Lilienthal (Claire) Elementary School

I used to go to CL and i transfered to a private school which i absolutely love. This school has terrible teachers and is mostly for students that fall behind.

It's true if you have a typical kid you might be A. O.K. but if your kid excels in a particular discipline, good luck getting any instruction targeted to your kid's ability. The principal seems to have mastered every way to say "your on your own" without ever saying so. Also and in the mean time be ready to empty your pockets with this, that, and the other thing, but not instruction to your or any advanced kid. Pitiful. Teachers seem good natured and generally agreeable but for the most part their hands are tied to CLA's that shoot toward advancing API scores directed by the Principal and Vice that keep your curious kid from shooting for the stars. Unfortunate and disappointing.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school! Our daughter started kindergarten this fall and has been challenged and happy. She's progressing rapidly in her skills relative to preschool. Our teacher is very talented and committed, emails us all the time. Lots of opportunity for parent involvement which we have been able to take advantage of. Also, we enrolled 3 days in the after school program, CLASP, which our daughter LOVES! All of the parents I have met are highly enthusiastic about the school and committed to supporting it. Claire Lilienthal is a wonderful, wonderful place!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school if you don t care if your kids learn anything. I have two kids in the school and last year they stopped teaching the minute they completed the standardized test. My daughter s class watched a Disney film while my son s class went bowling. Again at the beginning of this year my daughter s class watched another movie. CL strives for mediocrity. This appears to be a common problem with San Francisco schools where the goal is to integrate children regardless of their abilities and/or psychological needs. But with CL they fail to challenge the kids. As a result kids who may excel in one area such as math or reading are ignored. The school does have great teachers and the principle pays lip service to parents concerns. But what the school lacks is a standardized curriculum that makes sure the kids are on a path to learn the material but also a way to help both the kids who are above average as well as those who are failing behind or have psychological issues. In addition, they make it difficult to participate as a volunteer unless you have experience working in a sweat shop then you can help manufacture some bedspreads for the fund raiser.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started K and we are blown away so far. Caring, committed teachers and staff, highly involved parents, and a warm and respectful environment. We feel very lucky to be here.
—Submitted by a parent

For an SF public school, CL is probably better than some, however, is is still a SF public school, they all have their unique problems. My 2 children are not pushed academically, rather shuffled through because they don't cause problems. Teachers are overworked and spend much of their time with the problem students. CL is supposed to be a parent participation school, but when I asked my 1st graders teacher on multiple occasions throughout the year to volunteer in the classroom, I was never given the opportunity. While there are outstanding teachers in every school, I would say there are teachers at CL need to be replaced. The split between campuses, while nice in a sense to keep the k-2 separate, creates a strange dichotomy with the school community. I would say that CL is still teaching to the test, doing the best it can with the curriculum, but there is enormous room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Sounds like one parent had one bad experience and wrote an extremely harsh review. Ouch! My experience of Mr Hack is completely different He is caring and a good communicator with an open door policy. Knows all the kids by name and tries to reach out to them.
—Submitted by a parent

We love the school!!! Great teachers and community!! Our son is VERY happy there, he has learned so much. His teachers keep him constantly challenged while fostering his self confidence and love of learning. The parent association is extremely involved and has done a tremendous job. We cannot recommend it more!!
—Submitted by a parent

The parents and school staff work together to make a great school for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a great school with a wonderful reputation in San Francisco. The principal, teachers, and most importantly, Parents all understand and work together to ensure our children have a well-rounded education even if the government will not help pay for it. My kids have enjoyed it and I highly recommend it. Thanks Lilienthal!
—Submitted by a parent

We are now in our fifth year at CLS. Overall, the quality of the instruction that we have experienced has been excellent. The teachers we are dedicated and honoring of each child. The students' families work hard to contribute where and what they can to help make up for what is no longer covered by the state budget, from PE to the Arts. From our experience, it continues to be a great public school. And, of course, there's always room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

