on the Peninsula or Marin Academy in San Rafael.