Alvarado Elementary School

Our daughter is enrolled in Kindergarten at Alvarado and we feel very lucky. Alvarado is a diverse and vibrant community with teachers that are dedicated to teaching your children in engaging ways. In just a short year our daughter has grown so much. She learned to read and prospered under the guidance of her extraordinary teacher. We highly recommend anyone to Alvarado.

My child started Alvarado in the middle of 1st gr. (he's now starting 3rd) when we moved to the city and we have had a fantastic experience so far. The principal is caring thoughtful and always striving to make the school experience the best it can be for the kids. He is available to parents and displays a great attitude with the kids. The teachers are very good and deal exceptionally well with a diverse school population. What really sets Alvarado apart in my view is the parent involvement and the super-active PTA. Parents are encouraged to volunteer whether it's in the classroom (the science teacher may ask for parent volunteers to help out in the classroom 1x week) or at one of the many social events and fundraisers. Overall Alvarado is a strong school in both the English pathway and Spanish Immersion program.

It's hit-or-miss whether or not you get a decent teacher. In some grade levels it's a definite miss. The school is not well trained on how to engage students with high energy levels especially for boys who don't need academic help because they're left at their desks by themselves while the teachers focus on students who have trouble academically. Feedback is sometimes met with defensiveness and occasionally even anger. We put Alvarado at the top of our list because we heard great things about it; unfortunately we were disappointed time and time again.

My daughter was promoted from the 5th grade this past spring and I have no complaints for the 6 years she spent at Alvarado. The school has a VERY strong PTA which raised over $250k last year for great programs at Alvarado. I enjoyed not only the diversity of the school but the celebration of diversity in everyday school life. The school grounds are very nice and in a traditional San Francisco school house style except for the two bungalows out back. This school embraces progressive ideas about education and the environment. It has an awesome arts program with an in-house art teacher and afterschool clubs that add to the regular curriculum. The school has solar panels and a garden in its yards. And regular community events. I feel that my daughter was well prepared for middle school and is currently enrolled in the honors courses at her new school.

despite its position in a relatively upscale neghborhood Alvarado is one of the most genuinely diverse schools in the city. And more crucially its very active PTA believes that it is most important to provide help for those students at the bottom of the achievement curve particularly english learners.

Lovely sunny setting. Open accepting environment. Very involved parents. Bilingual education that puts my child in a position to succeed in the world.

Alvarado has a marvelous group of talented committed and caring teachers who work well together.

Parents teachers are working together for our alvarado elementary school

Great Spanish Immersion Program and overall fantastic teachers. Very dedicated parent involvement with a diverse student body. Principle is progressive and sets a great tone for the school.

Love the teachers principal and parents; they are a very dedicated community!

A wonderful teachers community principal - overall great education!

The parents and teachers make it work with the extra effort we all put in.

Active PTA. Engaged Teachers. Caring Principal.

The best public school in the city I know of. Would not trade it in for a 'fancy' private school.

Alvarado emphasizes so many great things -- the arts healthy kids diversity and understanding science and being as green as can be.Parents are integrally involved and it is an amazing community.

The dedication of the staff and the very involved parents help make this a great school.

Alvarado is a great inclusive place - excellent staff and community. great art programs and afterschool programs (GLO and Excel).

Alvarado Elementary School is a vibrant exceptional K-5 elementary school that boasts award-winning General Education and Dual Immersion programs.

The Principle and teachers are very dedicated at Alvarado. The PTA is also fully dedicated to the children and staff. These are the two things that make this school a great place for my children. Beautiful gardens and outdoor classroom(s) and lots of space to play.

Excellent teachers who motivate kids in exciting and innovative ways..