Silicon Valley International School - Willows vs The International School of San Francisco - Oak Campus

	S Silicon Valley International School - Willows San Francisco, United States	T The International School of San Francisco - Oak Campus San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $39,970 - 49,130	Fees / year $45,168 - 64,721
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, German Curriculum, Taiwan 108 Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 811	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin, French, German	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 1988	Opened 1962
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Oak Campus: 150 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; Maternelle/Page Campus: 1155 Page Street, San Francisco, CA 94117.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Preschool/ Maternelle; Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 8); High School.
School type	School type —	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Learning Services are provided by learning specialists who collaborate with students, teachers, and families to support the learning process and identify when extra help is needed. Accommodations may include extended time on tests, extra breaks, a separate testing space, the use of calculators or portable word processors, assistive technology, peer tutoring, and referrals to qualified evaluators or outside professionals when contracted by the family.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation France; AEFE-affiliated French international school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure High School operates on a period-based schedule with start times around 8:10 a.m. and day end around 4:25 p.m. Periods 1–8 run with a lunch break from 12:00 to 12:50; Period 9 exists for French Baccalaureate students only.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application fees - There is no separate general admissions application fee posted for submissions through the Ravenna admissions portal; families use Ravenna to create an account and submit application materials. For families applying for need-based financial aid, the Clarity financial-aid application carries a submission fee of USD 65. Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027 academic year) - PK2 through Grade 8 (single tuition band for PK2–Grade 8): - Advance Plan (one annual payment): USD 45,168 per year. - TenPay Plan (ten monthly payments): USD 46,268 total per year, divided into ten equal monthly installments (June 2026 through March 2027). This equals USD 4,626.80 per monthly installment. - High School (Grades 9–12): - Advance Plan (one annual payment): USD 63,621 per year. - TenPay Plan (ten monthly payments): USD 64,721 total per year, divided into ten equal monthly installments (June 2026 through March 2027). This equals USD 6,472.10 per monthly installment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Families choose a payment plan at enrollment: the Advance Plan (one annual payment) or the TenPay Plan (ten monthly payments). The TenPay Plan runs June 2026 through March 2027. The Advance Plan requires a single payment by June 1, 2026 to receive the Advance discount. - Two non-refundable fees are required with the enrollment agreement to reserve a space: a 5% Tuition Deposit (credited toward tuition) and a one-time USD 2,000 Enrollment Fee. These fees are non-refundable. - Families must select a payment plan at the time of enrollment and the school may require an initial portion of tuition and the Enrollment Fee to be paid before the first day of school (billing and enrollment deadlines are enforced through the Business Office). Finance charges may be assessed on past-due balances; a returned-check processing fee is applied if applicable. Boarding fees (if applicable) - Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school with before- and after-school care and extracurricular programs offered for additional fees. Before- and after-school care is available for an additional charge where noted in division program materials. Other costs and fees - Enrollment Fee: one-time USD 2,000 due with the enrollment agreement (non-refundable). - Tuition Deposit: non-refundable 5% of the tuition amount, due with the enrollment agreement and credited toward tuition. - Optional and extracurricular program fees: the school limits additional charges to voluntary/extracurricular activities and certain consumables; these charges are billed separately (typically monthly) when they apply. Examples include after-school care, certain extended-day activities, optional trips or global-travel program charges, arts or athletics activity fees, and consumables. - Returned-check fee and late-payment handling: a returned-check fee applies (USD 20 in earlier published tuition materials) and finance charges may be assessed for late or delinquent accounts; billing practices are administered by the Business Office. Refund information - The Tuition Deposit and the one-time Enrollment Fee are non-refundable. Tuition may be prorated on a monthly basis for students who join after the start of the academic year; billing adjustments for mid-year entry are handled by the Business Office. Finance charges may be applied to past-due balances. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods include automated or online bank payments (ACH from checking/savings) and credit/debit card payments. Installment payments (TenPay) are processed by automated monthly withdrawals or other automated mechanisms as required by the Business Office. The school's tuition portal (FACTS/tuition and fees portal) is used to manage payment plans and automated withdrawals. Business Office contact and billing administration - The Business Office administers payment plans, billing inquiries, returned-check handling, and past-due account management. Families with billing questions should contact the Business Office at the school for account-specific details.