2025 Best San Francisco Public High Schools: Top 10 Recommendations & Enrollment Guide

In the heart of the world’s innovation hub, choosing the right public high school in San Francisco is a critical milestone for any family. With the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) managing a diverse array of institutions—ranging from merit-based academic powerhouses to specialized arts academies—navigating the selection process in 2025 requires up-to-date data and strategic insight.

Whether you are a long-time resident of the Richmond District or a newcomer to the Mission, this guide provides a deep-dive analysis of the Top 10 public high schools in San Francisco for the 2025-2026 academic year, highlighting their unique programs, neighborhood contexts, and admission requirements.

🏗️ Understanding the SFUSD Landscape in 2025

Before diving into individual schools, it is essential to understand that San Francisco does not follow a simple "neighborhood school" model for high schools. Instead, it utilizes a Choice System.

1. Selective Admission: Lowell High School uses a merit-based system (grades and test scores).

2. Portfolio/Audition Schools: Ruth Asawa SOTA requires a talent demonstration.

3. Lottery System: For all other schools, students list their preferences, and assignments are made based on a lottery with specific "tie-breakers" (e.g., siblings, CTIP1 census tracts).

🏆 Deep Dive: Top 10 San Francisco Public High Schools

1. Lowell High School —— The Academic Gold Standard

• Location: 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132 (Lakeside/Lake Merced)

• Keywords: Merit-based, High Competition, 30+ AP Courses

In-Depth Profile: Lowell remains the crown jewel of San Francisco public education. Consistently ranked among the top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, it functions more like a small college than a traditional high school.

• Curriculum: Students can choose from a massive catalog of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The math and science departments are particularly rigorous.

• Admission for 2025: Following the 2022 board decision, Lowell has returned to merit-based admissions. For 2025, applicants must submit 7th and 8th-grade marks and participate in the Star Assessment.

• Culture: The "Cardinal" spirit is defined by high achievement. It is best suited for self-motivated students who thrive in competitive environments.

2. Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) —— A Creative Powerhouse

• Location: 555 Portola Dr, San Francisco, CA 94131 (Midtown Terrace)

• Keywords: Arts Specialization, Audition-only, Dual Track

In-Depth Profile: Named after the legendary sculptor Ruth Asawa, this school provides a pre-professional arts conservatory experience alongside a full college-prep academic curriculum.

• Disciplines: Includes Architecture & Design, Creative Writing, Dance, Media Arts, and more.

• Audition Process: For the 2025-26 cycle, students must undergo a rigorous audition process in early 2025. Admissions are based on artistic talent rather than the lottery.

• Academic Rigor: Students spend half their day in academic classes and the other half in their art "major," requiring high levels of discipline.

3. Abraham Lincoln High School —— Comprehensive Excellence in the Sunset

• Location: 2162 24th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116 (Sunset District)

• Keywords: Strong Community, Biotechnology, Athletics

In-Depth Profile: Lincoln is the heartbeat of the Sunset District and a favorite for families seeking a balanced, traditional high school experience.

• Flagship Program: Their Biotechnology Pathway is exceptional, offering students hands-on lab experience that mirrors professional industry standards.

• Extracurriculars: Lincoln boasts some of the city's most successful athletic teams and a vibrant club scene.

• Why Lincoln? It offers a diverse, inclusive environment with a strong academic backbone, making it a safe and productive choice for a wide range of students.

4. George Washington High School —— Global Perspectives with a View

• Location: 600 32nd Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121 (Richmond District)

• Keywords: IB Diploma Program, Golden Gate Views, Diversity

In-Depth Profile:

Sitting on a hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, George Washington ("Washington") is as famous for its vistas as it is for its academics.

• International Baccalaureate (IB): Washington is one of the few SFUSD schools offering the prestigious IB Diploma Program. This is an excellent alternative to AP for students who prefer an inquiry-based, global approach to learning.

• Campus Life: The school has a strong tradition in performing arts and a highly competitive basketball program.

• GEO Context: Located in the Richmond District, it is conveniently located near Geary Blvd, providing easy transit for students coming from across the city.

5. The Academy - San Francisco @ McAteer —— Personalized Support

• Location: 555 Portola Dr, San Francisco, CA 94131

• Keywords: Small School, Teacher Support, College Prep

In-Depth Profile:

For students who might get lost in the shuffle of a 2,500-student campus, The Academy offers a boutique experience.

