City Arts and Tech High School

CAT is a school where the teachers and staff are unable to control the students...First off, they allow troubled youth into the school without conflict but students who are actually there for education and not as a hang out are being affected...My two chidren attend this school, one being a senior and the other being a sophomore...The problems started with my older child and although i thought she was part of the problem i quickly realized when my son began having the same problems when he started attending CAT. its almost as if the students that struggle academically seem to taunt and bully the students that are trying to succeed and when they defend themselves they get punished worse than the troublemakers. I only met the principal after 2 years since she was never present of active at the school. Finally, she will be replaced for the 2011-2012 school year but I as well as my children are fed up and we are looking for a new school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has major problems. It seems you can luck out and get excellent teachers who make the most of what they're given to work with, but unfortunately you will often find yourself with teachers who have good intentions but end up in a terrible situation in which they are unable to provide interesting content. At first CAT has made me feel great but but recent it has brought me to tears as it heads downhill. There is only one reason I continue to attend, he fact that the incredibly low standards and imperfect environment combine to make achieving the position as an "A student" in the eyes of a bureaucrat all but effortless. The struggle comes when you find yourself sitting through long boring classes, dealing with unreasonable teachers, and being locked inside a facility lacking in all the amenities taken advantage of in the outside world. I fully understand the degree of imperfection that leads me to having an outright disgust in the US school system, but even when judging City Arts and Tech based on what they have to work with, they all too often end up failing miserably.
—Submitted by a student

This school has only a handful of teachers the students actually respect. The students are loud, disruptive, and unruly, and the teachers have little and often no control over them. I found the experience upsetting =[
—Submitted by a student

No school is entirely prefect. City Arts & Tech (a new school, first graduating class 2008) comes extremely close. It is a tough school with fantastic opportunities. This school prepares students for college and life. They are currently working to providing more electives, but unbelievably, this is not a short fall, because students are provided with internships and electives that are challenging, creative and innovative. My student traveled to South America and Central America working on viable projects! My daughters are inspired by the young staff and encouraged by peers. One daughter came to CAT as a shy introvert; now she can deliver a speech to hundreds without preparation, and has dozens of loyal friends who have positive dreams and goals. The students are respectful, community conscious, happy individuals. City Arts & Tech (a small school) may not be for every child but my children have found nothing comparable.
—Submitted by a parent

City Arts and Tech. was the best exeperiance for 1 yr. After that it was a down hill slide that my me fall into a stressful, depressed, lack of hope in my life and future career. I felt like i was never good enough or never would amount to anything. i also felt that no one was listen to me and my ideas meant nothing. iturpirses me to see this school get such a good rating since the many youth dropped out or went to independence high. i feel that some of the teachers feel superior to the students makes a clam to be an istitution of equality. transfering out of C.A.T. was of big relife although i fear for the future of my peers who still atend this school. if theres anything i got from CAT it was good friends but i got them from sharing the same struggle CAT
—Submitted by a student

City Arts & Tech is a progressive, inclusive, charter high school located in San Francisco's Excelsior District. City Arts just moved into a beautiful new campus with plenty of room for academics, outside activities and sports. Academics are stressed heavily and preparation for admission to college is a priority goal. More than 90% of last year's graduating class went on to four year institutions. The school offers a wealth of outside internships and focuses on the intersection between art and technology. Our son has been very happy there and has made many fast friendships.
—Submitted by a parent

Aside from their groundbreaking community meetings (how DOES a school manage the incredibly diverse mixture of cultures successfully?), and their dedicated staff of teachers and administrators, there is their program, which includes internships for each and every student. My daughter, who loves to write, spent her internships at Dave Eggers Pirate Store and After School Tutoring Place in the Mission for one semester, as well as a well known independent publisher for another semester. How fabulous an opportunity! It made a great impression helping to bolster her confidence in her own skills. My daughter graduated with the CAT inaugural class of 2008 and, along with many others, is off to college. Good schools are hard to find. this, if it fits your child's style, is a good one.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been thrilled with City Arts and Tech. It has been a wonderful school for our son. He had a bad experience in the past with a large, institutional middle school and we knew that he would need a smaller high school with more personal attention. CAT has exceeded our expectations. The teachers and other staff obviously care about their students. Our son has been encouraged to reach his fullest creative, personal, and academic potential.
—Submitted by a parent

