Argonne Elementary School

680 18th Avenue

School District

San Francisco Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for San Francisco Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 18, 2023

We are impressed by the teachers here who focuses on children’s development beyond just test scores. They also heavily focus on the kids growth mindset and social emotional development. The family community and Parent-Teacher Organization has been amazing support. There are events organized frequently to keep families engaged and establishing a transparent environment for parents and teachers
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2023

Argonne Elementary’s extended year program has made a positive impact on our family’s experience as parents of a new Kindergartner. The extended year model has proven to be a fantastic choice, with our child benefiting from the July start and extra instructional days. The school provides a two-week Summer Session in July for Kinders and grades 1-5 have a 4 week Summer session. Having the summer session helps us feel confident that our child will be consistently engaged in learning throughout the summer, while also having breaks that align with SFUSD. Also, eliminates the need to schedule summer camps in July! We appreciate how the Parent-Teacher Organization welcomes all families as members and fosters a strong sense of pride and unity for the school. The welcoming environment and the support from the dedicated teachers and staff have truly made us feel like a valued part of the Argonne community.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2023

I currently have 2 kids at Argonne with an incoming Kindergartener in a few years. We couldn't be happier to be at Argonne. The kids are thriving and love going to school. The community is warm and inviting with really strong parent/caregiver involvement. Also, having the kids start the school year in July with summer session is great - we don't have to worry about summer camps AND they get to do so many more field trips and fun activities throughout the year.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2022

My kids love. Teachers are very helpful and sweet and so are the students. 100% would recommend over any other elementary school
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2022

My kids went to Argonne Elementary and I can confidently say we were blessed to be assigned to Argonne. All the teachers were great and they have been such an integral part of my kids’ childhood learning experience. Ms. Catingub also has been great and very energetic for all the matters for the school. The school also had a fairly large area for outdoor activities compared to other city schools so that has been pretty awesome, especially while going through the pandemic.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

We have 2 kids at the school, K & 4th, and both have thrived in Argonne's amazing, inclusive environment. The teaching staff is exceptionally strong and nurturing, and the parent community is active, engaged, and extremely supportive. Given a school community that is diverse ethically and socio-economically, Argonne goes above and beyond to be inclusive and really models the value of respect and compassion to its student body. We are happy to call this school home, and are baffled at the summary score given by this site. I have personally heard feedback from parents (who have transferred their children here from other schools that scored higher) that their experience at Argonne far exceeded their previous ones.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2016

It's the only school in the District that is in session in July. There's a strong feeling of community there, and although the District struggles to fully fund the schools to support the full complement of programs, Argonne's PTO does everything possible to raise the funds needed to ensure the kids have additional support to keep class sizes manageable, enrichment activities and programs, and additional after school enrichment options which include a variety of classes, Chinese and Russian language programs, Richmond District After School Collaborative, and the Richmond Y.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2015

We spent a ridiculous amount of time visiting schools all across the SFUSD before we applied for the lottery. We had heard good things about Argonne before our visit, and after our visit it was at the top of our list. (We were, of course, both shocked and delighted when we got a spot.) While we have to drive across the park to get there, Argonne has been everything we hoped for and then some: Our son is now a 1st grader, loves the extended school year, is flourishing in the Chinese after school program, and has been extremely happy with all his teachers and classmates. Enrichment is, well, rich, and there are fantastic programs throughout the year as a result of the support of the strong PTO.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2015

Argonne is a fantastic school with wonderful staff and teachers and a dedicated parent community. My two boys (1st and 3rd grades) have loved it at Argonne.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2014

A school is only as good as the strength of the partnership between committed, present parents, and a staff that is supported by the district, the leadership and those parents. Argonne has all of this going for it. The PTO is a large group of very talented and active parents; so many wonderful things have come to fruition as the direct result of their hard work. Our new Principal (2011-present) is a delightful chapter in Argonne's story. She is bright, cheerful, caring and so engaged. The children love her. It is surprising Argonne averages four stars, and is rated 8 of 10. Perhaps it's a reflection of the former Principal. She'd been driven out of another SF school and somehow hired at Argonne. She would have been removed if she hadn't resigned under pressure after only four months in her role as Principal. Hopefully this gives readers some perspective on the reviews in 2011.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

