West Portal Elementary School

5 Lenox Way

School District

San Francisco Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
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 25, 2024

Our children are now in 5th and 3rd grades and I can't say enough good things about the school. it starts with teachers who care about the kids and are invested in their success. The parent community is also amazing and very engaged, raising funds for multiple enrichment activities and teachers. The administration is solid and well intentioned, but not perfect. They do their best to reinforce a strong positive culture, which we do appreciate. Our kids have developed strong relationships and are learning good life skills. I wish the academics were a little stronger, but it is still above average compared to other SFUSD schools. There are certain teachers who are weaker and people avoid, but I imagine it is the same or even worse at most schools. Overall, it has been a really positive and wonderful experience for our kids.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2022

West Portal Elementary School has been terrific for our child. The campus is in a beautiful part of SF, the teachers are very engaged and experienced, the kids are diverse, excited to learn, and energetic each day, the admin. are responsive in all ways, and the enrichments + afterschool programs are robust, multi-faceted and awesome. Our child adores garden teacher time, music class, and the day-to-day learning, as well as her afterschool program. Highly recommend this amazing school. Any/all should check it out (note, we don't live right near the school but were pleased to get in!). It's a total GEM!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2020

Thus far it’s been great! We’re in kindergarten but the staff are fully engaged and the parent community as become our community. We couldn’t have asked for anything more!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

As previously mentioned, I don't have a basis of comparison as we have only one child who has just completed his first half of Kindergarten. That said, meeting other parents with multiple children at WPE, I now know and agree that the community that makes up the school, is solid and involved. The leadership, teachers, and volunteers all seem and appear to be genuinely involved and caring. I feel very fortunate to have found and to be part of this fantastic community that is West Portal.-Mr. David's Kindergarten father
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

I have a current 2nd grader and a older child who has now moved on to middle school. West Portal Elementary is an amazing school with an energetic community. The teachers have such fun and creative ways to engage students and keep them learning. The parents club is able to provide wonderful "extras" like world music and garden that help make this school great. The staff is proactive and responsive, really focusing the school on continuous improvements to ensure our children get the best education and socio-emotional support.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

Despite being geographically undesirable and having a mismatch with the (Cantonese) language immersion program, we would rate WPES as our #1 choice. We were lucky enough to get in to the school and feel enormously lucky!
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2018

I have sons in 1st and 3rd grade, so we have been at West Portal for several years, and I’m active in classroom and parent club volunteering. The community at this school is fanstastic—welcoming, supportive, and involved. My sons are in the general education program and all of their teachers have been engaging—they’ve learned a ton, both become avid readers, and they’ve retained their curiosity and love of learning. They look forward to school every day. When my children have faced difficult social situations, the staff has stepped in and given them a safe place to talk and navigate relationships and issues. The focus on the whole child—wellness and social emotional regulation and growth—are what allow the students to be open to learning and ready to absorb what’s being taught. Finally, I love the integrated curriculum. Science isn’t taught out of a book but through garden class and field trips and weekly visits from SF State grad students and UCSF programs who bring experiments and hands on learning; Math is brought to life through World Music class (Ms. Susan is the best!) and PE; and writing through workshops and creation of books with the editing process starting in kindergarten. I love seeing my kids happily head to school each day and coming home bubbling over with whatever fun has happened that day. The after school options are great as well!
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2018

My daughter has blossomed during her recent Kindergarten year at West Portal. She’s in the Cantonese Immersion Program, plays soccer, and attends Glo After School Program. This school was our 1st choice out of 52 on our list, and we couldn’t be happier. The teachers are bright, caring and have been dedicated to the school for a long time. The parent community is awesome and we’ve made just as many friends as she has. As working parents, after school programs are very crucial to us. West Portal Elementary has more than 5 different programs to choose from and they are all on site! We enjoy all the fundraisers especially the Auction and The Annual Camping Trip! P.S. Last year when we selected this school as our first choice, it was a rated a 9. Due to a glitch in testing procedures this past year at the school, the scores went down and pulled our the rating down with it. But all the parents know that it’s still very much a 9. The latest testing results have already improved so this rating will quickly go back up. We’ll be sending all our kids here!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2017

My oldest child left West Portal well prepared for middle school. We have enjoyed the active parent community, dedicated teachers and strong leadership at West Portal. He had many friends at West Portal and learned social skills along with academics. After many years of stable leadership from principal Lucey, the school was in transition when he left last year to take an administrative position in another district last. The change in leadership impacted test scores (along with the new computerized tests vs. the old pencil & paper format). The new principal, Ms. Lee has already put plans in place to address the tech needs of the students and the school is hiring a full time STEM teacher . I'm confident my younger child will have the same great experience at West Portal that my older child did.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2017

not the good school starting at 4th grade. This School year almost end, the kids still not learning any writing.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2014

Ms Callaghan is very nice and helpful! My child is 5th grade now. Sometimes I do volunteering for this school so I know a little better about this school. Staffes here always have lunch meeting to share their teaching thoughts and students' issues. I think this school is should place at one of top ten schools in SFUSD.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2013

Principal Lucey is great. Mrs Callaghan, the elementary coordinator is also super-helpful. My son loves this school.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

We've had girls in the Chinese Immersion program @ West Portal for the past 6 years and have seen a great school continue to improve. The principle is really strong, engaged, present and available. He addresses issues raised. Most of the teachers are really wonderful. But, as one would expect, there are a select few that are not. Parent involvement has helped provide the feedback to improve below expectations situations. The community of parents and alum are strong. And, the campus is an example of the community. The garden, the art murals, and the imprint of the students around campus makes the school special. And, the extra curricular programming, such as the Chinese Parade, School Musical and sports activities define the West Portal experience.