San Francisco High School

Are you searching for the Best San Francisco High School? Woodside International School — a unique college preparatory private high school in San Francisco. We create an inclusive, diverse, and academically enriching environment for local and international students. Our students come from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating a experience.

We are a WASC-accredited, UC-approved San Francisco High School. We offer a uniquely tailored focus on the college application process beginning in the first week of 9th grade and resulting in nearly 100% placement for our graduates into their top-choice colleges. Students can choose from multiple foreign languages, such as Japanese and Mandarin.

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Testimonials

After spending eight years at the same school, our son was extremely nervous about going to high school. Woodside International School made the transition easy for him. (Sophomore parent)

It provides a unique, nurturing learning environment where each student is valued.   (Sophomore parent)

This is my son’s second year at Woodside International School, and the level of attention he receives from teachers continues to impress me. (Sophomore parent)

Not only are we informed about how our son is doing academically, but teachers share their observations on how he’s developing as an individual. (Sophomore parent)

My son tells me classes at Woodside International School are interactive, and everyone is expected to participate in activities and discussions instead of just listening to lectures. Woodside’s curriculum resonates well with him, and he’s a lot more engaged than he was in middle school. (Sophomore parent)

My child enjoys interacting with international students, which provides a unique opportunity to him. (Sophomore parent)

Our son is applying to Stanford and St Mary’s College. His achievements are because of Woodside International School and their individualized approach. (Senior parent)

I learned a lot at Woodside International School and find that my Economics course at USF is easier for me now than [for] many of the students because I was so well prepared. (Graduate 2019)

I was very well prepared at Woodside. Learning calculus in math was particularly helpful  for my Macro Economics Course. (Graduate 2019)

Civics and Economics and Math class influenced me to choose Finance and Accounting for my major. Woodside provided an excellent base for me to build on for this course. (Graduate 2019)

I got personalized and individualized college counseling at Woodside that helped me to get into my first choice college. (Graduate 2019)

One of the Top High Schools in San Francisco, CA

Looking for the top high school in San Francisco? Woodside International School of San Francisco offers an innovative UC-approved college prep curriculum with a multicultural, inclusive environment. What makes Woodside International School so different from other high schools in San Francisco is our very small class size, individualized approach to learning, as well as ample availability of 1-on-1 tutoring in all subjects.

Our student body comes from all over the world, ensuring a globalized experience for students. Students are offered a variety of liberal arts courses such as philosophy and art history, and electives include yearbook, art, music, and foreign language courses. ESL is offered as well. Our STEM focus offers accelerated and challenging learning. This prepares students well for the rigors of the University of California system. We also offer multiple financial aid packages for qualified students.

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Woodside International School Announces New Scholarships

Woodside International School is excited to announce new scholarship opportunities for incoming students:

• Emily Dickinson Scholarship for Writing
• First-to-College Scholarship
• Nikola Tesla STEM Scholarship
• Woodside City Ballet Scholarship
• Woodside International School Excellence Scholarship (WISE Scholarship)

We are offering these in addition to our existing payment plan options to make it easier for local Bay Area students to go to private school. Students awarded a scholarship must maintain a 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA throughout their high school years at Woodside International School.

The Emily Dickinson Writing Scholarship provides up to 50% of tuition to students who demonstrate excellence in writing. Each year up to three of these scholarships are awarded to incoming students. 

Each year the First-to-College Scholarship provides up to 50% of tuition for two incoming students who will be the first in their families to attend college. This scholarship has been created to provide aid to high-achieving student leaders interested in seeking a four-year college degree. 

The Nikola Tesla STEM Scholarship provides up to 50% of tuition to students who demonstrate excellence in one or all of the following areas: science, technology, engineering, math. Each year up to three STEM scholarships are awarded.

The Woodside City Ballet Scholarship provides academic merit-based scholarships of up to 50% and visa application documentation for students enrolling at City Ballet. Woodside offers a UC approved, college prep experience, ESL classes and support, and flexible scheduling for international dancers.

The Woodside International School Excellence (WISE) Scholarship provides up to 100% of tuition to students who demonstrate excellence in academics. Each year up to five WISE scholarships are awarded.

To apply or to learn more about these scholarship opportunities, please visit http://bit.ly/woodsideschol!

