Downtown High

Downtown High is an alternative high school located in the heart of San Francisco, California. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, it has a total enrollment of 147 students and offers a unique educational environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 29.4:1. The school prides itself on its small but dedicated faculty of five full-time equivalent teachers who strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning atmosphere.

While Downtown High currently ranks in the lower percentile among California schools, it is working hard to improve academic performance through innovative teaching methods and tailored support programs for each student. Currently, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, with no students meeting proficiency standards in Math. However, the school remains committed to fostering an environment where every student can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Downtown High is situated in a vibrant urban setting within San Francisco’s downtown area, offering students access to a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities beyond the classroom.

With an enrollment of 147 students, Downtown High 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.

While current test scores at Downtown High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Downtown High is 29.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.