Urban School of San Francisco

• Location: San Francisco, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1966,
• Number of students: about 420,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of instruction: mixed.

Urban School of San Francisco (Urban) is a school offering a 9-12th grade curriculum.

Urban School of San Francisco was founded in 1966 by a group of parents seeking an innovative alternative to traditional high school education. The founders believed that high school should be a joyful experience in a child's life, based on the special creative, inquisitive and idealistic energy of adolescents. They held the idea that a diverse community of teachers and students should work together in an atmosphere of trust, honesty, and mutual respect. These values continue to define the school's mission today.

Over the years, Urban School of San Francisco has grown and evolved to today have a comfortable campus, a qualified faculty of 100 subject matter experts, and the ability to educate more than 400 students. Students come here from other U.S. states and countries, bringing diversity to the school community.

Urban School of San Francisco's priority is to create a safe and comfortable environment where each student can discover talents and excel. Urban is one of the few schools in the United States to offer a four-year service-learning curriculum with an emphasis on social justice, personal and community identity development.

The education plan for students with special learning difficulties is based on the recommendations of modern doctors and diagnosticians. They are offered individualized, inclusive accommodations:

• Extended time on tests,
• Smaller test-taking group,
• Use of a basic four-function calculator during tests,
• Use of a computer during tests and lectures,
• Use of assistive technology devices and software.

Urban School of San Francisco does not have any residential buildings.

There is a cafeteria on campus that provides a varied menu of snacks, lunches, beverages and baked goods at an affordable price.

Urban School of San Francisco supports the interests of its students by providing on-campus themed clubs, athletic competitions, creative performances, and regular events designed to build a close-knit community. Over 70% of students participate in sports, which provides opportunities for beginners and more professional athletes to try a new activity, develop existing skills, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students can compete at the school, city, and state levels.

Competitive team sports represented:

• Basketball: 1st-II place finishes in BCL West, CIF tournaments,
• Cross Country: NCS and CIF qualifiers,
• Lacrosse: BCL West semifinalists,
• Soccer: BCL West champions, NCS semifinalists,
• Track and Field: NCS qualifiers,
• Volleyball: NCS champions, Regional League champions,
• Tennis: NCS qualifiers.
• National teams are made up of students of the same gender, meaning separate groups of boys and girls participate in each sport.

Some of the individual sports are:

• Yoga,
• Rock Climbing,
• Dance,
• Strength and Cardio Gym course.

Talented student athletes have the opportunity to showcase their skills on and off the school field.

However, sports are not the only area in which Urban students excel: whether it is music, theater, student government, or club leadership, students can devote their free time to their interests and hobbies, gaining experience and improving important life skills. More than 40 student clubs and associations fully reflect the versatility of the student body, covering topics such as science, performing and visual arts, politics, economics, journalism, and many others.

Student life is packed with colorful performances, dance and music recitals, all-school days and events that foster community, cohesion and enthusiasm. In addition to campus activities, the staff organizes an active program of field trips and trips abroad.

The arts are essential to the educational process. Supplemental classes in creative areas are designed to help achieve artistic awareness and technical skills. Teachers, who are professional artists and performers, teach students a variety of techniques and methods and introduce students to the interplay of art forms. Performing arts students assume responsibilities as a member of a group or ensemble, actively participating in collaborative work and performances. Visual Arts students hone both technical and conceptual skills by working in a variety of mediums and with a variety of materials.

Types of Performing Arts:

• Fundamentals of Comedy,
• Performance Lab,
• Ensemble Performance,
• Circus Techniques,
• Musical Theater Production,
• Jazz Band,
• Chamber Orchestra.

Visual Arts:

• Architectural, Graphic, Industrial Design,
• Drawing and mixed media,
• Photography,
• Sculpture,
• Video Production,
• Media Arts,
• Printmaking,
• Stone carving.

