Best Elementary Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked all 192 elementary schools in San Francisco. The top 25 scored between 8.3 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
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.
Parker (Jean) Elementary
Chin (John Yehall) Elementary
Sutro 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parker (Jean) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.5 |
| 2 | Chin (John Yehall) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.4 |
| 3 | Sutro Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.4 |
| 4 | Milk (Harvey) Civil Rights Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.3 |
| 5 | King (Thomas Starr) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.3 |
| 6 | Grattan Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 7 | Lafayette Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 8 | Webster (Daniel) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.0 |
| 9 | Cobb (William L.) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.0 |
| 10 | Lilienthal (Claire) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 9.0 |
| 11 | Yu (Alice Fong) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.9 |
| 12 | Sunset Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.9 |
| 13 | Muir (John) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.8 |
| 14 | Alamo Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 15 | West Portal Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 16 | Key (Francis Scott) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.6 |
| 17 | Lawton Alternative San Francisco Unified | 8.6 |
| 18 | New Traditions Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.6 |
| 19 | Lakeshore Alternative Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 20 | Stevenson (Robert Louis) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 21 | San Francisco Community Alternative San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 22 | Ulloa Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 23 | GOLDEN BRIDGES SCHOOL | 8.4 |
| 24 | Lau (Gordon J.) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.3 |
| 25 | Flynn (Leonard R.) Elementary San Francisco Unified | 8.3 |
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, Parker (Jean) Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in San Francisco with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.8/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.