Excellent
#61 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 3% of private schools
Alta Vista School
Elementary School
450 SOMERSET ST, San Francisco, CA 94134
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 114 schools in San Francisco. Learn more
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In San Francisco
#4 of 74
public schools
California elementary schools
#34 of 1,102
About Alta Vista School
Alta Vista School serves 197 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Francisco's vibrant urban landscape. This regular public elementary school stands out with an exceptional 7.0:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 28 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each child. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #432 out of 1,790 elementary schools across California, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide.
MySchoolScout rates Alta Vista School 9.0 out of 10, reflecting strong overall performance that makes it a standout choice among San Francisco's public elementary options. Alta Vista School is situated in ZIP code 94134, a diverse neighborhood where families enjoy a median household income of $104,247. The area reflects San Francisco's characteristic blend of urban energy and family-focused community living, with median home values of $1,027,600 and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.7%.
About 29% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to an education-minded community atmosphere. Located on Somerset Street in this large city setting, Alta Vista School offers students the unique advantages of urban education while maintaining the intimate feel that comes with its small size and excellent student-teacher ratio.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 197 students, Alta Vista School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, Alta Vista School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Alta Vista School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $69,416
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $73,581
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.06x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 88%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $28.9M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 197 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Alta Vista School compares to 84 public schools serving similar grades in San Francisco, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alta Vista School (this school) | 8.2 |
| Taylor (Edward R.) Elementary | 6.0 |
| El Dorado Elementary | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary | 2.7 |
| KIPP Bayview Academy | 4.2 |
| Revere (Paul) Elementary | 4.8 |
| Drew (Charles) College Preparatory Academy | 6.7 |
| Visitacion Valley Elementary | 6.1 |
| Serra (Junipero) Elementary | 7.8 |
| KIPP Bayview Elementary | 7.8 |
| Harte (Bret) Elementary | 7.4 |
| McLaren (John) Children Centers | — |
| Cleveland Elementary | 6.3 |
| Monroe Elementary | 7.9 |
| Carver (George Washington) Elementary | 4.9 |
| San Francisco Community Alternative | 8.4 |
| Huerta (Dolores) Elementary | 8.1 |
| Flynn (Leonard R.) Elementary | 8.3 |
| Malcolm X Academy | 2.7 |
| Glen Park Elementary | 8.2 |
| Mission Education Center | 5.1 |
Showing 20 of 84 schools. View all schools in San Francisco
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
450 SOMERSET ST, San Francisco, CA 94134
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alta Vista School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GOLDEN BRIDGES SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Drew (Charles) College Preparatory Academy (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Visitacion Valley Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Francisco, see our San Francisco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94134 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,566
Median Home Value
$1,064,100
Median Rent
$1,674/mo
Population
40,142
College Educated
29.9%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alta Vista School has a median household income of $107,566. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,100, with a median rent of $1,674/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ADDA CLEVENGER SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 8.2 |
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel, CA | 8.2 |
| Albion Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Anaheim Elementary Online Academy Anaheim, CA | 8.2 |
| BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Biola-Pershing Elementary Fresno, CA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alta Vista School
What grades does Alta Vista School serve?
Alta Vista School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Alta Vista School?
Alta Vista School has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista School?
The student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista School is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Alta Vista School rank in CA?
Alta Vista School is ranked #61 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Alta Vista School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Vista School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Alta Vista School a private school?
Yes, Alta Vista School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Alta Vista School a religious school?
No, Alta Vista School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 197
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.9 hours
- Days Per Year
- 190 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- SAN FRANCISCO
- Phone
- (415) 467-3700
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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