Harvey Milk Civil Rights Elementary School

This is a small and outstanding school in San Francisco. Civil Rights are the center of the school curriculum. Children are our future. Diversity our strength.
--Submitted by Vincent Leddy, a parent

It is a small, alternative public elemenetary schoo, which truly celebrates diversity (in terms of economic backgrounds, racial backrounds, physical ability etc) and it is has such a strong sense of community! The kids learn a pledge of alligance to the world - it is just beautiful. HRMCA is helping students become citizens of the world! I pledge alligance to the world, to cherish every living thing, to care for earth and sea and air, with peace and freedom everywhere.
--Submitted by a parent

this school is excellent for all kids the teachers are nice,family's help

Both of my children graduated from Harvey Milk. My daughter is now 16 and my son is now 12. This school was a true blessing. My kids were taught very well. Harvey Milk is one big family. Ms. Leigh, Alisa, Coach Glen, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Sato, Mr Hodgson, and everyone are greattttt.
--Submitted by lucrezia, a parent

Harvey Milk is such an amazing school. Our kids are growing up to be great citizens of our global home... the community and staff here are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in the 3rd grade at HMCRA. We have been here since Kindergarten. The teachers and staff are dedicated to the learning and growth of the children. We have tons of extraordinary parent participation. Our principal is approachable, down to earth and awesome all around! Our students are smart...they care about each other as a part of a school community, and they grasp the concept of how to shape and change themselves and the world. I encourage parents who are considering alternative private schools to look at HMCRA.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten in this fantastic school. The diversity of families and kids is excellent, the second I walked through the door it was the San Francisco I wanted my son to grow up in. He has learned so much this year, and has really grown into a school age kid. Staff is supportive and loving and also very diverse... he has a lot of nurturing male role models here, which is an added bonus. It's the best!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has always felt like home for me, since the minute we stepped foot in the door. Parent involvement is very high, community involvement is very high, the principal is wonderful. There is free afterschool care which I love. There are only two classes per grade, so the school has a small feeling to it. The principal knows every child's name in the school. I also love the late start (9:30). My son learned alot there, but now that he is 8 I feel that he needs more academic challenge. Sadly, this school has very low test scores, so much emphasis is placed on improving the test scores of students, to the detriment of the cirriculum, in my opinion. There is not alot of flexibilty for the teachers in what they can teach.My son feels bored and wants more challenge. I love this school, but feel he needs more academic challenge.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a first grader at HMCRA. We love the community here and the teachers are super committed. All public scools have thier problems. HMCRA is at lest tyring to teach the students to respect each other and the planet.
--Submitted by a parent

Having your child attend this school is like giving your child another family to spend time with and learn from between the hours of 9:30 - 3:30, 5 days a week. Sometimes longer, if your child has an opportunity to participate in any of the after school clubs or activities. It is a warm, open, safe, friendly, loving, socially and politically conscious environment. It teaches tolerance and empathy first and foremost which is a great thing. The teachers are terrific and the staff headed by Sande Leigh, a dynamic and committed principal, are stellar. My only complaint is more about the school district than the school. Because of the way things work, the brighter students are not given an opportunity to be challenged regularly because the teachers are spread so thin attending to the needs of the average and lower performing students and teaching the mediocre curriculum.
--Submitted by a parent