• Philosophy: Small class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized attention. The school focuses heavily on preparing students for the transition to four-year universities through its "Academy" structure.

• Best For: Students who benefit from a close-knit community and high levels of faculty engagement.

6. Balboa High School —— Career-Ready Education

• Location: 1000 Cayuga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112 (Excelsior)

• Keywords: Law Academy, Social Justice, Strong Mentorship

In-Depth Profile:

Balboa ("Bal") is a pioneer in the Career Technical Education (CTE) model.

• Pathways: Their Law and Social Justice Academy and Health Science Academy are designed to give students a head start on their professional lives.

• Recognition: The school has received accolades for its "Whole Child" approach, integrating wellness and mental health support into the daily schedule.

7. Galileo Academy of Science and Technology —— The STEM Innovator

• Location: 1150 Francisco St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (Marina/North Beach)

• Keywords: Coding, Engineering, Historic Campus

In-Depth Profile:

Galileo combines a historic building with a future-facing curriculum.

• STEM Focus: If your child is interested in computer science, robotics, or engineering, Galileo’s pathways are tailored for them.

• Proximity: Its location near the tech hubs of the city allows for unique guest speaker opportunities and field trips to local startups.

8. John O’Connell High School —— The Maker’s Choice

• Location: 2355 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (Mission)

• Keywords: Project-Based Learning, Construction, Culinary Arts

In-Depth Profile:

O’Connell is the premier choice for students who "learn by doing."

• Pedagogy: The school utilizes Project-Based Learning (PBL), where students master core subjects by working on real-world problems.

• Facilities: State-of-the-art workshops for automotive technology, construction, and environmental science.

9. Thurgood Marshall Academic High School —— Focused University Prep

• Location: 45 Conkling St, San Francisco, CA 94124 (Bayview)

• Keywords: Rigorous Academics, AVID, Leadership

In-Depth Profile:

Named after the first African American Supreme Court Justice, this school is dedicated to social mobility through education.

• Academic Focus: The curriculum is strictly college-preparatory. The school’s AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is one of the most successful in the district.

• Culture: A disciplined but supportive environment that pushes students to aim for top-tier universities.

10. Mission High School —— Social Justice & Urban Vitality

• Location: 3750 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (Mission/Dolores Park)

• Keywords: Progressive Education, Community Involvement, Athletics

In-Depth Profile:

As the oldest high school in the city, Mission High is a landmark of educational reform.

• Success Stories: In recent years, Mission has gained national attention for its remarkable increase in college acceptance rates among first-generation students.

• Community: The school is deeply integrated with the Mission District’s culture, fostering a sense of social responsibility in its students.

📅 Key Dates for the 2025-2026 Application Cycle

As of late 2025, the application window for the next academic year is active. Mark your calendars:

• October 2025: SFUSD Main Round application opens on ParentVUE.

• December 12, 2025: Deadline for Lowell High School applications.

• January 30, 2026: Deadline for the Main Round (the most important deadline for all other high schools).

• March 16, 2026: Assignment letters are mailed and posted online.

📈 Comparison of Top 5 SF Schools

✍️ Strategy for Parents: Making the Right Choice

1. Understand "Tie-Breakers": In the lottery schools, proximity alone isn't enough. Check if you live in a CTIP1 area, which provides top priority for high-demand schools like Lincoln or Washington.

2. Visit Open Houses: Every school has a different "vibe." A school might look great on paper but feel overwhelming to your child. The 2025 fall semester is the time to visit campuses.

3. Evaluate AP vs. IB: If your child is a strong writer and enjoys deep research, George Washington’s IB program might be a better fit than the high-pressure AP culture at Lowell.

4. Special Education & ELL: SFUSD offers varied support levels. Schools like Mission and Galileo are highly regarded for their support of English Language Learners and diverse learning needs.

Navigating 2025 with Confidence

San Francisco’s public high schools are a microcosm of the city itself: diverse, innovative, and challenging. By focusing on your child's specific interests—whether they are a future coder, an aspiring cellist, or a community leader—you can leverage the SFUSD system to find a school that feels like home.