Grattan Elementary School

165 Grattan Street

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 January 02, 2023

After transferring from another SFUSD school that was ranked higher, we are having a much better experience at Grattan. Ms. Walter makes all the difference in the world with her energy and focus. Every morning she leads the school with clap in and her presence and attention can really be felt. We have a 1st and 3rd grader and both students have wonderful teachers and are making great academic progress. Icing on the cake is the GASP after school program. It is great, our kids love it, and they have homework time as part of the day.We are very happy with this school and if you can get a spot Go For It!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2022

I am a current parent of a 3rd grader and 1st grader at Grattan. They absolutely love it. It is a really lovely school. The principal, teachers, staff and families go above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive community. Teachers are kind and caring and really motivate students to learn. Grattan's wonderful principal has navigated the covid pandemic with thoughtfulness and compassion, and has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and teachers alike. Grattan's mission is to interrupt the status quo of public education to ensure every child has equitable access to the knowledge, tools and love they need to transform themselves, their communities, and the world around them. The school has an almost full-time librarian; a visual and performing arts teacher and special curriculum; a wonderful gardening teacher and curriculum; reading and math specialists. After care on site is available to all and my kids adore it. Behavioral challenges are dealt with through early intervention and a focus on restorative practices and positive reinforcement of good behavior. The PTA raises money to fund an extra 4/5 teacher so the class sizes remain on the smaller side through 5th grade. Grattan has various parent committees focused on supporting the school, including an inclusion committee to support children and families in the SDC program, promote awareness about neurodiversity and special needs, and to create connections between the special education and general education communities. There is an annual Inclusion Carnival in the spring that celebrates inclusion and diversity and is a big highlight for all kids at the school. I would highly recommend Grattan!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2019

We are very happy with our experience here at Grattan. Ms. Walter has brought an amazing new focus to the school and the staff seems to like her and respect her a lot. She is very organized and honest, and the parents really respect her. The kids love school, and I don't hear any complaints when I pick them up from aftercare. The changes that have happened over the past years since the new principal has taken over have been overwhelmingly positive. The PTA pared down spending and focused more on the kids and their academic needs instead of overwhelming them with extras which really, this community does not need at all. Most people here have the finances to bring extra-curriculars to their kids without having the school do it for them. I like the direction the school is headed and I feel that we have ignored a lot of the inequities here for a long time and it is time we focus on the kids who really aren't benefiting academically. There is a lack of diversity here that makes it very difficult to find the people who really care about every child, not just their own. Some people here are really focused on their own needs and the needs of their one kid which doesn't make the school better, just more privileged and entitled. It can be frustrating to get through that. But the teachers are putting their heart and soul into their work and into their students, and the principal has a huge heart for Grattan. She was once a teacher at the school and has deep roots here. Under all the bells and whistles of big PTA funding this is really at heart a family of people who love their kids and their school. For the most part, everyone really cares about the community here. The ones that complain about everything don't get what Grattan is really about and that's a real shame.My kids love the school and are very happy here. We were transfers from another school in the district which made them miserable, so this school is a wonderful place for them. The focus is truly on them and how they should respect everyone no matter who they are or where they come from. My kids are better for it.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2019

We are about halfway through our time at Grattan with our two children. Each year our children are sad to leave their teachers (as are we after seeing the academic and social growth) but then are thrilled with their teacher the following year. We feel lucky to be a part of this bright, motivated and thoughtful community.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2019

I think it's probably frustrating to the potentially incoming parent of a kindergartener that Grattan's review lay flat as of 2014. It is May 2019, I am here to hopefully provide an updated glimmer into the Grattan community. My child is ending her 4th year at Grattan and I am extremely frustrated for several reasons: Our current principal, Ms. Walter, has been developing her personal family, I support this, but not at my child's expense. She is never actually at Grattan. Why not embrace raising your family and surrender these 300+ students to a principal that is actually around? Honestly, Grattan went from a 10 to a 7 in 1.5 years(how does that happen?!), now it's at an 8. I think with this current principal came a loss of the "Grattan spirit" which literally she revoked, your daily clap-in mantra, promises to revise it...*nothing*. This was a huge blow on top of which in the same clap-in she pointed out the "low income folk," I guess well intentioned, but not. Many, many important Grattan staples are leaving Grattan at the end of this year. I don't wonder "why," I wonder when we are going to speak up.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2014

Grattan is a wonderful K-5 school with great teachers and a wonderful and dedicated principal. Our kids get gardening, computer, music, and art. The after school program is top notch. My kids love going to school and never want me to pick them up early.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2014

We love the community at Grattan and all the hard work that the teachers, parents, administrators and students put in to make it a fun learning experience for our kids! The mission says it all: All teachers at Grattan implement practices that encourage children to view learning with curiosity and joy. The teachers and children enjoy learning and working together. We believe in the necessity for a strong balanced academic program with an affective component. We are committed to the belief that all children are learners and will take personal pride in accomplishments. We are a small, safe school where low class size is a priority and the home/school connection is valued. Our community is dedicated to creating a positive, caring, learning environment where diversity is celebrated and individual differences are honored. Grattan School exists for children to awaken their unique intellectual gifts, stimulate a moral sense and strengthen their self-confidence and resiliency.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2013

We have two children at Grattan; one graduating this year. If our first child had not been accepted in to Grattan we would have pursued private school. A couple of the reasons that Grattan works so well from our perspective is that there has been a very positive energy loop for lack of a better expression between the principals, teachers and after school staff and the parents and their kids. Most people have great positive energy and enthusiasm and everything else follows. Parents enjoy being involved; we are happy to contribute money because we see it put to work with mostly terrific results. Grattan is not the only great SF elementary school public or private. The parent involvement has been high and we have been amazed or at the very least satisfied with the teachers. Our kids enjoy their social relationships at school and through activities and sports. The staff is thoughtful about how the kids deal with and grow positively from conflicts.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2012

My daughter has attended Grattan since Kindergarten. She's ready to graduate from the fifth grade in 2013. We will miss Grattan. What an amazing experience my daughter has had, and we have had as parents. The Grattan school community is diverse, loving and very cohesive. The principal (5 years ago) and the current one are fabulous and they strive for the best teachers and the best education for the students. We love it and have been so fortunate to attend this school.
Submitted by other on December 01, 2012

I went to this school when I was a child up to the 8th grade. LOVED IT. Had 3 brothers and 1 sister that had attended also. I am 78 years old now and look back at my life on Cole St. Seems it is still a great school. We used to stand in the school yard and put our hand over our hearts and say the pledge of allegiance before class. I had excellent teachers then as it seems you do now. The integrity is built in .
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2012

My children have been at Grattan for the past 6 years and we love the school! Change can be hard for some people and the departure of our long time and well loved principal left some wondering about the future. The new principal has done an excellent job carrying on the student centered philosophy and supporting the excellent teaching staff. As a parent, I feel welcomed and appreciated in volunteering and helping the staff and PTA. My children's experience has also been consistently positive and they've grown both academically and socially. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2012

I have had 2 children thrive at Grattan. I have always been impressed with the dedication of the teachers and staff. They really know and care about their students. I am a teacher and started volunteering my time. I was welcomed by the community. Eventually, I became part of the staff and am now a librarian at Grattan. I love my job. In all the years I have taught, I have never been in such a pleasant, smart, and supportive environment. Mr. Reedy has assumed the role of principal with ease and dealt with hard situations professionally and respectfully. The teachers love their jobs and their students. They work so hard. I am in awe of my colleagues. Grattan is a happy place, and you can tell from the smiles and the laughter. I am looking forward to another great year. Please feel free to stop by the library anytime and ask me about Grattan!