Private School in San Francisco Bay Area

The Bay School of San Francisco:
Founded in 2004 the Bay School of San Francisco is a private coeducational college preparatory high school in the Presidio, San Francisco for grades 9-12. The Bay School's college preparatory program is designed to challenge, inspire, and enlighten, emphasizing science, technology, ethics and world religions; areas of understanding that are fundamental in preparing students for their futures at demanding colleges, and as engaged citizens of an interrelated global society. At the Bay School, learning means using knowledge to make connections between students and teachers, between the school community, between the past and the future. The Bay School of San Francisco admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, or handicap to all programs, and activities of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin.

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* A coeducational student body of 240 students
* A faculty of 30 full-time equivalent teachers
* Average class size of 14 students
* Full program of athletics, the arts, and service learning
* Diverse faculty and student body
* Minimum graduation requirements that exceed University of California standards
* Challenging college preparatory curriculum with special emphasis on science/technology, ethics/spirituality, and diversity/community

* To offer an imaginative, engaging, and demanding college preparatory curriculum taught by master teachers who model the school's values
* To emphasize the centrality of studying science, technology, ethics, world religions, and cultures in the 21st century
* To combine academic excellence with a strong community focus
* To encourage compassion, confidence, and intellectual curiosity
* To build a diverse community of trust, resourcefulness, affection, and good humor

The Bay School is committed to helping the whole person develop in the intellectual, aesthetic, physical, social, and spiritual domains.

Values that we model and encourage include:

* Love of learning
* Willingness to grow and inquire
* Rigor and discipline in mastering detail
* Accurate and elegant communication in more than one medium and language
* Fearless and thoughtful approach to contemporary and future world problems
* Careful stewardship of time
* Confidence in addressing complex, multifaceted issues
* Understanding and tolerance of diverse religious and cultural traditions
* Sense of kindly community within the student body and a respect for individuals and differing points of view

The Bay School faculty is the rich soil from which our new school is growing. In addition to having extensive knowledge and skill related to their specific areas of expertise, our teachers possess a deep understanding of individual learning styles and are flexible in adapting their teaching methods to engage each student. They have extensive instructional experience at the high school level, and many have taught at the university level as well.

Bay School teachers are a diverse group of educators—all of whom possess a genuine interest in and affection for teenage students. They are also lifelong learners—committed to reinvention and inspired by the challenge of exploring the complex issues and questions surrounding science and technology, culture, and religion in the modern world.

Upper School Program for grades 9-12; Advanced Placement Program; Athletics Program. Curricular focus on the interrelationship between science, technology, ethics, and world religions prepares our students to meet the challenges of their future in the 21st century world.

Attention to the personal growth and maturity of each student at the Bay School is a central element of the school's mission. As such, consideration of ethical and spiritual issues is fundamental and intertwined throughout everyday life at school on many different levels. It is our hope that every Bay School student will graduate possessing the tools to habitually examine life choices from an ethical perspective, constantly refining his or her conscience as life experience grows. Equally, as our students address the fundamental questions of adolescence and individuation, “Who Am I?” we intend that they gain experience and strength in their spiritual lives, as well as the academic.

Enthusiasm runs high for clubs and extra-curricular activities at Bay. A majority of students participate in one or more club organizations, which include school community-focused groups such as the student council, social events club, and yearbook committee; arts and musical groups, involving instrumental and dance performance; the Outing Club, which sponsors outdoor adventures and wilderness training; and clubs that support student interests, such as engineering, fantasy gaming, and journalism.

Club meeting times are scheduled during the academic day each week. In addition, the groups may meet in the evenings and on weekends. Each club is supported by a member of the faculty or administration who serves as an advisor/mentor. Clubs are organized and run by their student members. Students are encouraged to propose ideas and build support for new clubs; thus the selection of clubs varies from one academic year to the next.

Clubs & Activities include:
Bay School Student Council
Social Events Club
Yearbook Committee
Outing Club
Community Service Club
Engineering, ROV Club
Jazz Ensemble
A Capella Group
Dance Group
Literary Magazine
Eco Club

The Bay School Senior Projects and Field-Based Learning Program offers a meaningful opportunity for every senior at the Bay School to pursue his and her personal and academic interests inside and outside of the classroom with the close guidance of an experienced mentor. The field work outside of the classroom may have many forms such as internships, future career experiences, or working with mentors who provide expertise and resources related to something that the student would like to accomplish or create. The time associated with these field-based experiences is a minimum of 65 hours for each student and is considered an integral part of the education of all students at Bay. Senior projects can be scheduled during regular school hours, outside of regular school hours, or even during the summer between the junior and senior year based upon each student’s schedule, desire, and opportunities.