Lakeshore Alternative Elementary School

220 Midfield Dr.

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 parent on September 23, 2022

This is our 5th year at Lakeshore; we couldn't have been happier. We love all of our child's teachers. They are so dedicated and loving. Love the diversity and social awareness here. My child loves going to school and learn. Every time I see Lakeshore's rating here I don't understand; it's such a wonderful school that I really wish more parents can get to know of. If you don't believe it please just come for a tour. I toured like 10 schools west of SF and Lakeshore definitely stood out on top. We were so glad that we chose Lakeshore based on what we saw and not the "scores." And did I mention all the beautiful gardens? Please come decide for yourself.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2022

Lakeshore has room for improvement and that is why I didn't give it five stars. I will tell you about the four stars. Lakeshore was number seven on our list and it is not our in-district school. We stayed at Lakeshore because I loved my child's Kindergarten teacher. I loved the after school program, enrichment after school options, gardening, motor, yoga, and art. I thought the PTA was friendly and really cared about the school. We are still here four years later. After covid, life has been hard. The after school program has left which was a big blow. Though with time new after school enrichment options have started. My child loves the after school art classes offered. My child has suffered academically due to covid and I feel the staff has taken a holistic approach in helping my child. I appreciate the staff listening and trying their best to do what is best for everyone. I think being fair is an important attribute to have in any community. If you are looking for a school who cares about your child as a whole and puts diversity, community, and life-long learning as a priority....then Lakeshore could be the right fit for you.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2022

Our family has been a part of the Lakeshore community for the last 6 years. Both of my children have had wonderful teachers and experiences throughout our time at Lakeshore. It is a great community that represents and values the diversity of San Francisco. There are several outdoor gardens and plenty of outdoor space for kids to explore.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2021

My family has been very happy at Lakeshore over the many years with three kids. We have had very caring and enthusiastic teachers, made lifelong friends and been well supported by staff and the community. We have loved all the hands on activities with gardening, studio art and motor perception that are funded by the PTA. Highly recommend families check out Lakeshore!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2021

I think it's important to actually see the school and meet staff and other families before deciding. We fell in love with this school as soon as we walked in. The teachers and staff are very dedicated and engaged. Every question or issue we had was handled with care. The PTA is very active and provides immense support to the school. Enrichment programs are wonderful: gardening, motor, studio art, etc. Finally, the school space is a jewel: there are seven gardens that students tend to: scent garden, music garden, rock garden, serenity garden, etc.We love Lakeshore and will miss it dearly. The rating doesn't do our Lakeshore justice.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2020

My daughter is absolutely thriving at Lakeshore. She’s going into first grade and can’t wait to return (whenever this crazy pandemic gets under control!). Our experience with distance learning in the spring was really very positive, all things considered. We could not have been more impressed with how nimble and skilled her response was in the face of an unprecedented crisis. My daughter has formed great friendships in her grade and across grades in the exceptionally good after school program, Everyday Magic. The diversity at Lakeshore is how every single school should be—truly representative of the demographics of the city. This reality and the awesome campus we’re two of the reason we ranked Lakeshore near the top of our list and have been delighted with our experience at this school thus far. Highly recommend this school community to others!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2020

If the district were really about what they say they're about, we wouldn't have ever had this principal to begin with. I'm tired of the excuse that these are "east side problems" and a bad former principal. We need a new principal for 2020-2021.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2020

Time for a new principal. That would fix it.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2019

Some teachers and staff are very, very good. The school needs new leadership.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2019

I am a parent of a 5th grader and a 1st grader. We are happy to be part of the Lakeshore community and appreciate all the effort and love that parents and the staff share with the students. My oldest child had a tough transition to kinder and I was humbled by the school's efforts to support him. Yes, Lakeshore is not your "typical" westside school. It has its challenges due to a heterogeneous population. However, in our time at Lakeshore we have seen a resurgence in the PTA and more resources directed toward areas of concern. Honesty one of the reasons we were drawn to Lakeshore is because it is not your typical westside school. It feels like a good representation of what SF really is. We don't hesitate to recommend Lakeshore to folks looking at elementary schools. And it's nice to note that that various SFUSD teachers and former teachers send their kids to Lakeshore.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2019

