The Brandeis School of San Francisco Viewbook by The Brandeis School of San Francisco

We All Make it Matter

At Brandeis we embrace our obligation to find meaning in our daily pursuits. Our rigorous academic program is inquiry-based, steeped in a learning philosophy designed to prompt questions and deep discussion at every age.

Our outstanding teachers find new ways to integrate Jewish themes into all areas of the curriculum, with space for diverse voices and perspectives. Our students strive to do their best, even in difficult situations, and don’t take their education for granted.

Our Program

Challenging academics and masterful teaching are at the core of what we do. Brandeis students benefit from an academic program that emphasizes smallgroup instruction and supports multiple entry points into learning for each child. All subjects are designed to provide “low-floor, high-ceiling” activities so that children can engage with the material at a level that is demanding but still within reach. Our teachers model curiosity and collaboration, working in cross-discipline teams to integrate our values into every part of the curriculum.

“Knowledge is fostered by curiosity. Wisdom is fostered by awe.”

– RABBI ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL

Confident and Resilient

At Brandeis, we believe that resilience is a critical life skill that can only be developed by taking risks and learning from one’s mistakes. Surrounded by caring, dedicated faculty and staff members, students are pushed to step outside their comfort zones. They learn to experience not only the exhilaration of success, but the maturity that comes from knowing you can always try again.

Spiritual and Spirited

An education grounded in Jewish principles provides students with a framework to question and make sense of the world around them. Wrestling with ancient texts and traditions asks students to consider why certain teachings endure over generations, and to explore their relevance today. Immersed in a culture that values grit, boldness, and reflection, our graduates leave Brandeis with a powerful belief in their ability to make a difference and do right by others. They know that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

“The demand for justice runs through the entirety of the Jewish tradition.”

– RUTH BADER GINSBURG

Inclusive and Welcoming

At Brandeis our top priority is to create an environment where every child and adult feels a profound sense of belonging. Our community is made up of families from a wide variety of ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identities, including many who are new to the Bay Area or just beginning their Jewish journey. Our tuition assistance program reflects our commitment to ensuring that Brandeis students come from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, and our progressive, pluralistic philosophy allows LGBTQ+ students, teachers, parents, and staff to bring their authentic selves to campus each day.

Thoughtful and Inquisitive

We believe that children find meaning through critical engagement with everything they encounter in the classroom and beyond. Brandeis students are invited to begin by asking questions, always, because our goal is to cultivate in each child a curious spirit and a thirst for knowledge. Our curriculum is aimed at developing the habits of mind—optimism, wonder, tenacity—that will distinguish them as lifelong learners.

After-School Activities

Our after-school program is open to students in all grades and provides a safe, supervised environment where they can study, play, or simply recharge on school grounds from the end of their school day until 6 p.m. Our campus hums with activity all afternoon, with teams practicing, band, chorus, and musical theater groups rehearsing, and students enjoying unstructured time in the DEN, a dedicated art and design space near the gym. Some students also elect to sign up for special enrichment programs like dance, cooking, or chess, which vary by season and grade level.

Transportation

Brandeis students come from all over the Bay Area, including San Mateo and Marin counties. We offer express morning and afternoon bus service from the Castro, Noe Valley, and neighborhoods north of Golden Gate Park, as well as a late afternoon bus to Noe Valley and Laurel Heights. Many families choose to set up carpools, and our large parking lot allows for convenient, safe drop-off and pickup throughout the day.

Athletics

Athletics are an integral part of our educational program, allowing students to learn valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. Starting in 5th grade, students can participate in cross country, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track and field. Brandeis Lions varsity and junior varsity teams compete in the BAIAL and CYO leagues, earning regular playoff slots. Many students as young as Kindergarten take part in city-wide and club teams organized by parent volunteers and coaches.

The athletics program complements our curriculum, reinforcing Brandeis community values around collaboration, fair play, and learning to win (and lose) with grace and humility.

Life after Brandeis

High schools welcome and actively recruit our graduates, not just for their academic promise, but also for their reputation as thoughtful, civic-minded young adults. With individualized guidance from their teachers and high school placement counselor, our students are able to make a seamless transition to life after Brandeis. Armed with self-awareness and a love of learning, they are routinely admitted to the most selective high schools in the Bay Area.

Our Campus

Secure, modern, two acre campus near Lake Merced, Fort Funston, and San Francisco State University

Bright, spacious classrooms with flexible layouts and outdoor gardens

2,800 square foot library and multimedia center

Woodworking shop, CREATE (maker education) space, and fine art studio

State-of-the-art science center and laboratory

Acoustically designed music room for band, chorus, and a cappella

Quick Facts

Beit Midrash multi-purpose space for seminars, grade-level tefillah, community meetings, and theatre

Dedicated art and activity room for after-school program

Regulation-sized gymnasium and outdoor athletics courts

Exclusive-use playground for Lower School Light-filled lobby for events and performances

Ample parking and easy access to Highway 280

Founded: 1963

Grades: K–8th

Enrollment: 350

Student-to-Teacher

Ratio: 7:1

School Hours: 8:15 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Kindergarten) 8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m. (1st–8th)

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; California Association of Independent Schools

Foreign Languages: Hebrew (K–5th); Choice of Hebrew or Spanish (6th–8th)

Transportation: Morning and after-school bus from Laurel Heights, The Richmond, The Castro, and Noe Valley; Late afternoon bus to Noe Valley and Laurel Heights.

Tuition Assistance: We are committed to making a Brandeis education accessible to any child who is admitted. Nearly 50% of Brandeis families receive some amount of financial aid.

Our Mission

The Brandeis School of San Francisco inspires students to lead lives of learning and purpose. We provide a challenging academic environment and a welcoming, inclusive community, each deeply enriched by Jewish thought, values, and traditions.