Best Elementary Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked the 129 elementary schools in San Francisco with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.5 and 9.4 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in San Francisco for 2026 are Peabody (george) Elementary (9.4/10), King (thomas Starr) Elementary (9.4/10), and Lilienthal (claire) Elementary (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 129 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in San Francisco?
Every elementary school in San Francisco is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Peabody (george) Elementary
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
King (thomas Starr) Elementary
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Lilienthal (claire) Elementary
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
San Francisco's 78 ranked elementary schools span a wide performance range, with an average composite score of 6.9/10 — but the top of the table pulls well above that mark. Parker (Jean) Elementary leads the metro at 9.5/10, followed closely by John Yehall Chin Elementary and Sutro Elementary, both at 9.4/10. Harvey Milk Civil Rights Elementary and Thomas Starr King Elementary round out the top five, each scoring 9.3/10. More than half the ranked schools — 41 out of 78 — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options are distributed across the city rather than concentrated in a single neighborhood. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics to find the schools that match your priorities. Use the filters to narrow by location or score range and zero in on the best fit for your family.
Peabody (george) Elementary
King (thomas Starr) Elementary
Lilienthal (claire) Elementary
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked San Francisco's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 129 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peabody (george) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.4 |
| 2 | King (thomas Starr) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.4 |
| 3 | Lilienthal (claire) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.4 |
| 4 | Lafayette Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.3 |
| 5 | Chinese Immersion School at Deavila San Francisco Unified | 9.3 |
| 6 | Muir (john) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 7 | Sutro Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 8 | Sunset Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 9 | Chin (john Yehall) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.1 |
| 10 | Ortega (jose) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.1 |
| 11 | Mckinley Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.1 |
| 12 | Ulloa Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.1 |
| 13 | Lawton Alternative San Francisco Unified | 9.0 |
| 14 | Yick Wo Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.9 |
| 15 | Lau (gordon J.) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.8 |
| 16 | Webster (daniel) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.8 |
| 17 | Sunnyside Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.8 |
| 18 | San Francisco Public Montessori San Francisco Unified | 8.8 |
| 19 | Sloat (commodore) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 20 | Key (francis Scott) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 21 | Miraloma Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 22 | Argonne Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.6 |
| 23 | Alamo Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 24 | Milk (harvey) Civil Rights Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 25 | Grattan Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in San Francisco
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: San Francisco's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in San Francisco
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. San Francisco's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 192 schools spanning 16 school districts, plus 5 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in San Francisco, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Peabody (george) Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in San Francisco with a composite score of 9.4/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in San Francisco, California?
San Francisco has 192 elementary schools, including 5 charter schools. Of these, 131 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in San Francisco?
The average composite score for San Francisco elementary schools is 6.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within California, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the San Francisco elementary school rankings?
Yes. San Francisco has 5 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.