My daughter is in 5th grade and my son is in 2nd grade this year. We've had an overwhelmingly positive experience at Lakeshore. My daughter has made some close friends and has loved each of her teachers. My son also enjoys going to school. Both have fun in the morning Everyday Magic program.The year before my daughter started, a new principal took over, and the leadership, staff, and PTA had to find its footing again. There was some teacher turnover in the first 3 years we were there. One year, 3 of those teachers reached retirement age; there was no issue with administration. A few over the years left to move closer to family, travel, or change careers. There was a year that of 4 of the 5 teachers in grades 4 and 5 left, but one of those teachers stayed at Lakeshore in a different role, and besides them, only 2 other teachers left. This summer, only 1 teacher left, and her replacement is someone who was already in the Lakeshore community. It feels good that teacher turnover is trending down.While I've been here, parent involvement has steadily increased. There is always a core group of volunteers running any PTA, but the number of different volunteers here has increased over time due to efforts to reach out in different ways and in different languages. They've gotten more organized over time, with signups for everything, so volunteers can know what to expect and anyone can help with a variety of needs.The fundraising done by parents has increased year over year, which can be taken as an indicator of trust, satisfaction, and investment by the community. In 6 years, PTA spending has grown 70% which has gone to increased enrichment programs, financial support for classroom teachers, and now, for the first time, project grants for teachers to support more academic enrichment in the classroom, including STEM grants. Communication within the parent group has improved, with regular updates, and this year, parent communication is shifting to a centralized platform.That's not to say there aren't challenges. Lakeshore is a Title 1 school with its share of behavior challenges. There was a great ARTIF who was making progress but moved away before last year. I'm optimistic about the new behavior specialist who is starting this year. Things may not be perfect, but the administration is trying and things overall are trending up. I would recommend Lakeshore.
Submitted by teacher on August 11, 2019

How far Lakeshore has fallen! Lakeshore Alternative Elementary School of the past was a vibrant, effective school with veteran teachers and a loyal following of families. It has steadily declined in the last 20 years to become a troubled school with high teacher turnover, chaotic culture, and minimal parent involvement. Lakeshore is “west side school with east side problems,” as the current principal often points out. Unfortunately, there is no plan to address its challenges. Lakeshore is now a neighborhood school and is under-enrolled, so students arrive from other schools in or out of the district throughout the year. Double the typical portion of special needs students is not a problem, except for the insufficiency of resources to support them, which then impacts classroom instruction. The demographics of the school have not changed much in 20 years and Lakeshore is still wonderfully diverse. Students cannot be blamed for the decline. Instead, there seems to be a lack of leadership. The previous principal was highly divisive; current leadership is reactive and ill equipped to inspire positive cultural change. Teachers see the problems firsthand and many say they would not send their children there. After the 2016-17 school year 11 teachers left their jobs; the next year, all but one 4th and 5th grade teacher left the school. Turnover in an organization is never a good sign. When deciding on a school for your child, you would be better off looking at alternatives.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2019

I am parent of current first grader, and we are very happy with Lakeshore. We put Lakeshore #7 on our list, but feel so so lucky to have landed here! The teachers at Lakeshore really care about the students, and are able to teach in such a way that the students really learn to respect one another for their differences and strengths. My daughter is an overachiever, and I wanted strong academics, but you know what - Lakeshore offers both academics and social-emotional learning. The extracurricular teachers and support staff also make this school and incredible place. The Garden-science teacher Ms. Luna teaches earth science outside in the garden - and the kids really learn it! (The gardens at Lakeshore are amazing!) The Studio-art teacher, Sharon, sends home incredible projects, and my daughter can always explain the concepts behind the art. The Motor Program (Gross and Fine motor skills) taught by Marlene has really made my daughter become more confident in her body in ways that I didn't even realize she needed help with! In any given week, my daughter has 3-4 of these classes, including yoga, chorus, music, playworks, Library, etc. The PTA after school options are also wonderful, as is the afterschool program Everyday Magic. Lakeshore has integrated the PBIS model school-wide through the Leopard Bucks program and all the teachers seem to have been trained in the modality - this has also had a big and positive impact on my daughter. The Principal, VP, SOcial worker and other support staff work together so closely that all students seem to getting their needs met above and beyond. But overall, the best part about Lakeshore has been the community: My daughter has made several deep and meaningful friendships at Lakeshore - she is thriving, and feels safe, confident and loves her school! We really feel that Lakeshore has become a part of our community and family. As a student at Lakeshore, your child will be seen, nurtured and cared for beyond your expectations.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