City arts & tech is one of the best schools in san francisco. The envirornment the staff creates for the students there is wonderful. It feels like a communnity, unlike other public or charter schools in san francisco. The teachers really can identify with most of the students due to the fact that they're all very young. They have a unique way of teaching, & the classroom isn't all serious & up tight like most schools. But don't get me wrong we do learn. They make sure of it.
—Submitted by a student

I have been through two different high school with my other children, and this is by far the best that I have encountered. It challenges my son and makes him really think about how he's going to prepare his thesis. He's a junior now. I would recommend this school, but only if their child is not into sports, otherwise they will be disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the perfect environment for a student that comes from a small school. The teachers are very involved and close with their students so the kids don't fall through the cracks. My daughter's advisor calls me to let me know how she is doing, something I really appreciate. Their main focus is for the students to attend a 4 year college immediately after school so they make sure the students have passing grades by helping the students accomplish this through out the school year. This is a great school with great teachers and a diverse community.
—Submitted by a parent

I will start off by saying that the 150 word limit here will not even begin to describe CAT. My daughter went into CAT from a catholic school, and we weren't sure how she would adjust. She wanted to go to SI and SH, but we had her consider CAT. Once she got in, it was clear this was the right place. She is extremely close with many of her teachers and the principal, and has gone from a removed student to an active and excited student. Her grades have risen and we couldn't be happier. Their emphasis on public speaking is amazing, and many a students' presentations at exhibition nights have topped seminars at the workplace. Also, you can't beat the sense of community they have here!
—Submitted by a parent

CAT is a great little jewel of a school that gets high marks for diversity, community, and academics. The staff is dedicated and very approachable. They really care about the kids and the school is small enough so no one slips through the cracks. We feel lucky to have our son there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at CAT since the school opened 3 years ago and is now beginning his Junior year. While there are growing pains (we are quickly out growing our space)we couldn't be happier with our choice of school. The staff are professional and very dedicated. The classes are small ( about 20 kids)and the teachers really know the students. The principal has a vision of growth and is very commited to seeing it through. There are plenty of opportunities for parent involvement. Down side is there are no sports or drama programs currently.
—Submitted by Tracy Barrantes-Allio, a parent

CAT has a very committed staff of teachers and administrators. We have found that our son gets a lot of support from both, especially his teachers. It is a small school with a very supportive community. CAT is quite new, turning three years old, which has provided us an excellent opportunity to make a difference in his educational experience. The parents and guardians are quite involved as we discover how best to support our kids and teachers. The principle, Josh Brankman, is very good building an excellent staff of qualified and caring teachers. As a new school we are still working on growing extracurricular activities as we look to what local resources we have as well as student interests. There is an excellent arts program available on site. Small class size, motivated students and excellent teachers make for a great educational environment.
—Submitted by Michael Dotson, a parent

Our experience with City Arts & Technology has been overwhelmingly positive. Small class sizes encourage an atmosphere of intimacy, wherein teachers are able to focus on students as individuals, addressing their problems and encouraging their achievements as needed, in a more personal manner than traditional schools would allow. CAT s emphases on college preparation, technological dexterity and critical, analytical thinking, as well as artistic expression, combined with a sense of community and mutual support offer a rare and exciting learning experience. A youthful, highly skilled, vibrant staff, a stimulating, safe, nurturing environment, hands-on leadership by a principal committed to excellence, and a student body comprised of young people who know and care about where they are, and the things that are being accomplished makes us proud, and happy to be a part of the CAT community.
—Submitted by Victor Wills, a parent