St. Finn Barr School

This is our first year at St. Finn Barr and we love it! The principal is dynamic and filled with lots of enthusiasm and energy that builds a great school community. The teachers do a fabulous job of teaching and are in regular communication with parents about the concepts being learned in the classroom. The parent community has been warm and inviting to us as a new family to the school. There is so much more than just academics at this school, and that is really what makes for a well rounded nurturing environment. If you are looking for a school community were everyone is pulling together to make a "great school", St Finn Barr is it!
—Submitted by a parent

After a rough 6th grade year at a public middle school, we needed to find a better situation for our son, and we found it: St. Finn Barr Catholic School. The principal is dedicated, dynamic, and approachable. She welcomed us to the school and treated our son s concerns seriously and kindly. The teachers know each of their students and truly care that each one succeeds. SFB tests at the beginning of the year, and it seems like that affects how the teachers approach their work: SFB teachers do not teach to the test, they teach the child. The curriculum is thoughtful, with college-like syllabuses, opportunities for extra credit, field trips, and a variety of approaches, including computer games and creative projects like poetry and drawing. And the science! A lab, a notebook, experiments, observations. Fabulous. The students are encouraged to behave kindly and to have respect for their teachers, their classmates, and themselves. No bullying! My son has relaxed noticeably, his confidence has increased, and he does better work. My son is working hard, and he s never been happier in school, ever. How many middle-schoolers can say that?
—Submitted by a parent

Last minute I had to find a school for my daughter entering kindergarten, because she did not get into my sons school nor any of the other San Francisco public schools. I called St. Finn Barr, which was due to start the new school year the next day, and they were able to get her enrolled that day. I knew financially it was going to be difficult, but they informed me of programs such as Basic Fund that would help a great deal, and the school also donated money towards my daughters tuition through a grant or scholarship. My daughter and I love this school, and I am planning on transferring my son there next year. The staff is wonderful, especially the principal, and the parents are involved. The students are very polite, and the St Finn Barr community is very welcoming, I couldn't recommend a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at the school for several years now, but I felt compelled to write this review after attending our annual Christmas fair on Dec 2nd. It was honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen (straight out of the kid's pageant in the movie "love actually"). But then with our links to "linda's musical theatre", how could it not be? She runs these workshops out of our school. I love that this is a small school and I know almost every kid and parent in my child's grade. I love that they have spanish daily k-4. I think they may be one of the only parochial schools in SF to do this.The new principal is great. Very responsive to addressing issues. She has a great vision and plans for where she wants to take the school. Okay, here are some of the improvement areas. (building is old, sports teams can be hard to field at a small school) But kids don't notice that stuff. What counts is that my daughter loves to go school every day and they are teaching her to be a compassionate person and lifelong learner. And the other parents are normal, low key people.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school!!!! We have a son and daughter at the school and both are thriving. The academic standard is high. In a test our son took at UCSF he tested at 5th grade math and English - he is in 3rd grade! The teachers are great, the parents are fun and supportive. Our new principal is FANTASTIC! She is energetic, responsive, open and the kids love her.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a fantastic gem! It has excellent experienced teachers, a strong energetic principal, and high quality academics with small classroom sizes, laptop computers, Spanish everyday, and hands on science in middle school. The community is warm and welcoming with a very dedicated and active parent community. There are many opportunities for enrichment afterschool including piano, guitar, musical theater, choir, Spanish and sports. In the lower grades there is a full time teacher's aide in the classrooms. We love this school. My kids are thriving here.
—Submitted by a parent

Come visit St. Finn Barr. It's funny reading these reviews as the positives resonate with our experience and the negatives actually refer to people who are no longer working at the school. We were attracted because we wanted foreign language instruction for our son and St. Finn Barr offers Spanish every day in the elementary program. They're launching a very exciting Middle School Science program this year that starts with inquiry and hands on experiments. The Community feel of the school is great. Everyone knew my son within weeks and every experience I've had working with teachers, administrators, and families has been positive and fruitful. There's a great balance of strong academics, arts (particularly performing arts), sports, and character/community building. I love the way the middle school kids know and look after the younger kids. The adults are proactive-- receptive to hearing concerns (and praise!) and get right on any problems. They are seasoned professionals and genuinely love children and teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE this school! The kindergarten teacher is a godsend for our daughter. After a very disappointing stint in the public school system, our dtr was not thriving and very unhappy (bulling, chaotic class w/ no support from teacher or admin). When she stated that she didn't like learning it was a HUGE red flag. I began looking for another school as more red flags showed up, and was directed by a friend to SFB. It was night and day! The principle is wonderful and caring yet I can see that the kids respect him. The K teacher made my dtr feel safe and understands kids and their behavior and reassures me all the time that she is "normal" (the other school labeled her problematic). I noticed right away that the kids were orderly and respectful. The community has opened its arms to us and has been very supportive. Our dtr's behavior has changed dramatically and she's happy at school, likes learning and loves her teacher. I wish we had put her here in the beginning. I know that when I leave her there, she is happy and safe! The afterschool ladies are awesome! Tuition is reasonable and worth every penny!
—Submitted by a parent

