Average
#625 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 35% of private schools
Zion Lutheran School
Elementary School
495 9TH AVE, San Francisco, CA 94118
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 114 schools in San Francisco. Learn more
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In San Francisco
#39 of 74
public schools
California elementary schools
#347 of 1,102
About Zion Lutheran School
Zion Lutheran School serves 152 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in San Francisco's affluent Richmond District. This elementary school maintains an impressive 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 14 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and smaller class sizes that many families value. The school has earned recognition as one of California's top-performing elementary schools, ranking #130 out of 1,790 schools statewide and earning a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout.
This places Zion Lutheran in the 93rd percentile among California elementary schools, reflecting strong academic achievement. Located at 495 9th Avenue, the school sits in the heart of the Richmond District, known for its diverse community and proximity to Golden Gate Park. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 94118 is highly educated, with 72% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a median household income of $157,143.
The area's low poverty rate of 6.6% contributes to a stable community environment. The Richmond District offers families a blend of urban amenities and residential charm, with easy access to parks, cultural institutions, and the broader San Francisco Bay Area, making it an attractive location for families seeking quality education in a vibrant city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 152 students, Zion Lutheran 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.
As a private school, Zion Lutheran 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Zion Lutheran School compares to 102 public schools serving similar grades in San Francisco, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Zion Lutheran School (this school) | 6.7 |
| McCoppin (Frank) Elementary | 7.4 |
| Peabody (George) Elementary | 7.5 |
| Sutro Elementary | 9.4 |
| Roosevelt Middle | 7.8 |
| Argonne Elementary | 6.4 |
| Alamo Elementary | 8.7 |
| New Traditions Elementary | 8.6 |
| Presidio Middle | 6.4 |
| Jefferson Elementary | 5.1 |
| Yu (Alice Fong) Elementary | 8.9 |
| Grattan Elementary | 9.2 |
| Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila | 7.9 |
| Lafayette Elementary | 9.2 |
| Cobb (William L.) Elementary | 9.0 |
| KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy | 6.3 |
| Gateway Middle | 6.1 |
| Creative Arts Charter | 4.3 |
| Clarendon Alternative Elementary | 8.1 |
| Lawton Alternative | 8.6 |
| McKinley Elementary | 7.6 |
Showing 20 of 102 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
495 9TH AVE, San Francisco, CA 94118
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sutro Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alamo Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Traditions Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Francisco, see our San Francisco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BRIGHTWORKS San Francisco | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS SCHOOL San Francisco | 0.2 mi | — |
| Nativity HS San Francisco | 0.2 mi | — |
| McCoppin (Frank) Elementary San Francisco | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Peabody (George) Elementary San Francisco | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Sutro Elementary San Francisco | 0.4 mi | 9.4 |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL San Francisco | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLHOUSE San Francisco | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Roosevelt Middle San Francisco | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Argonne Elementary San Francisco | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PRESIDIO HILL SCHOOL San Francisco | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Presidio Hill School San Francisco | 0.9 mi | — |
| Alamo Elementary San Francisco | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| ST ANNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Francisco | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Independence High San Francisco | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SAN FRANCISCO HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| San Francisco High School of the Arts San Francisco | 1.0 mi | — |
| WOODSIDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL San Francisco | 1.2 mi | — |
| New Traditions Elementary San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy San Francisco | 1.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94118 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$159,550
Median Home Value
$1,817,200
Median Rent
$2,695/mo
Population
39,275
College Educated
72.2%
Homeownership
36.3%
Avg Commute
32.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion Lutheran School has a median household income of $159,550. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,817,200, with a median rent of $2,695/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Antioch Charter Academy II Antioch, CA | 6.7 |
| BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 6.7 |
| BUNDY CANYON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wildomar, CA | 6.7 |
| Benjamin Foxen Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 6.7 |
| Beresford Elementary San Mateo, CA | 6.7 |
| CITY TREE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Diego, CA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion Lutheran School
What grades does Zion Lutheran School serve?
Zion Lutheran School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Zion Lutheran School?
Zion Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Zion Lutheran School rank in CA?
Zion Lutheran School is ranked #625 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Zion Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Zion Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Zion Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Zion Lutheran School a religious school?
Zion Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,559/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Francisco). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 152
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- SAN FRANCISCO
- Phone
- (415) 221-7500
- 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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.