Synergy School

The two latest review for Synergy call for a reasonable response. They both have a point but I doubt Synergy will destroy your child's self esteem but it is not all that academically great either. Some good things happen there but there is also a lot of mediocrity. Biggest advantage is price. If you can't do Catholic School and you don't want to shell out big bucks for the other private schools this place is OK. Harsh but true. Teacher quality depends the grade but that is probably true at every school. Parents have complained for years about many things in grades 4 & 5 but nothing changes & that is true with new administrators. One of those teachers is an administrator! Middle school has been so-so. Science is the only really hands-on class in the school. Lots of projects are assigned and all must be done at home. There are heaps of handouts and mostly fill in the blank tests. Middle school math is good for kids who come into 6th grade with strong skills. If not lotsa luck. My kids have made good friends and love farm school , trips and sports. New teachers coming next year so maybe things will change in 6-8. The whole school needs to pay attention to the rough edges.
—Submitted by a parent

My child graduated from Synergy and is now at an academically rigorous high school and he is thriving. He is the first to admit that while he had some gaps in math, the critical thinking skills he developed at Synergy helped him to overcome what shortcomings there were. I understand the math program has since undergone changes, more math instruction and smaller class sizes. As far as Spanish and music are concerned, I don't remember ever being told the goal of these programs was to enter high school at Spanish 2 or to be able to read music. On the whole, I am so grateful for the education my child received. He was given something valuable - the ability to think critically, to advocate for himself, to be able to self-reflect and have personal relationships with his teachers who cared and nurtured him. Synergy may not be for everyone but for our family it was a wonderful experience. I find the teachers there caring, professional, and dedicated. The new administrators are very responsive to parent feedback.
—Submitted by a parent

While very happy now in high school (and vastly relieved to be away from Synergy), having graduated from Synergy with an 'A' average, sadly my child is ill prepared in any high school subject involving math and the more technical sciences. Writing is strong in terms of content and structure, but poor in terms of grammar and spelling. Nine years of Spanish will place your child in Spanish 1 for high school, as basics are not covered at Synergy. Nine years of music will not give your child the skills to join any music group in high school that involves reading music or music theory. It was acceptable that the drama teacher scream at the students and other teachers. In terms of social environment, while in hindsight the administration and teachers acknowledged serious problems within the dynamics of the female students, they did nothing to intervene or improve them. Communication was poor and they really did not wish input from parents unless it was approving. The administration as well as many teachers were extremely defensive to any criticism and reacted punitively in retaliation. I wish I had removed my child earlier, before serious damage was done to their self esteem.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school for your child. The teacher's care. You can call them on the phone. They want you to be in the classroom. The school feels like a community. Someone on this board had an issue with Fundrasing. The bottom line is that EVERY private school will make you fund raise. Expect that it's part of every school and mandatory. We were only this this school and then moved the the suburbs. If you can afford it go for it! This is a gem of a school!
—Submitted by a parent

I am still a parent here and I have to say that I am slowly losing confidence in this school. We have been here quite a few years but I find myself less happy each year. Some of the teachers are great and some are fairly mediocre. I receive emails from the teachers with numerous spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. The teachers seem to give the more outgoing children more attention (say larger roles in plays and things of that sort) and let the shy children languish. They constantly nickle and dime the parents (if they want another two thousand dollars from us, just put it in the tuition rather than asking for it under the guise of DONATIONS or FUNDRAISING.) Obviously, if I ask friends for money for our fundraising event, they are just going to ask ME when it's time for their kids. Just tack it on to my bill and be done with it. I feel like the academics are lacking, the sports disorganized, and the arts hit or miss. At one time, they had a really good art instructer but she left several years ago. The music program is decent but the person running doesn't seem to like children particularly. The drama is poor in the lower grades, and hit or miss in the upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 5th year at Synergy. They have been very supportive to my family, and having before- and after-school services onsite (for an additional fee) has been a lifesaver. The diversity of families and teachers, along with the supportive, bully-free atmosphere is phenomenal and aids my child's academic development along with his socio-emotional growth. It seems that most other schools in SF, whether public or private, suffer from de facto segregation. At Synergy there are students and teachers of all ethnicities, and a plenty of LGBTQ families as well. Synergy is the only school I've discovered in the City that actually reflects the City's diversity. Be warned: as a parent you are REQUIRED to participate in many ways. This is a great policy, but challenging at times. Like many of the families, we take advantage of their generous financial aid package. Academically, my work in other elementary schools in the city has shown me that my child's curriculum thus far has been more rigorous than the classrooms I have observed. Additionally, the team taught K-3 provides the students with the extra attention kids need to learn well.
—Submitted by a parent

Synergy has been a wonderful place for our child and our family. I always feel like I am walking into a big, warm, cozy house when I walk into the school. The academics are truly great - my child is stimulated, loves school, and is challenged. The teachers are masters of their craft - I marvel at their creativity, kindness, and cohesiveness. Choosing Synergy was one of the best decisions we have ever made.
—Submitted by a parent

Synergy is like one big family. Its such a happy place. Usually extra activities happen outside of the normal school day, at Synergy they include everything such as music, drama and art in the normal school day.
—Submitted by a parent

Very welcoming! My fifth grader is looking forward to a year of academic, social, and emotional growth at Synergy. We feel very fortunate that he got in.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children 1 high schooler, 1 middle schooler and 1 in Kindergarten. Two are currently attending Synergy. Synergy has worked with our income so we can afford it, and the kids love it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with a engaged and dynamic teachers. We've had three of our kids here (two presently) and the quality of education and the strong community involvement is what makes this K-8 school terrific.
—Submitted by a parent

A great small school with a wonderful summer program available to all. Engaged, diverse parent and teacher community with music and art integrated into their curriculum. Classes are combined and the overall student population is small so it may not be suitable for all middle school students.
—Submitted by a parent

Some parent absolutely love this school. We went for a year and, although the staff is earnest, found it an odd combination of open-minded, left-wing, open classroom and strident and single-minded. This didn't work for our child or family. Our child needed kept being reprimanded in ways he didn't understand (for a kindergartener). They have a strict discipline code: if a child doesn't follow rules in any way, his behavior is written down and if it happens a few times, he's put on 'contract.' We found the communication between parents and staff frustrating: They would listen to your comments but be inflexible in terms of change.
—Submitted by a parent

Synergy has been a great school for my daughter from kindergarten through eighth grade. Kids are respected, every teacher knows and looks out for every child, and big kids are buddies with younger children. It's a caring, supportive environment. Parents help in the classrooms, library, and schoolyard. Synergy is unique because the teachers run the school along with other directors who are parents and founders. They know what works in their classrooms and they do a great job. The basketball teams for grades 4-8 are fun and competitive, a real learning treat for kids who may never have played ball before. The music teacher is a gem and art is integrated throughout the curriculum with the classroom teachers as well as an art specialist. Synergy costs a bit less than comparable private schools and as a result there is quite a bit of fundraising and volunteering expected of the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall a good school. Less economic diversity every year. Synergy presents a picture of more individualized instruction than it actually provides which canbe frustrating. Good leaders in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a great school. The big draw is the teacher cooperative structure which gives the teachers real ownership of the program. They are a very dedicated staff. The school has a wonderful feeling of community...of family. Parent involvement is high. The academic approach is progressive and very child-centered. Art, music, drama and spanish are included. Community service is required. I think it's a wonderful education for my child. He really enjoys school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. High parental involvement. Teaching a great philosophy of equality.
—Submitted by a parent