Key (Francis Scott) Elementary School

1530 43rd Avenue

School District

San Francisco Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 other on February 14, 2024

best school ever cuz yeah best school best
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2021

This school was my first choice, and it is excellent academically. It is extremely “compliance” oriented, though. Public humiliation is used by many teachers to ensure good behavior. Coloring within the lines is important. If your child is outside of the traditional mold, in regards to gender roles, or if they think differently than most kids, they may really struggle here and come out of it feeling like bad people. There are a couple of warm & kind teachers, but also several teachers who cause damage.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2018

Love it, I have 3 kids there and as soon as they started they were welcomed to the family!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

We are just finishing our first year at FSK and adore this school. The long time principal, Ms. Kasner, is excellent, and so involved, at the end of the day when I pick up my kids at aftercare, 2 hours after school ends, I see all the kids saying hi to her, some going up to hug her, they all know her and she them. She has created a real community feel, as has the active PTA. They raise a fair amount of money, not the most or least, but really CARE about kids here and that's where their focus is. Our teacher is excellent as are all the teachers at every grade level, and the teachers really work together at each grade level, so there is so much collaboration. My child's education is so excellent, and with great extras like dance, a computer lab and great full time instructor, a lovely librarian w/ a great librarian, holiday celebrations, world awareness, gardening with a full time enthusiastic gardening teacher, etc. We are so happy here, it was our first choice and we are so thrilled.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2014

Being part of this school has been an amazing experience. When you have such a great community and so many parents involved you know you are going to a great school that your student will excel in! The teachers are all amazing and really take the time to learn about the students and teach them according to their learning style.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

we are moving and are going to miss this school, the teachers and special ed department(you know who you are) are the most caring and helpful we have ever met, the children love the school and that is what it is about cannot say enough
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

FSK is an amazing jewel! My son has had such wonderful warm, dedicated, creative, organized, and inspiring teachers at Key. This year, the PTA has brought a year-long art curriculum called, Art in Action, into the classroom (K-5.) This means that all of our students will be studying 12 different artists each year and will be introduced to new art mediums such as charcoal and watercolors while learning how to create their own ancient cave paintings and works of art based off of Picasso, Van Gough, and the many other great masters. Overall, FSK has a strong sense of community that feels very inclusive.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2012

I am a parent of 2nd & 4th graders at FSK. After going on 14 school tours, FSK was my favorite. I was impressed with the principal, teachers and parents back then and continued to be amazed at their dedication to the students. I appreciate the principal, who is takes time to listen to parents' concerns and encourages parents make teacher requests for the next year. The teachers are wonderful! They differentiate their lessons so my boys are challenged and enjoy their classes. Also, they have worked to include technology in the classroom with electronic touch whiteboards and a shared set of classroom laptops. There is a large special needs population, which develops empathy in all students. The school also has very extensive after school offerings - Beacon (free for 2nd-5th), CDC (sliding scale) & CYC (fee-based). A huge plus is the tuition-based Mandarin program that runs 4 days a week onsite. There is also guitar lessons taught by parent & teacher volunteers. One of my main reservations of this school was the early start time, but have found it to be beneficial to start the day early and get out early. Overall, we are extremely happy that we are here.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2012

FSK is such a wonderful school. The teachers are fantastic and are involved in EVERY aspect of your childs learning. Their dedication shows in all they do and they are supported through the leadership of Mr. Wong. It is so nice to see a Principal who participates and is always there to greet you. They have a great PTA who are dedicated to making FSK a community by funding programs and putting on really fun communtiy events. The school also has a great After School Learning Program. FSK truly is the hidden gem of SFUSD!
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2012

I had a good feeling about Francis Scott Key from my first visit, and it turned out to be right on. The school, from the top down, sets high standards for leadership, education, citizenship, family and friendship. The principal, Mr Wong, is a strong leader, and the kids like and respect him. The teachers are excellent. The school is warm and inclusive. While volunteering at lunch recently I saw an older student stop her friend in the lunch room so she could sing her a song. She had hurt her friend's feelings and the song was her way to apologize. It was a humble act of kindness that tells me Key is teaching our kids well.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2012

This is a terrific school, with high academic standards, fabulous teachers, and great new facilities. The parents are very involved, and new programs are being developed all the time. There is a terrific on-site afterschool program with Mandarin classes and judo, chess, guitar, etc. There is a great sense of community with most of the students leaving in the neighborhood. The school has an exceptional special ed program as well as many extra activities for gifted kids.Overall, exceptional school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2012

My son is an inclusive student at FSK. FSK was my first choice after visiting more than 20 public schools at SF. As my son gets older (3rd grader this year), he shared more fun activities that he did at school with me. And he LOVE going to school every day. All his teachers not only are very caring, but communicate frequently with me to address my son's certain needs. Most importantly, I heard so many good things from other parents about teachers at FSK. I think this is because our principle, Mr. Wong, sets a high standard for teachers and himself. Mr. Wong is very approachable, and a great communicator as well. In addition to teachers, all staff, paraprofessionals are great, too. No wonder my son can't wait to get back to school after long summer break each year.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2012

Our son started Kindergarten at FSK last year and is now attending first grade. Wanted to wait one year before writing a review. We listed FSK as #1 choice in the lottery. Everything we expected from the tour turned out to be true. You and your child feel welcomed, teachers are there because they love to teach, great PTA/Principal relationship, good diversity of students, wonderful Mandarin after school programs. Child comes home happy and eager to tell us about what he learned that day. Oh... the remodeling is pretty much done... new play structure... bathrooms... yard... classroom... etc...
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2012

Friendly. Inclusive. Academic. Superb test scores. Best after-school program in the city. Principal of the Year. Teacher of the Year. Great activities. Strong PTA and School Site Council. Second to none and getting even better!
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2011

I was not sure if I should send my boy whom turned 5 this Oct 2010 and I was able to speak to the principal before my son started kindergarten and had my questions answered by the principal. When we started school, I feel all my worries are gone since my son enjoys going to school so much that he wants to go to school on weekends too. The teachers both during school time and afters school are all excellent. Also I feel welcomed by the PTA and the whole school. Also there are mandarin after school program and chess and cooking and gardening classes.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2011

I love this school. Having moved from an excellent school out of state I was nervous about having my kids join the sfusd. We were placed at F S Key and we were so lucky to get into such a wonderful school. From day one it was obvious what a welcoming community this school has. The PTA is very involved and super friendly. The principle is fabulous. The kids like and respect him and it shows by their actions. This year my younger son was able to start kindergarten and begs to go to school. I feel both my boys are getting a great education in an excellent learning enviroment. The on going remodel is just icing on the cake.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2011

Excellent Leadership (Principal) Excellent and caring teachers and staff. Students are academically challenged and taught to respect and care for each other.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2011

This is my son's second year at FKS now as a first grader. I am so glad that the lottery placed us here. Last year, when my son was a kindergartener, I was really worried that he would have a hard time in school. He is a whirlwind of activity and energy and I was concerned that an overworked public school teacher would find him too distracting for the class. However his teacher actually embraced who he was and still managed to easily get him into the rhythm of learning and structure. She was awesome. Now he is in first grade with another amazing teacher. But it's not just great teachers that make this a great school. It's a great principal (Principal of the Year), teachers, librarian, parents, kids and programs!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2011

Both of my daughters goto this school and i have nothing to worry about cause you have the Principal of the year Mr.Wong and all of his teachers are great and actually take there time in teaching there kids.Great support from the PTA and parents too!