I'm a Kindergarten parent at Lakeshore (2017/2018). Heading into the SFUSD lottery, Lakeshore was not on our radar. We have plenty of great schools really close to home, but the lottery system is competitive and unpredictable, and so we added Lakeshore since it's still within a 15 min drive from home. THIS SCHOOL IS A HIDDEN GEM. The campus is huge with so much great outdoor space for the kids. The gardens. The enrichment (gross motor + art) programs. The school has an amazing range of teachers/consultants/administrators – some with 30+ years tenure and a great history and knowledge of the school. The younger teachers bring great energy and enthusiasm (and it helps that they are tech savvy, and responsive to email!) In terms of the school/curriculum, if you’re looking for a super techy school where the kids get mandatory homework and extensive computer/tablet time as early as Kindergarten – Lakeshore isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a program with nurturing & effective teachers, thoughtful leadership, hands-on learning and if true DIVERSITY is important for your family, then…Lakeshore. We especially love Everyday Magic Inc, the before/after program. The staff are involved & supportive. The flexible drop off and pick up (7:30-9:30 & 3:30-6) allows for SO MUCH FLEXIBILITY, which I appreciate as a working parent. EMI is also different from other before/after school programs in that they have planned curriculum with plenty of hands-on activities (cooking, art projects), balanced nicely with still encouraging the kids to play hard & get their hands dirty. And they have tons of staff. I saw this as a huge bonus compared to the YMCA-run after school programs at other schools. Finally, a note on how Lakeshore is changing/evolving. The school and student population is changing. We’re noticing a shift in the student make-up and level of parental involvement. This year’s K class parents are extremely involved and invested in the school/PTA. More and more people are listing Lakeshore as their #1 choice. It’s an exciting time at Lakeshore, with plenty of opportunities for parents/families to get involved, make change, and have an impact. We could have re-entered the lottery this year to try get a 1st grade spot at a school closer to home, but we chose note to. We are happy and excited to be a part of the Lakeshore community.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2017

We have been at Lakeshore for 3 years now, and have had a fantastic experience. The school's leadership is great but they are also always looking for and implementing ways to make the school better. In our time here, it has really felt like one of those schools you hear about that are on the "upswing". But to be clear, we've been happy here since day 1. The most important part-- the teachers have been dedicated, high-quality, effective, and fun! The parent community is very involved and helpful as well. The PTA is doing a GREAT job, as are the school's other organizations.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2017

Lakeshore is a hidden gem in the city. The teachers and staff are helpful and welcoming. They have an open door policy and have always felt safe sending my child to school. My child has been there since 2nd and we have been welcomed ever since.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2017

We are a new family to Lakeshore. I know the year just started but I wanted to write a review about our experience so far with the school since I know prospective families for next year are starting the school research/application process. Our spunky, energetic, and often entertaining 5 year old lucked out and was placed in Ms. Fernandez's kindergarten class (although honestly you can't go wrong with any of the kinder teachers here). The community at the school has been lovely - the families in our classroom and ones I've met in the aftercare program and at PTA meetings are all great, helpful, kind, and easy going. I absolutely love the diversity here. They talk about it a lot at this school and are proud of it! It's the first thing I noticed when visiting the classrooms on our tour last year, and one of the biggest reasons why Lakeshore was towards the top of our list on our application. Unlike some schools whose fundraising goals are $350k-$500k/year (gulp!! It's non-stop fundraising all year!!!), Lakeshore's goals are more than reasonable (I think set at $100k this year) and they fund all the amazing enrichment programs they offer like Motor/Perception skills class for K-2nd graders (my kids loves this class!), Gardening which is wrapped into Science (brilliant!), Studio Art, Music, Yoga and more! For our family, another big draw for us was how the school emphasizes hands-on learning for the kiddos, and gets them outside in the fresh air as much as possible. They understand that little ones, especially kinder kids, can't sit and focus for long periods of time - and that gross motor development so important for them too. We loved that the kindergarteners have 3 recesses (most of all the schools we toured) with one long recess at lunchtime. My kid needs these breaks to get the wiggles out! Another great feature of this school is all the outdoor space. I believe there are 7 gardens on campus? Huge yards - so much space for the kids to play in. Will update my review later at the end of the year or beginning of next but so far, we absolutely love this school as it's been the perfect fit for our kid and for our family.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2016

This is our first year at Lakeshore. We really love the school and specially we are very thanked to our daughter's teacher Ms. Jordan who made her transition wonderfully. All the enrichment programs such as motor, science, gardening, music and art are great. Staff and PTA are very welcoming. Diversity makes the school a great place for my kids to grow, we can not wait to have a first grader and new kindergarden student soon!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2014

We love Lakeshore and our kids love school! With three kids, we have worked with many of the great teachers at Lakeshore and I am continuously amazed by the quality of teaching. There is attention paid to the abilities of each child and with focus on great reading and writing programs, math, arts, social studies and environmental sciences I feel that our kids are getting an amazing foundation. I love the diversity of the population, the green environment and the projects and community events.
Submitted by teacher on February 11, 2014

I've been teaching at Lakeshore for nearly 20 years, and many of my colleagues have been here almost or just as long. There's quite a lot to love about this school, most recently we are loving our new administrator, Mr. Hartford, who has come in with fresh energetic positivity and the ability to parlay that into new academic initiatives that we teachers are fully behind. Lakeshore has touched the lives of a diverse community of San Franciscans over the years. I am proud to have been part of this community and look forward to continuing. Lakeshore staff believe in educating the whole kid, not just the part that gets tested, and we know that childhood learning is a journey not a race and that each child goes at their own pace. We have high expectations and give every child the tools to continue on their path.