School Visits Excellence on View

Friday, February 25
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
(Ticket Required)

What makes effective schools successful? These outstanding schools, selected because they offer sound educational programs and innovative practices that work, are opening their doors so you can see firsthand what excellent schools are ”doing right.” Sign up today! Tickets to each school are limited to 50 per school, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of each School Visit is $20. Buses will depart from the Moscone Center at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, and will return to the Moscone Center at approximately 12:30 p.m. A ticket to confirm a School Visit will be mailed to those participating in early February 2005. To register for a School Visit, complete the appropriate information included on the Convention Registration and Ticketed Events Payment Form.

Balboa High School
Principal: Patricia J. Gray
Grades: 9 – 12
900 students

Balboa High School is a college preparatory high school that enjoys a rich history and tradition that has long been an integral part of its community. All instruction is organized through small learning communities so each student is able to build powerful relationships with teachers while engaging in rigorous academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits. The school offers a wide variety of courses that allow students to explore careers such as health, computers, the arts, technology, and the law.

Back to Top

George Washington High School
Principal: Andrew Ishibashi
Grades: 9 – 12
2,400 students

George Washington High School prides itself in offering students a comprehensive education in a safe, culturally enriching environment. Of the more than 100 courses offered, 60 are honors and AP classes. Washington has a model ELL program that serves nearly 400 nonnative English speaking students. A Beacon program provides afterschool and evening enrichment programs for children and adults of all ages. In spring 2003, Newsweek magazine named Washington one of its top 500 schools in the nation.

Back to Top

Herbert Hoover Middle School
Principal: Jeannie Pon
Grades: 6 – 8
1,350 students

With a strong academic base and a tradition of excellence, Herbert Hoover Middle School addresses the needs of all its students, including ELL, special education, and English Language Immersion students. The diverse makeup of the Hoover community provides a foundation for positive development and reinforcement of the ideals of tolerance, acceptance, citizenship, scholarship, and school spirit.

Back to Top

Lowell High School
Principal: Paul Cheng
Grades: 9 – 12
2,500 students

Founded in 1856, Lowell High School is the oldest public secondary school west of the Mississippi. The school’s outstanding academic reputation is evidenced by its students’ accomplishments. In 2002, 103 graduates were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program and 92% of the 954 students who took AP exams passed them. Operating on a modified modular schedule, Lowell offers not only a variety of academic programs, but also more than 90 student clubs and 24 sports teams. A peer resource program and Reconnecting Youth Program help meet the needs of the whole student.

Back to Top

Mission High School
Principal: Kevin M. Truitt
Grades: 9 – 12
900 students

Mission High School reflects the cultural variation found within the broader San Francisco community, and takes care to instill positive social values, acceptance, and appreciation for diversity. Mission invites parents and community members to be involved in the educational process, and has an active English-Language Advisory Committee and School Site Council. The school recently was awarded funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the federal government to support its Secondary School Redesign Initiative, which ensures increased personalization for all students.

Back to Top

Presidio Middle School
Principal: Alvin Dea
Grades: 6 – 8
1,200 students

Presidio Middle School’s curriculum provides a variety of opportunities and activities to motivate student learning. In addition to a core curriculum, students may choose from a variety of electives designed to develop the whole child. The Outdoor Education Program extends learning beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in activities and school-sponsored organizations that support and promote their success. Teachers use various instructional strategies and techniques to bring out the full potential of each student.

Back to Top