Woodside International School Field Trip to the California Academy of Sciences

Last month, Woodside students went on a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences. Here are some students’ experiences on the field trip:

• My experience at the Academy of Sciences was really good. I thought I learned a lot about new things that I didn’t know in the past. I also enjoyed getting to take a look at the birds which was really cool. Overall I thought my experience was really [good] because I think I learned so much after I haven’t been there for so long. It felt nice to be back to some place after four years. Overall I am going to say my experience was actually really amazing.
• This is the first time I went to the scientific laboratory to inspect and observe. It surprised me. Various animals and plants, colorful birds, penguins and various statues. Many creatures are things I have never seen before. Happy. The time is always short. We watched the video together, and the good day ended with everyone’s laughter.

• On 11/15/19, my classmates and I took a field trip to the Cal Academy of Sciences, which will never get old. Ever since I was a toddler, I’ve been visiting The California Academy of Sciences annually, sometimes more than once throughout the year, and I’ve always enjoyed it. Although I’ve been to majority of the exhibits, I still enjoy seeing my favorites, such as the Albino Alligator and the aquarium portion of the museum. I find the Academy’s unique environment appealing. From the live penguin exhibit to the Rainforest and the Planetarium domes, these aren’t things you’d see in your average science museum. My favorite part of this field trip was the Expedition Reef show at the Planetarium, which takes the audience underwater. The show gives you a better idea of how coral reefs function and provide homes for various sea life. I’ve been to the planetarium numerous times, but I’ve never watched anything that wasn’t related to space. The broadcast was very informative and the arched screen added more to the immersion. I’ve had many memories of going to the Academy and I look forward to making more in the future.
• On November 15, 2019 the High School known as Woodside International School went on a field trip to The Academy of Science. Upon arriving, the two teachers present, Dean Church (the history, current events, philosophy, etc… teacher) and Justine Bui (the science teacher), gave their students each an assignment to complete and a schedule, which told them what they were doing on that day and when and where they are to meet up. The assignment, given to them, was to go to the Finch habitat area and observe their movements. The students were to write down the observations that they made. The students were to pick one of the Finch’s and write down the peaceful or aggressive interactions it had with other Finches. Otherwise the students were able to do whatever they wanted until the given time shown in the schedule. So when it was 12:30 all the students gathered together at the Planetarium, to watch the show. The students were brought inside the Planetarium and seated in a 35 degrees, tilted, stands. After sitting down in the stands for a while until the show began. After turning off the lights they turned on video. The screen was in the shape of a huge dome. The video was about the ocean. About the animals that lives in it, the plant life, the disasters caused by humans, and the ways that humans can fix it. Afterwards the students were taken out of the Planetarium and went to a nearby gift shop.

• I’ve been there twice, and the things I see are basically the same, but this time I went with my new classmates, and I grew up, so it felt like something different. My favorite is the penguins and the butterflies in the rainforest. I believe there are birds in it but I don’t see them.
• I think we can go to these places and visit them very well. I hope to visit more science museums to visit more animals in the future so that I can learn more.

Individualized Learning with Small Class Sizes

Are you looking for a smaller high school in San Francisco? Woodside International School offers Customizable Education in a diverse, tolerant, compassionate environment. What makes us distinct: Small Class Size, 1-on-1 learning options, as well as tutoring.

Curious about Woodside? Schedule a Shadow Day Visit to get a feel for our school and see if it’s a fit! Just fill out the form at https://buff.ly/32FX5lo and we’ll be in touch!

SF Private School You Can Afford

Woodside International School offers flexible payment plans as well as financial aid to help families afford private school. We believe that all students should have access to high quality education, so we work with families to find a payment plan that works for them. Learn more at https://www.wissf.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/!

One of the Best High Schools in San Francisco

Woodside International School was founded over 40 years ago for the express purpose of providing world-class education for local and international students learning together. Our collaborative, inclusive approach cultivates a compassionate global community one student at a time. Schedule a tour of one of the Best High Schools in San Francisco, a Shadow Day Visit, or learn more about Woodside International School.

With a world-wide focus, Woodside alumni represent 18 different countries. Our graduates go on to top universities throughout the US. During their Woodside years, international students spend extensive time with ESL teachers in order to develop their understanding of language and to improve both written and oral communication in English. International students participate in math, science, and art classes with local students in order to encourage and facilitate cultural exchange among the entire student body. Our goal is for every international student to complete their Woodside education fully immersed in courses taught in English. Learn more about our International Student Program, After School Programs, Post-Graduate Year, or read our brochures.