Primary, secondary education in San Francisco, California 2024

San Francisco is a great place to study abroad: you will see the USA from a new perspective. Regardless of how long your study in San Francisco takes - a month or two or an entire academic year - you will get an invaluable interesting experience. The city of San Francisco, or as the locals call it, the Pearl of the West Coast, is a beautiful and dynamic city in northern California. Study and live in the heart of the metropolis, where, along with many international students, you can fulfill your dream of exploring San Francisco.

Study in San Francisco: main features

Immediately after elementary school, children go to secondary school, where they study until the age of 14-15. The main difference is that one teacher is assigned to one subject. There are items that children must choose on their own. Such disciplines include foreign languages, arts. In secondary school, students are divided and sorted into classes: the most successful fall into the upper classes, the unsuccessful ones go to the lower ones. Depending on the level of the class, the complexity of the educational process also varies.

There are over 90,000 public and 30,000 private high schools in the United States. Americans themselves certainly prefer private secondary schools. In the US, there is a large selection of private schools: boys' schools, girls' schools, religious schools, military schools. The main task of private schools is to prepare students for admission to prestigious universities.

Unlike European private high schools (for example: Great Britain or Switzerland), only a few private high schools in San Francisco offer "full board": accommodation and meals on school grounds. Most often, accommodation is offered in an American family.

Secondary schools in San Francisco are famous for their individual approach to each student, respect for him as an individual, friendly attitude of teachers to students (a teacher is primarily an ally, friend, mentor), as well as an emphasis on independence and independence of thought, a practice-oriented approach and Much attention is paid to sports and the health of students.

In secondary school (grades 6-8), students are required to study subjects such as mathematics, English, science, social sciences and physical education. Students choose one or two subjects themselves, usually foreign languages, technology and art.

In high school (grades 9-12), students choose their subjects more freely. Typical minimum requirements for graduation are: 1 year each of chemistry, biology and physics; 3 years of studying mathematics; 4 years of studying literature; 2-4 years of studying the history and government of the United States; 1-2 years of physical education.

The rest of the subjects are chosen by the students themselves. The set of subjects depends on the preference of the student and the financial capabilities of the school.

At the end of high school, students take final exams - this is SAT I or SAT II. Levels I and II differ in focus and complexity. The first level of the SAT is taken by students who plan to enter a college or an intermediate-level university in the future, while the second level makes it possible to enter the country's most prestigious universities. After successfully passing the final exam, students are issued a diploma of complete secondary education.

Grades in schools in San Francisco: A/B/C/D/F, where A is the best grade, F is unsatisfactory, and D can be considered pass or fail depending on the circumstances. All marks, except F, may be prefixed with "+" or "-".

Extracurricular activities

The goal of the secondary education system in San Francisco is to educate a versatile personality with an active life position. Therefore, in American schools, much attention is paid to extracurricular activities of the student.

Children spend a lot of time in an educational institution - and the point here is not at all the number of lessons.

The guys are actively involved in sports. Each high school student in San Francisco chooses the most interesting sport for him and goes in for it quite professionally. Fortunately, the technical equipment of educational institutions (gymnastics halls, courts, football and basketball fields) allows for training at the highest level.

In addition to sports, many interest clubs usually work on the basis of an American school: someone plays in the theater, another visits a debate club, and a third studies the basics of painting.

But homework in schools in San Francisco is given a little. At the same time, often, its implementation also requires the child to be present at school - the guys prepare reports and work on creative projects, sitting in the school library.

Main reasons to get secondary education in San Francisco

As a student who has chosen study in San Francisco, you will get the opportunity to make the most of this beautiful city. Enjoy a ride on the famous vintage trams, a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge or catch a boat to Alcatraz Island. Moreover, you will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the English language and get to know San Francisco. You will meet foreign students who come to learn English from all over the world, and you will also be able to make friends among the locals.

Simon Kizhner

Regional Admissions representative, EMEA

What advice do you have for applicants to American schools and why?

Take the time to study schools: seek information yourself and trust your educational agents, their experience and knowledge. Focus on those schools that fit your specific goals.

Ask questions! Attend job interviews, school trips, connect with staff and admissions.

Prepare well for exams - SSAT, ISEE or TOEFL - learn the rules for writing essays.

And, of course, discuss with your family the financial possibilities, the conditions of each school.

Go for it!