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is provided by families at the Maternelle campus; snacks are provided by families on a rotating schedule; sample snacks include cheese sticks & crackers, fruit platters & crackers, or butter & baguette.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Homologated by the French Ministry of National Education and a partner of AEFE and the MLF.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details Maternelle provides bilingual immersion from age 2 (PK2) through Kindergarten, with French immersion initially at about 80%–90% and language development in English and French. Lower School continues French language development, while the program blends U.S. educational practices with the French national curriculum Cycle System (Cycle 1). The five learning domains are: language (English and French), arts, mathematics, exploration of the world, and physical activity, with strong social-emotional development and differentiated instruction. In Middle and High School, students choose between two tracks: International Track, which leads to the IB Diploma, and French Track, which leads to the French Baccalaureate, with some subjects offered in French for bilingual students. The High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program, including a bilingual IB Diploma, and the French Baccalaureate.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Grade 9 students prepare the Brevet des Collèges, a French national exam. Successful completion of the French Baccalaureate provides a diploma equivalent to completion of High School in France. The International High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program, including a bilingual IB Diploma option. The IB Diploma is organized around groups 1–6 with core elements such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and there is an option to earn a bilingual IB Diploma.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression College Counseling helps students identify colleges that fit their intellectual, social, and emotional needs. By pursuing either the International Baccalaureate or the French Baccalaureate, graduates earn internationally recognized diplomas. Alumni are currently enrolled in higher education institutions around the world and across the United States.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school offers a social-emotional learning program that develops empathetic listening, cooperative teamwork, and responsible behavior; counselors provide drop-in and brief counseling, and an in-class Social and Emotional Learning program supports student well-being.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The Learning Services team includes learning specialists who collaborate with students, teachers, and families to support learning; accommodations may include extended time on tests, extra breaks, a separate testing room, use of calculators, portable word processors or computers, peer tutoring, and assistive technology; referrals to outside evaluators and professionals are available when needed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The International Track in High School serves non-French-speaking students and provides pathways toward the IB Diploma; more than half of students entering International High School do not speak French.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Counseling services include drop-in and brief individual counseling, crisis intervention, study-skills workshops, and liaison with outside mental health resources; there is an in-class Social and Emotional Learning program and in-class sex education and bullying-prevention efforts; school counseling is confidential with certain legal exceptions related to child protection.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Counseling services are confidential with exceptions required by law for child protection; there is an in-class bullying prevention program; a dedicated Student Support Team provides counseling and learning-support staff across levels to monitor and support student safety and well-being.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The school has a main Hayes Valley campus housed in a six-story building with bright classrooms and city views. The roof is covered with solar modules producing power for campus operations. Across the street, athletic facilities include indoor and outdoor basketball courts. The Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion is a three-story building nearby that houses the visual and performing arts center. The Maternelle/Preschool operates on a separate campus at 1155 Page Street, and the Oak Campus is located at 150 Oak Street.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The athletic facilities include indoor and outdoor basketball courts.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion houses the visual and performing arts center. The main Hayes Valley campus features bright classrooms with city views. The Oak Campus is located at 150 Oak Street.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion supports arts-related extracurricular activities. Athletic facilities across the street support athletic programs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History The International School of San Francisco is the city's oldest and largest bilingual school and was the first in the city to offer the International Baccalaureate, the fourth in the United States to do so. It began as the French-American Bilingual School (FABS), founded in 1962 by nine San Francisco Bay Area residents with close ties to France and opened in 1963. The school moved campuses several times—from Vincente Street in 1965 to Grove Street in 1967—and the high school program began in 1978, adopting the International Baccalaureate. In 1994 the school relocated to 150 Oak Street, and in 1995 the high school was renamed International High School. The Maternelle opened at 1155 Page Street in 2014; in 2024-2025 it renamed to The International School of San Francisco to reflect its bilingual and international mission.