I have two daughters at Argonne and every morning they are happy and excited to go to school. They are both thriving academically and socially and enjoy the many benefits that come from having a Principal with great leadership skills, an amazing PTA, great teachers, a new and beautiful school, many opportunities for in and after school enrichment, an excellent after school program (rdsac), and a longer school year with many field trips built in.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

I have a 2nd grader and a kindergartner at Argonne and could not be happier. Great teachers, great parental involvement (via active PTA and otherwise), now joined by a great principal whose initial appointment last fall (2012) has been made permanent. Facilities are new and getting even better with the new playground structures and new gardens. Enrichment is solid with the PTA-raised money helping to pay for some which is beyond the district's budget. While we do miss the Russian language teaching which was offered 2 years ago, Russian and other languages and activities (science, music, etc.) are offered on site after school for a fee. Great after school care is available too through YMCA, RSDAC, Chinese after school care (all on site), and a bus which goes to the JCC (we have been happy with the Y).
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2013

Argonne is a fantastic public elementary school in the Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. We've been thrilled to have our daughter attend Argonne. It boasts a skilled a devoted team of teachers, an energetic and creative new principal and a caring and engaged parent community. Our daughter is thriving and we couldn't be happier with the school.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2013

Argonne is one of the best kept secrets in the SFUSD! As the parent of a 2nd grader and a 4th grader, I can attest to the well-balanced education my children are getting at Argonne. We have committed and wonderful teachers and support staff, a phenomenal principal, an extremely supportive parent and family community which devotes time, energy, service and financial resources to make Argonne a wonderful school for all students. The extended year calendar provides students more opportunities for enrichment activities, such as art, PE, dance, chorus, science and garden education, as well as field trips and project-based learning. We love Argonne!
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2012

My kids started kindergarten this year. I was already impressed by Argonne in the tour. Now, I am blown away by the parent involvement, dedication of PTO, teacher commitment and the new principal. My twins are in separate classes, and both teachers are excellent. The kids have tons of activities outside of the standard curriculum, such as computer lab, chorus, dance, PE, art (parent-led Art in Action), field trips, gardening, and more. The year-round schedule (four and a half weeks of instruction for grades 1-5 and two weeks for kindergartners) gives the teachers more time off during the year, which helps keep them "fresh". Because there are two, summer, kindergarten sessions, the teachers can focus on getting to know only eleven students at a time, and kindergarteners can acclimate to a new school with less chaos. One of my children is slow to adjust to change and new situations, so this time (and the added structure we will have in the future) was excellent. And, we ll still gives us plenty of time for summer vacation! Our family already feels part of an excellent community, and look forward to our years at Argonne.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

This school has the most talented, committed and caring teachers you will find anywhere. My daughter's kindergarten teacher was unflappable, experienced and nurturing. Kindergarten was everything I had hoped it would be for her. We have had excellent teachers every year. My daughter is a bright child with strong math and verbal skills. She has been challenged and engaged throughout her experience at Argonne. Teachers strive to meet her academic and social needs. This year, we have a new, charismatic, responsive, knowledgeable and effective principal. Principal Okubo builds relationships with all of the families, teachers and staff. She is one of the best principals in the district. We are lucky to have her! We have an extended school year, so we have an additional 5 weeks of instruction every summer. By the time the regular school year begins, our kids have already adjusted to their new grade level and teacher and are already meeting the academic challenges of their grade. Students do not suffer "summer learning loss." We have a welcoming and friendly parent community with a strong culture of involvement. We provide myriad volunteer opportunities that fit into any schedule.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

Wonderful things are happening at Argonne Our new principal, Ms. Okubo, has brought amazing leadership to our school. She is kind, intelligent, energetic and works well with the teachers and our parents. Most important, she loves the kids. We have bright and passionate teachers, involved parents and an extended school community committed to education. Our new garden is in bloom and serves as an outdoor classroom, our new play structure is an exciting addition for the kids. At this point we think Argonne is one of the best schools in SFUSD. If you are looking for a school in SF, come take a tour and see what is happening at Argonne.