As a African American Parent who's child attends Claire Lilienthal, the missing piece is lack of diversity. There is only one African American staff member (teacher's aide). I would like to see more staff diversity to meet the needs of minority students. The teachers are mediocre. The teachers are very receptive to parent participation in the classroom from my experience. This was one of the reasons I choose this school due to the model of parent involvement. It appears to be a class system of the haves and have nots. The wealthy parents seem to be more respected than the regular working class parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been in this school K-8. (I'm in 8th grade now) and I would like to say how this is the best public school in the bay area for any child to go to without a doubt. The school is simply outstanding with what it does with parent involvement despite outrageous budget cuts by the state. Yes, im only 13. I am applying to the top high schools with the great preparation this school has given me.
—Submitted by a student

I agree with the last parent to write about Lilienthal. This school is in an extremely desirable/safe part of S.F.. I wanted my child to go there for that reason, as did the other parents I came to know at Claire. Safety is a priority in S.F.. Claire was in transition the whole enrollment of my child-7 years. Going through 3/4 principals. I feel there are teachers that really care and give their best, I felt overall there were more that did not. Sadly. Hooray for the parent involvement, they are welcomed,needed, and be prepared to give! Unfortunately, some teachers fought against music class, and we had no art classes. No AP classes in middle school. FYI: gifted students are not given more challenging work, than the other students, the 'Honors' that show on report cards, is there if they have good grades from regular curriculum. More high school/college prep is really needed here.
—Submitted by a parent

I read the review posted most recently and I am assuming it is not written by a parent as it suggests. or, it is written by an enthusiastic parent, one who appreciates their child attending a school that is safe, clean; where children are generally respected and parents are able to participate in making it a better school than were parents discouraged from helping. But the school is still in transition regarding the quality of education at the Middle School level. By contrast, there are no AP offerings at the school as one would find at a significantly larger school, such as A.P. Giannini or Presidio, where students who have achieved a level of excellence can prepare for matriculation in a better high school in the SFUSD system. That is simply not the case with Claire Lilienthal.
—Submitted by a parent

Claire Lilienthal s high test scores get better each year. The teachers are magnificent and motivate the children to learn and explore through hands-on activities. Parent involvement is strong and enhances opportunities for the children and supports the teachers in daily projects. Claire Lilienthal ranks at the top with top private schools in San Francisco which is one reason the demand for a seat is high. The school offers strong academics, a wonderful art curriculum, over-qualified yet passionate teachers, a language immersion program, a variety of sports for grades K-8, AP middle school classes, a safe environment and diversity. I'm glad I pressed to get my children into CLS. It was worth every ounce of stress. Good luck future parents!
—Submitted by a parent

I will be entering 7th grade in the fall, and I have to say, my curriculum has been mediocre. I am a certified GATE student and I have gone to Center for Talented Youth summer camp for the past two years. The elementary school is pretty good. Most teachers are nice and enthusiastic. Once you reach middle school, though, it gets worse. I was not challenged at all. There is no GATE program, although supposedly there is. I spent most of my 'oh-so-fun' days of 6th grade doodling and staring at the wall. The middle school teachers are ok for mediocre to low scoring students, but teachers are supposed to recognize the needs of every student. Despite these problems, there has always been a sense of community at school. If you are planning to send your kid to a rigorous high school, I would suggest outside help, such as tutors.
—Submitted by a student

Goling primarily by test scores and location, I set my heart on Claire Lilienthal, and after many false starts, finally got both of my kids in. Sadly, however, I find the greatest advantage of this school is the involved parents, rather than any inspired teaching or great curriculum. Probably like most public schools these days, there is great emphasis on test scores, and particularly, any areas in need of improvement. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of celebrating and fostering any areas of strength. Very middle of the road instruction and some of the teachers are very rigid.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children enrolled at Lilienthal and their educational experience has been outstanding. Their teachers have been outstanding and caring. My oldest daughter, now in college, was well prepared for her private high school experience. She still visits Lilienthal regularly and has stayed in touch with many of her teachers. I would not hesitate to highly recommend this school .
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a kinder this fall and so far I have seen satisfactory results in her learning. I will probably withdraw her and enroll her at the school I am working at since we have much more to offer.
—Submitted by a parent