Gateway High School, San Francisco | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Many of these reviews here appear to be fake, or written by the same disgruntled person. My kids attend Gateway, and the oldest just got accepted to Cal, UCLA, Claremont McKenna, and Swarthmore. Not a bad list. She has told me that every kid at this school LOVES the school.

It’s wonderfully diverse, truly. As in, there are rich kids, working class kids, middle class, super bright kids, challenged kids, white kids, chinese kids, latino kids, african american kids, multicultural kids, straight, gay, transitioning. In other words, the school environment looks exactly like San Francisco! That’s actually quite rare in SF public schools. It’s the goal, but it seldom happens.

The academics at Gateway are challenging and interesting, not run of the mill standardized stuff. The social atmosphere is positive, the special projects get kids working together. At other elite high schools, you see stressed out kids. They simply just don’t exist there. The faculty and administration is totally on top of things. They excel where the mainstream 555 Franklin with their red tape fails. They are totally *together* and in control. Bottom line is, every single kid I know who attends this school absolutely loves it, thinks it’s the best school they’ve ever attended, and more importantly, ends up accepted to a college that’s right for them. Many ivy league colleges, top state schools, or even more importantly again, a college that is right for them.

To be real, the top public schools in this town are well known. Gateway is the top, according to kids who go there.

Worst thing you can say about this school is, it’s laid back. But for high school kids, that’s a plus. They still have time to be kids, grow up a little, explore interests that matter, hang out with one another, plan projects–like community involvement, the arts, sports, being weird if they want, all great things.

Please don’t believe few negative reviews here. Something is up, and this site must not monitor them. One or two angry kids can wreck any comments section. Gateway may not be for everybody, but every year this school turn away more and more applicants than ever, because the word is out. Demand is getting super high, and you’re very lucky if you get a spot. Check it out.

Gateway was a fine school for my son who is now thriving at UC Davis. I wish there was more sports offered at the school. But the teachers were top notch, and the community is diverse and interesting. I only hope my daughter gets in. The lottery system is frustrating.

I have had the opportunity to volunteer teach there on two occasions and I was struck by the student engagement and the dedicated faculty. I hope my kid gets in!