We love our school! My young daughters are happy, safe and best of all: they enjoy learning here. The students, parents and staff are great.One thing I really noticed is the older kids kindness to the younger kids, they have a "buddy" system that my girls love. St. Finn Barr is also a true representation of San Francisco families. We have a very involved Parish that really brings the neighborhood and school community together. After school activities such as guitar class, tumbling, sports for K to 8th, and a really great theater program adds to what SFB has to offer. The Parent Board works hard and is always open to new ideas and suggestions. I would 100% suggest setting up a tour and checking this school out. For families with middle school kids, SFB is a great place to prepare for high school, we have an excellent Math and Science dept. as well as a much loved and respected 8th grade teacher. Tuition is moderate and well worth the education they offer.
—Submitted by a parent

Were new to San Francisco when our then 6th grade daughter started at St Finn Barr last year. It's a relatively small school, with many students having been there since kindergarten, and yet they welcomed our daughter(and us) so warmly. The academics are excellent. I'm excited about her high school prospects because she'll be so well-prepared. Great teachers and principal(and I bet the best hot lunch program around!!).
—Submitted by a parent

It would be nice if the priest let the principal do his job accordingly. We are tired of favoritism. Parents should get involved more often.

Excellent teachers - most high praise! Parent participation:50% very involved, 20% somewhat involved, 30% drop off kids in Kindergarten and pick them up on 8th grade Graduation Day and you never see them in between. Principal needs to be more available to parents, more decisive and stop taking the easy way out. Tired of lip service and no action - ever!
—Submitted by a parent

4 Stars is a bit generous. This year, the principle is unavailable to the parents and has horrible follow through with commitments he makes to staff and the community. I heard that parents are calling other parents in the class rooms to 'collect debts' for not participating in volunteer opportunities. This is horrible for community relations and breeds hostility amongst the parent community at the school. There is a strong culture of bullying developing that is mildly addressed. The academics have breadth but no depth and there are very few extra curricular activities. Some great teachers there but would highly suggest a stronger administration with a bit more back bone and leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a student in the middle school and a child that graduated last year from St. Finn Barr School. The class size, the diversity, the teachers, the principal and the academics that SFB is offers is what makes this school the best choice in San Francisco!!! The students are very well prepared and the students get into the high schools of their choice.I encourage you to consider St. Finn Barr Catholic School.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended St. Finn Barr and now that the last one is graduating I realize how much the people and the community have become such a part of my life. I will miss it. The school is small and that is what I love about it. One class per grade. The 8th grade teacher, Mr. Dunublia is the most down to earth teacher a child and parent could ask for. The kids all love him and he prepares them very well for the high schools by treating them like young adults. Yes, it does need more fundraisers and more parent participation, but what school doesn't. It really is up to the parents to be involved. Good-bye St. Finn Barr!
—Submitted by a parent

We love St. Finn Barr! We're new to the school and actually didn't decide to go Parochial (my husband and I are not practicing Catholics) until a few months before the school year started. We were one of those families caught up in the SF lottery system. When we were assigned to an under-performing school, we decided to consider Catholic school. When I met with the principal, that sealed the deal. He's fantastic. The irony of the situation is that we got a call 3 days into the school year, telling us we got our wait pool school. We were so impressed with St. Finn Barr, turned down the slot. We now live in the beautiful Sunnyside area, have great neighbors, and go to a wonderful little school. Our son loves his teacher, Mrs. O'Reilly, and he's getting a top-notch education. We couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

St finn barr academics are ok. Sports and activities need more parent involvement. Parent involvement not enough. Principal needs to listen more to the parents and less to his own agenda. Needs more and better fund raisers to improve financial state of school.
—Submitted by a parent

I highly recommend St. Finn Barr, especially for parents who are seeking a well-rounded, comprehensive approach to education. My daughter is exposed to a highly diverse student population, a challenging academic program, and access to arts, music and recreation. What impressed me most was the enthusiasm the staff has for their work. Their energy is infectious. It also has a very warm, family feeling to it. The work hard to foster a sense of community among the children and parents. It is a loving, happy and peaceful environment for parents and children. We researched all kinds of schools, public and private, but kept coming back to St. Finn Barr. I encourage parents to attend an open house and learn more about this hidden jewel.
—Submitted by Kim Castillo, a parent

Excellent education. Outstanding principal and teachers that are dedicated to the success of the children. The diversity of the students is amazing as well - even for San Francisco.
—Submitted by a parent