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Let’s Get Ready for High School Applications!

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Presented by: Jessica Alfaro, Head Counselor

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DESIRED OUTCOMES

  • As a result of this event families will:
  • Increase understanding of the HS application process.
  • Think critically about what to consider when applying to HS.
  • Deepen knowledge about how to access HS related information moving forward.
  • Build community and support one another.

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Questions

  • Please enter questions in the chat. Ms. Kyra, Counseling Intern, will be compiling questions.

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  • We will answer questions at the end.

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  • All slides will be sent out on Parent Square

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What’s The Best School?

  • The best school is one that will offer a program that will help you child be successful based on your interests and needs!

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How Can You Help Your Child?

  • 7th Grade is the year to…
    • 1) Research schools online
    • 2) Attend open houses and high school fairs
    • 3) Decide which schools you are interested in applying to
  • 8th Grade is the year to….
    • 1) If you haven’t already gone to open houses and school fairs, please attend!
    • 2) Schedule shadow visits
    • 3) Apply for schools on time!

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  • Most Importantly, help reduce their stress and remind them that everyone will get into High School!

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�What are you looking for in a high school? �

  • Academics
  • Clubs
  • Sports
  • Activities
  • Co-Ed
  • Class Size
  • Location
  • Teachers
  • Arts
  • Languages

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Factors to Consider

  • School Size
  • Transportation/Location
  • Programs - Academic & Beyond!
  • Pathways
  • Cost

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Types of High Schools

  • Public
  • Charter
  • Private
    • Independent 
    • Parochial

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SFUSD Public Schools

  • Free
  • No admissions test required
  • Lottery
      • Galileo
      • Lincoln
      • O’Connell
      • Mission
      • Balboa
      • Independence
      • June Jordan (will merge with and move to O’Connell)
      • Phillip Burton
      • SOTA
      • Washington
      • Wallenberg
      • The Academy (will merge with and move to Wallenberg)
      • Thurgood Marshall

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Changes to SFUSD Application Process

  • SFUSD Eliminated Round 2, if you do not receive a school on your list or receive a low ranked school, you will be added to a waiting list for those schools. For example if you are offered your #5 school, you will be added to the waitlist for schools that you listed 1-4 (not including Lowell and SOTA).
  • In March, you will be able to see where you fall on the waitlist in Synergy.
  • You will also be able to make changes, add/delete, schools that you are on the waitlist for through Synergy.

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SFUSD Deadlines

School tour sign ups will open at on October 1.

Tours

SFUSD Enrollment Fair- Sat, October 19th IN PERSON at Balboa HS

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View Website for More Info

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Fair

Enrollment Key Dates for 2025-26

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10/18/24: Application Opens

12/13/24: SOTA & Lowell Applications Due

1/31/25: Main Round Deadline

2/1/25: Waitlist Opens

3/17/25: Main Round assignment letters

DAtes & Application

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Lowell Change

  • WInter STAR assessment will be utilized for Lowell instead of SBAC.

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  • The STAR assessment will be administered the last week of January.

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Key Dates

Lowell and SOTA Submission

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  • Online application opens October 18, 2024, paper apps available October 21, 2024
  • Lowell 9th Grade Applications must be submitted together with an SFUSD Enrollment Application by Friday, December 13, 2024.
  • Applicants will be mailed a letter on March 14, 2025 notifying them of the student’s school assignment. Letters will also be uploaded to ParentVue.
  • Parents/legal guardians must respond to the assignment offer by April 5, 2024 by following specific Lowell acceptance instructions detailed in the approval letter.

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SOTA and Lowell Tours

  • SOTA
    • Tour: 10/23, 11/20 1:20-3:30 @ Main Theater
    • No sign-ups required
    • Parents/guardians welcome
    • Auditions scheduled on 2/8/25
    • Students will find out about SOTA acceptance through SFUSD enrollment letters.  

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  • LOWELL
    • October and November tours are full. December tour dates will be added at 8am on 11/1.

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Public Charter Schools

  • Free
  • No Admissions Test Required
  • Admissions Based on Lottery (Each school holds their own lottery)
    • City Art and Leadership
    • Gateway
    • KIPP

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Private Parochial Schools

  • Tuition Charged
  • Admissions Test Required (HSPT)
  • Admissions Based on Grades and Test Scores
    • Mercy Burlingame (girls)
    • ICA (girls)
    • Riordan (Co-Ed)
    • Convent of the Sacred Heart (girls)
    • Stewart Hall (Boys)
    • Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (Co-Ed)
    • Saint Ignatius (Co-Ed)

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Private Independent Schools

  • Tuition Charged
  • Admissions Based on Grades and Test Scores
  • No Admissions Test / Test Blind
    • Drew
    • International
    • Waldorf
    • Lick Wilmerding
    • University
    • Urban
    • The Bay School

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Shadow Visits

  • Students are asked to return to school after a half day shadow.
  • Students are responsible for making up all missed work while shadowing.
  • All absences due to shadowing are considered Excused Absences.

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Letters of Recommendation

  • When you apply for private schools, they will send us an email requesting recommendations.

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  • Counselor Recommendation Completed by Mrs. Alfaro alfaroj1@sfusd.edu

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  • Math Recommendations Completed by Ms. Penny Penny Loftesness loftesnessp@sfusd.edu

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  • Language Arts Recommendations Completed by Ms. Rumberg rumburglopezk@sfusd.edu

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Questions?