San Francisco Pacific Academy

3301 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States

K-8 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)

Private day school

The school teaches in English and Russian, with half of the classes conducted in English and half in Russian. Literacy in a bilingual environment is central to the school's approach. Student achievement is the chief priority of the school. The school is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). The school offers enrichment classes such as Dance Class, Chess Club, Art Class, and Vocal Class.

Class sizes are small, with no more than 12 students per class.

SSAT score range: 2054–2388.

The school emphasizes social skills development, including self-control, self-esteem, self-respect, self-motivation, conflict resolution, cultural diversity awareness, and acceptance. The mission describes a safe, orderly and nurturing multicultural environment that supports intellectual development and responsibility.

Literacy in a bilingual environment is emphasized, with written and oral communication in several languages.

1. Open House visits: Visit San Francisco Pacific Academy for a weekday Open House Tour to see students and faculty in action. Open Houses are held on Wednesdays, start at 11:00, and last about one hour. The tours are led by Eleonora Nayberg, the Head of School, with help from 5th and 6th grade students who are the “connoisseurs” of life at SFPA, and at the end the Head of School answers questions.

2. Admission Test and required materials (K-1 pathway): After a preliminary visit, schedule a student evaluation, or Admission Test. The test day is a weekday at 8:30am, lasts 30 minutes, and is conducted one-on-one with a teacher. Download the Admission Test Request Form, indicate three preferred dates, and mail it back with a $50 Admission Test fee; once received, you will receive an email confirming the date. The Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form (required) must be printed, signed by the parent/guardian, completed by the child's preschool or current school, and returned to SFPA before the scheduled test.

3. Evaluation and age requirements (K-1): The Kindergarten applicant must be five years old by September 1. In addition to the test, the Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form is required and must be completed by the child's current school before testing.

4. 2-8 admission pathway notes (CTP5/SSAT): Beginning in third grade, SFPA conducts CTP5 testing as part of its evaluation framework, with SSAT used in the eighth grade for secondary school admissions.

5. Application timing and decisions (general): Families may submit application materials for the upcoming school year starting November 1, and to be considered in the first round, materials should be submitted by January 17. The decision letters are mailed within a week after the test date, and families are given a week to reflect before deciding. If space is unavailable, families may be placed on a waiting list.

6. Teacher evaluations and recommendations (K-1 and 2-8): Teacher evaluations from the child's current school are required as part of the application, and additional letters of recommendation are neither expected nor required.

7. Waiting list specifics (general): Being placed on the waiting list means enrollment may be offered if space becomes available; spaces are typically known after April 17, but openings can occur in spring and summer, and the Admissions Office will contact families who stay on the list.

Being placed on the waiting list means enrollment may be offered if space becomes available. Normally, spaces become available shortly after April 17, but sometimes openings occur in spring and summer. The Admissions Office will contact families who remain on the waiting list if a space becomes available.