• 90% of the students are San Francisco residents, the rest are from other states and countries,
• The student-teacher ratio is 10:1, with no more than 14 children per class,
• A $4,930,000 financial endowment supports many of the school's families. In recent years, about 29% of students have benefited from financial aid,
• Urban is a member of the Bay Area Conference and the Western District League, the strongest Division V organizations in the state. Partnerships allow the school's students to excel in athletic endeavors at the city and state levels,
• Urban School of San Francisco utilizes state-of-the-art technology both in and out of the classroom, with laptops and tablets available for students to study and work independently,
• There are more than 100 qualified teachers who use an individual approach to each student,
• Inclusive method of teaching students who have difficulties or a specific medical diagnosis.

Urban School of San Francisco is located near Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. The campus has many rooms equipped with modern technology. interactive whiteboards, projectors. The classrooms are large and bright, allowing students to focus on the academic process in a suitable atmosphere. The school boasts a variety of studios, halls for concert events, student club meetings and organization of scientific seminars.

The library at Urban School of San Francisco supports the philosophy of instilling in students a lifelong passion for learning. It ensures that students acquire the research skills necessary for success in the high school program, college, and beyond. The library halls house collections of primary sources and electronic resources not easily found in local public libraries. The school boasts dozens of online databases for research in all academic fields, and the reading rooms house thousands of books, journals, movies, and other sources of useful information for the student.

Urban is a pioneer in fully integrating technology into the classroom. The highly acclaimed 1:1 laptop program, first implemented in 2000, has attracted teachers and scholars from around the world, including visitors from China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other countries. Schools across the country continue to view the 1:1 program as a successful model to emulate. All members of the Urban School of San Francisco community - students and teachers alike - are provided with state-of-the-art MacBook laptops for campus and home use, on which the software used in the program is installed. Despite the widespread adoption of tablets, iPads and other devices, Urban firmly believes that laptops remain the best technological tool for high school students to thrive and learn in a rigorous, multi-faceted learning environment.

Urban School of San Francisco's approach to technology is holistic: technology skills, multimedia design, digital literacy, and citizenship are integrated into the daily curriculum. The academic curriculum utilizes video conferencing and other means of connecting with experts and professionals from around the world. Technology at Urban is ubiquitous and seamlessly supports and enhances the program. Teacher-created video lesson libraries allow students to go back and review learning content at their own pace.

The academic year lasts from the end of August to the beginning of June during the academic months vacations, weekends in honor of national, international vacations are organized. Classes are held on weekdays during the first half of the academic year, followed by activities and student club meetings.

A sample list of additional expenses includes:

• Laptop fees,
• Books and supplies,
• Educational trips and some off-campus activities,
• Meals on campus,
• Tests and exams,
• Additional academic and extracurricular activities,
• Personal Expenses.

Step-by-step process for admission to Urban School of San Francisco:

• Submitting an online application and required documents,
• Visit the campus to meet the faculty and curriculum,
• Taking placement tests,
• Organizing your documents and starting your studies.

High school seniors, with competitive knowledge and applied skills in subject areas, continue their academic journey at colleges and universities in the United States and around the world:

• American University,
• Babson College,
• Berklee College of Music,
• Cornell University,
• New York University,
• Georgia Institute of Technology,
• Harvard University,
• Rhode Island School of Design,
• University College Dublin,
•  University of Utah and others.

Applicants seeking a degree from Urban School of San Francisco must submit the following documents:

• Official transcripts and transcripts from the last two academic years,
• Recommendations from English and math teachers, principal and academic advisor,
• Personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit.

All documents should be translated into English and certified, stamped by responsible organizations.

Future students should have a good level of spoken English for comfortable learning.

Urban is committed to maintaining the financial aid program, ensuring that education is available to qualified students regardless of their economic status. Approximately $4,930,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded to approximately 29% of students, with families receiving an average of $39,753 in aid, resulting in an average tuition of $18,893.

In addition to the school's scholarship fund, outside sources of funding are available to students:

• The Greater Futures Program,
• Finaid, a resource for information on loans, scholarships, and other forms of aid,
• Massachusetts MEFA Financial Aid Calculator,
• Cal Grants,
• Sallie Mae Loan.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision