Drew School

2901 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 12, 2025

Excellence is the first word. Teaching, student engagement, college preparation, college placement and expanding sports teams. It has all of the clubs and activities of a large school without the anonymity. This school gets my teenager. It nurtures and challenges him intellectually. Peers of his in ivies and larger universities report back that they are well prepared for college.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2023

If you are looking for a high school that values joy, academic engagement, balance, and community, look no further than Drew. The teachers are phenomenal and go out of their way to know, love, and encourage students to reach their highest potential. The academic program is inspiring, and classes are small, close knit communities. The art program in particular is the very best high school art program in the Bay Area. We did our research when exploring high schools. School culture and student joy matter to us. Academic and extracurricular program are also important, and we focused on schools that engaged students without burning them out. Our child was admitted to several schools and was thrilled to choose Drew. We have never looked back.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2022

I’ve enjoyed seeing my daughter enjoy her Freshman year at Drew. She is enjoying her classes and the athletic programs. They are preparing her well for college!
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2022

This school has a revolving door for both students and teacher/staff. Our child left - and they were one of at least 7 who left from his grade alone. Staff members even left mid-semester. They talk about knowing teens, but it's just marketing. Throughout the pandemic and after, they only did very superficial things to support students emotionally/mentally. Don't waste your money - there are better independent schools.
Submitted by parent on December 25, 2020

We had our daughter at this school for the first half of her freshmen year. For the price of the education were shocked at the lack of adequate support services (not as advertised), condoned bullying and racism allowed to fester at this school. We quickly switched our daughter to another SF private school and she is thriving. Don't waste your money. Also, there is a discernable lack of school spirit building (noted by our daughter). I have waited a while to make this review, as I was so disheartened by the school administration's lack of care for their students.
Submitted by student on March 03, 2020

bad administration who is lazy and doesn't seek to help students or improve general schooling experience. many good teaches have left and although there are many good teachers still there there are also many sub-par teachers. learning differences are handled with a one size fits all system and bullying is pushed onto the students as their problem to fix
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2018

This school is a mixed bag with teachers running the spectrum from terrific to awful. A lot of great teachers have left the school. I would not send a child here if they are interested in performing arts. Otherwise, I do believe our child got a good education at this school. There is little support getting into the best colleges since they do not seem to have the appropriate connections. Our child nevertheless got into several top schools because of amazing grades and test scores.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2017

Our daughter is a junior at Drew. She is thriving and has found her voice. She loves the Drew community, plays on varsity sports teams, belongs to the Unity club and appreciates Drew's DEALL (Drew Education for Active Lifelong Learning) program which combines learning outside the classroom and giving back to the community. The teachers are inspiring and David Frankenberg, the head of school is outstanding. Excellent school.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

Excellent school with lots of opportunities for kids to get involved and broaden their horizons.
Submitted by other on March 15, 2017

Coming out of public school, thanks to the generosity of the financial aid program, Drew has been our first private school experience. We have found Drew to be a place where they take seriously the commitment to a healthy community and the growth of the whole person. From casual conversations with parents, faculty, and staff to a curriculum that focuses on academics, arts, and justice, if you believe that a broad and rigorous liberal arts education is good for your child and good for the world, Drew may be the place for you!
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

I see my son, now in his sophomore year, thriving at Drew. He is excited about his teachers and subjects and has developed a confidence that translates into taking on more advanced classes. Likewise, my experience with his teachers instills confidence and peace of mind in me. These can be tough times for adolescents I know they were for me. So to see my son be happy, motivated and aware more often than not I attribute in large part to the commitment Drew makes to nurture achieving and compassionate young adults.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2014

Drew school. has been a exceptional experience for our daughter as well as our family . The faculty commitment to excellence has given our daughter such confidence and independence dealing with life challenges and adversity. We believe that Drew 's educational philosophy has natured our daughter with greater prospective to participate in life with determination and true expression . My dearest wife have actively engage in the school's PGA with dedicated passion ,knowing that the Drew family is solidly paving the way for our children's future success.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2014

Drew is one of the few high schools left that offers a great education without completely stressing out its students. Drew's teachers and administrators don't believe that four hours of homework a night makes kids more successful. Instead Drew aims to cultivate each student's intellectual strengths and nurture a love of learning that will last far beyond high school. This is a warm and tolerant community with teachers dedicated to each child's education. Our child has been very happy at Drew and has made wonderful friends, too.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2014

When looking for a school I talked to 5 Drew students. The responses were so enthusiastic; I love my school, I love my teachers and I love going to school. That got my interest. My child is a sophomore and very happy. His interests are Honors Chemistry, Psychology, Math, Surfing (DEALL), Coding and 3d Printing (DEALL) where he built a 3d printer. There's a great school spirit here and a nice community feeling. It is not a drop off school. Parents are invited to be involved. I have met so many parents at the school events and the sports games. My child is getting a great education and learning wonderful social skills also. He was invited to the honors chemistry class and now wants to proceed with more honors and AP classes. He
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2014

Drew School is a great place for kids who do not want to hide in a big classroom. The school is small so the students receive a lot of attention and a lot of support, both in and out of the classroom. The teachers and administration are energetic and engaged, and have created a culture where the students are challenged but feel comfortable asking for help if they need it. We cannot imagine a better school for our son.
Submitted by student on February 25, 2014

I graduated from Drew in 2009. In college, people were always shocked when I described my high school experience so positively. Everyone I spoke to had nothing but complaints about their high school, but I loved Drew! One of my other favorite parts of Drew was playing dodgeball every Friday in the Friday Electives. Years later, I am now the captain of a rec dodgeball team, thanks Drew! Would have never known how much I loved dodgeball. I also thought DEALL was one of the most fantastic ways to explore new passions, the Cake Decorating DEALL I took freshman year was the first time I ever baked anything, and it later inspired the baking company I started in high school and continued for a few years after. It certainly inspired my love of baking! Overall, I would say I received a very positive and well-rounded education and high school experience. It was very unique to go to a high school where someone would be condemned for saying anything at all that was homophobic, racist or offensive in any way. Everyone was really supportive of each other and appreciated each others differences.
Submitted by student on January 14, 2014

I am a senior at Drew. It has been such a great experience. Teachers always have extra time to talk to me, including "office hours." On the other hand, you need to be able to seek out those relationships if you want help. We also have extended time built into each test, which is a big help when needed. Academically, it can be as rigorous as you want to make it. Yes, some students choose to take the "easy way" through, but even then there is a lot of appropriate challenges in the curriculum. I have taken many honors and APs, and I have to say that it is academically stimulating, although it can be hard. On the non-academic side, there are so many opportunities to be a leader and get involved. I've probably done everything I've been able to, including DEALL summer trips like going to Senegal. It may not be for everyone, but I have met many more people that rave about it than people who dislike it.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2013

My daughter attends DREW and is loving it. We could not have made a better choice in selecting this school. Although the final choice was hers, we supported her in her decision. She adjusted well to the environment and quickly made new friends. She plays volleyball and a member of the student government. What I enjoy most about DREW is that it look at each child as an individual learner. (as you may know that every person learns different) DREW goes above and beyond to make sure that every child feels successful as a learner. Students leave DREW and attend great universities and colleges. After college, they have successful careers. DREW has been around 100+ years and high school I'm not sure. As for me and my daughter we made the RIGHT CHOICE! (and that's what it's all about)
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2013

Drew boasts about its kind and embracing community but I have not found that to be the case with my own child. Drew is probably a great school for a student who is not looking for a serious academic challenge but instead just wants to get through high school without anything extra-ordinary. For a more engaged student, it feels like the wrong school. While some of the teachers are fantastic, some are below the standard for a school of its kind. Many are unwilling to go the extra mile. Some are downright disappointing. The new school building is impressive, and so are the travel opportunities during DEALL and summer breaks. The head of the school is concerned and approachable. They definitely have impressive special days like Snow Day (complete with ice rink and falling snow) and International Day! Drew could improve by working harder to be sure all kids are engaged at their own academic level rather than forcing them work at a one-size-fits-all pace, and to make it feel acceptable and desirable to be an enthusiastic student. It could also do a much better job of supporting its students socially and emotionally.
Submitted by student on January 26, 2011

i feel that Drew is has amazing academic, and is one of the best. Being a person of color in Drew School i have had to deal with a lot of unneeded drama which in the end results in me transferring. Drew social awareness skills should be a lot higher for the type of people that go there. basically academic great! social aspects needs improvement