Gateway was a fine school for my son who is now thriving at UC Davis. I wish there was more sports offered at the school. But the teachers were top notch, and the community is diverse and interesting. I only hope my daughter gets in. The lottery system is frustrating.

Gateway is a great school to make you stand out and get into a good college, but it definitely does not prepare you for it. Gateway claims that it is a college preparatory school, only because they have a course called college counseling. Honestly, this is no help. This course is just a bunch of practice SAT tests to take, and rough drafts of personal statements. In actual classes, teachers hold your hand throughout the whole process, giving you 2nd, 3rd, chances, and options for extra credit. There is no way that I can see where this school is college prep. The only language option here is Spanish and youre forced to take 3 years of it in order to graduate. Although it is nice that Gateway goes above and beyond for class requirements for college, it is unnecessary because colleges dont look at that as a big aspect. As long as you fulfill the requirement, youre all set, so basically youre taking extra classes at for no reason. Also, some teachers are very caring and actually want to help students grow and learn, while there are some that make it obvious that they are teaching there only for the money. Additionally, some adults there are not much of a big help. I have had my lockers broken into, stolen items out of my backpack including a new phone, and all the help I can get is a simple oh, Im sorry that that happened to you. There are also no music programs here, or a football team. But, speaking academically, If you want an easy and chill 4 years of high school however, Gateway is the place for you. (:

I have had the opportunity to volunteer teach there on two occasions and I was struck by the student engagement and the dedicated faculty. I hope my kid gets in!

Good content in Humanities11.100% recommend.

Many of these reviews here appear to be fake, or written by the same disgruntled person. My kids attend Gateway, and the oldest just got accepted to Cal, UCLA, Claremont McKenna, and Swarthmore. Not a bad list. She has told me that every kid at this school LOVES the school.Its wonderfully diverse, truly. As in, there are rich kids, working class kids, middle class, super bright kids, challenged kids, white kids, chinese kids, latino kids, african american kids, multicultural kids, straight, gay, transitioning. In other words, the school environment looks exactly like San Francisco! Thats actually quite rare in SF public schools. Its the goal, but it seldom happens.The academics at Gateway are challenging and interesting, not run of the mill standardized stuff. The social atmosphere is positive, the special projects get kids working together. At other elite high schools, you see stressed out kids. They simply just dont exist there. The faculty and administration is totally on top of things. They excel where the mainstream 555 Franklin with their red tape fails. They are totally *together* and in control. Bottom line is, every single kid I know who attends this school absolutely loves it, thinks its the best school theyve ever attended, and more importantly, ends up accepted to a college thats right for them. Many ivy league colleges, top state schools, or even more importantly again, a college that is right for them.To be real, the top public schools in this town are well known. Gateway is the top, according to kids who go there.Worst thing you can say about this school is, its laid back. But for high school kids, thats a plus. They still have time to be kids, grow up a little, explore interests that matter, hang out with one another, plan projects--like community involvement, the arts, sports, being weird if they want, all great things.Please dont believe few negative reviews here. Something is up, and this site must not monitor them. One or two angry kids can wreck any comments section. Gateway may not be for everybody, but every year this school turn away more and more applicants than ever, because the word is out. Demand is getting super high, and youre very lucky if you get a spot. Check it out.

My school, good stuff, good education but it can be a sketch neighborhood at the wrong times

Best charter school in SF