Community	Community —	Community ISF hosts a year‑round calendar of community events, including an August Back‑to‑School Picnic, Grandparents and Grand Friends Day in November, and the Community Salon Series on topics such as biotechnology, neuroscience, political engagement, AI, and intellectual property as part of its Urban Engagement Program. There are monthly Principals Coffees for parents and regular Parent Education sessions to support families. PoSoC, a monthly affinity space for parents of students of color, and schoolwide service activities such as Days of Service and a Schoolwide Day of Service are also part of campus life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association All parents are members of the Parent Association, a volunteer organization that supports The International School of San Francisco by working with school leadership to engage parents and promote community, cooperation, and involvement. Parents can chaperone field trips, lead admissions tours, or chair fundraising events. The 2025‑2026 Executive Committee includes Co‑Presidents Pelin Cinar and Matt Hicks, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer, and Volunteer Coordinator, as well as Section Vice Presidents for High School, Middle School, Lower School, and Maternelle, and Grade Representatives for each grade.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Over 40 student-created clubs exist at The International School of San Francisco, with students leading clubs from formation to events. Scholarly clubs include math, politics, tutoring, and a range of academic-interest groups; there are broader opportunities such as Debate Club, Model United Nations, and a student-run radio station. The Inkwell is the student-run literary and arts magazine, with submissions in languages other than English welcome. TedxFAIHS provides an on-campus TEDx-style platform for student ideas.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Theater program is robust, encompassing performing, design, and stagecraft, with productions that let students explore acting, directing, and script writing while gaining hands-on experience in set design, lighting, and costume creation. The Back à Dos Theater Company produces five major shows each year, with students involved in all aspects, including backstage work. Visual Arts includes Lower School drawing and painting, with media exploration, photography, video, and inquiry-based learning, and studio hours at lunchtime and after school for projects beyond class. Seniors in the IB program display their work in an IB Showcase in March.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Affinity Groups provide spaces for students to connect around shared identities, with Lower School, Middle School, and High School groups listed (including Grade 3–5, and Middle School and High School alliances). Diversity Councils lead assemblies and initiatives around diversity and inclusion, including screenings, displays, and discussion clubs. Model United Nations offers opportunities for students to research countries and write position papers for conferences. The Inkwell, the student-run literary magazine, welcomes submissions in languages other than English.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The club scene is vibrant and student-driven, with more than 40 clubs that cover activism, film, baking, hiking, and gardening. Scholarly clubs include math, politics, and tutoring, and hobby clubs span Chess Club, Photography Club, Book Club, Anime Club, and Exposer Student Newspaper. Songs for Senegal is a yearlong fundraising tradition led by students to support their sister school in Senegal.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Service learning runs through Lower School, Middle School, and High School, with opportunities to engage in community initiatives that support education and neighborhood vitality. The Community Service Steering Committee coordinates on-campus service projects and invites student involvement, including advisory representation on the committee. Students participate in off-campus service with Glide, 826 Valencia, Habitat for Humanity, and other organizations, and IB students complete CAS hours as part of the IB program.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership opportunities include Affinity Groups, Student Council, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Model United Nations, Diversity Councils, the Community Service Steering Committee, the Literary Magazine, and TedxFAIHS. These structures foster student leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and service across Lower School through High School.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Athletics are fully integrated into the school experience, with student-athletes participating in competitive team sports across three athletic seasons. The program emphasizes mind, body, and character, developing leadership and sportsmanship while honoring cultural diversity and gender equity. The athletic department supports a strong sense of community and school pride.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English and French are the languages taught. In Maternelle, language development occurs in English and French, with end-of-Kindergarten reading in French and basic reading in English. In Lower School, a bilingual curriculum blends U.S. and French education, with English literacy and French literacy taught and by the end of Cycle 2 students read in English and French; by the end of Cycle 3 they can study academic subjects in both languages. In High School, all students take four years of English, the International Track offers bilingual courses including some in French, and beginner-level Chinese and French are available as additional languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in English and French. The Maternelle program offers a French bilingual immersion environment beginning at age 2 for PK2, PK3, and PK4. In Lower School, students learn in both English and French. High School offers the International Baccalaureate or French Baccalaureate, with the International Track providing bilingual learning and some courses in French.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs French bilingual immersion is embedded from Maternelle through Lower School. Maternelle begins with 80% French immersion. In Lower School, French immersion is 80% in Grades 1-2 and 50% in Grade 3. In High School, the bilingual framework continues with the International Track, which includes courses taught in French.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations IB World School – Authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; first in California and fourth in the United States to be authorized (1979); first west of the Mississippi to receive this recognition. IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) – Candidate School; pursuing authorization. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) – regional accrediting/approval body. National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) – national association for independent schools. European Council of International Schools (ECIS) – international school association. Council of International Schools (CIS) – international accreditation network. California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) – California state independent school association. Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) – supports French education abroad. Ministère de l'Éducation nationale (MEN) – French government education ministry affiliation. Mission Laïque Française Monde (MLF Monde) – network affiliated with French language international education.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions Maternelle/Preschool Admissions Step 1: Create a Ravenna account to keep track of all admissions tasks. Ravenna is the online application site used to manage applications, events, decisions, and to monitor your progress. Step 2: Save the date. Starting September 1, you may register for a school day tour and/or our Saturday Open House. Step 3: Apply. Submit your application and family questionnaire, and the Student Evaluation Form if applicable. Step 4: Classroom visit and playdate. PK2 and PK3 applicants are invited on a weekday, while PK4 applicants join a Saturday visit with other children in January or February. Step 5: Schedule your parent interview. Parent conversations begin in November and continue through February and can be conducted in person or on Zoom. Sibling/Faculty/Alumni Applicants Step 1: Create a Ravenna account. Step 2 (Optional): Schedule a tour or attend an admission event. Tours begin in early October. Step 3: Submit your child's application on Ravenna by the November 1, 2025 deadline. Step 4: In December, children are invited for a Saturday classroom visit with other prospective students and our teachers at the Page Campus. PK2 applicants will have their visit in February. Long Distance Applicants We welcome applications from families relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area. Our admissions procedures are essentially the same as for local applicants, except all meetings are held via Zoom if the family cannot be in San Francisco during the application period. Evaluations are tailored to family travel constraints. Potential applicants from overseas should contact our Associate Director of Admissions, Karine Luguet. Students from public, independent, and parochial schools are admitted on the basis of academic records and other data. Our admission policies are non-discriminatory. Lower and Middle School Admissions Step 1: Explore. Create a Ravenna account to keep track of everything on the admissions to-do list. Step 2: Submit your Parent/Guardian Application Form. Starting September 1, you may register for a school day tour and/or our Saturday Open House. Step 3: Sign up for the Parent Interview. Submit your application, family questionnaire, and Student Evaluation Form (two forms are needed for Grades 6-8). Step 4: Sign up for a Visit/Assessment Day. Kindergarten applicants are invited to a Saturday visit; Grades 1–8 will join on a weekday. Step 5: Sign up for the Student Interview. Schedule your parent conversation. Parent conversations begin in November and continue through February, and can be conducted in person or on Zoom. Step 6: Delegate the Teacher Recommendation Form. For Grades 1–8, request official transcripts and schedule the Student Interview with our Middle School Principal (Grades 6–8 only). Sibling/Faculty/Alumni Applicants Step 1: Create a Ravenna account. Step 2 (Optional): Schedule a tour or attend an admission event. Tours begin in early October. Step 3: Submit your child's application on Ravenna by the November 1, 2025 deadline. Step 4: In December, children are invited for a Saturday classroom visit with other prospective students and our teachers at Page Campus. Long Distance Applicants We welcome applications from families relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area. Our admissions procedures are essentially the same as for local applicants, except all meetings are held via Zoom if the family will not be in San Francisco physically during the application period. Evaluations are tailored to family travel constraints. Potential applicants from overseas should contact our Associate Director of Admissions, Karine Luguet. Students from public, independent, and parochial schools are admitted to The International School of San Francisco on the basis of academic records and other data. Our admission policies are non-discriminatory. Important Dates (illustrative; see site for full timeline) Decisions released electronically; Enrollment deadline for financial aid recipients; Enrollment contract deadlines.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Aid Application Process Step 1: Go to Clarity and sign up. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The Clarity submission has a $65 fee and can be shared with additional schools that accept Clarity. Step 2: Begin your Clarity application and add The International School of San Francisco. Step 3: Complete your Clarity application and pay the $65 fee. Step 4: Complete the Clarity Enhanced Tax Verification (ETV) process to release W-2 and personal tax return transcripts by signing Form 8821 or using IRS.gov. Step 5: Submit your Clarity application and upload any additional supporting documents. Non-U.S. tax filers should upload income verification and other required documents. International tax information for 2025 must be available by February 15, 2026. Returning and new families deadlines are published in Clarity. Need-Based Scholarships Financial assistance is awarded on the basis of need and the family's potential contribution, based on Clarity's data and household guidelines. The school aims to meet demonstrated need where possible, but resources may not cover the full need. Timely submission of documents is critical because awards are made within a constrained timeframe. All information provided during the financial aid process is kept confidential. French Government Scholarships Applicants may pursue French Government scholarships through the Consulate; complete the school's Financial Aid process and contact Mireille Gaonac'h or the Financial Aid office for assistance. The Consulate's deadlines and processes apply, including a February deadline for certain years. All information is kept confidential. Financial Aid Details and Aids The school's financial aid program includes need-based awards, with average grants cited (e.g., around $28,000 for Maternelle families and higher amounts for other divisions) and a track record of significant aid funding (several million dollars annually). The Clarity application is used to determine need, and the school aims to meet the demonstrated need of admitted or enrolled families where possible. Citations: Maternelle admissions details, Lower/Middle admissions details, High School admissions details, and Tuition & Financial Aid pages from the ISSF site.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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