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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Zion Lutheran School compares to 102 public schools serving similar grades in San Francisco, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
This School
vs
21.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
152
This School
vs
363
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 67.1% vs 0%
White 9.2% vs 0%
Black 2% vs 0%
Hispanic 2% vs 0%
Zion Lutheran School San Francisco Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 50%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 152
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)

Asian 67.1%
Two or More 19.7%
White 9.2%
Black 2.0%
Hispanic 2.0%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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