Thank you for your interest in our school.  Clarendon is a K-5 elementary school and part of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).  Clarendon is an "Alternative School," which means that it is no one's school of assignment based upon their home address.  All students who are residents of San Francisco have an equal chance of being selected (by computer lottery) to attend Clarendon.  There is no neighborhood priority.  Admission is by computer lottery. 

Kindly direct your questions regarding the enrollment process to:

The Educational Placement Center (EPC)
555 Franklin St., Room 100
San Francisco, CA  94104
415 241-6085
www.sfusd.edu

Clarendon School is home to two distinct and highly regarded programs:  The Second Community (SC) Program and the Japanese Bilingual-Bicultural Program (JBBP).  Both programs share the same administrative staff and teach the same SFUSD core curriculum, in English. There is no immersion program at Clarendon although SC and JBBP both have second language components in their respective programs.  Prospective students may apply to either or both programs and must indicate their preference on the SFUSD application.  

For Second Community, indicate: Clarendon - 478 - GEN
For JBBP, indicate: Clarendon - 478 - JBBP

Students remain in the same program for their entire time at Clarendon.  Parents wishing to switch programs must reapply at the EPC during the enrollment period.  Students may enter in any grade in either program.

Q.  Is there school bus service to Clarendon?

A.  Yes.  We currently have 3 morning and 4 afternoon school buses that transport our students to and from various parts of the city.  Clarendon School is an alternative school, which means that there is no guarantee of bus transportation.  A school bus schedle is available from the school office or online at http://www.sfusd.edu.  (Select "school information" on the left side, then "Elementary," then "Clarendon," then "Bus Schedule.")

Q.  Does Clarendon offer childcare before and/or after school?

A.  Yes.  Clarendon offers excellent, high-quality on-site childcare from 7:00am to 6:30pm.  Childcare is run by a separate and private company, and therefore has its own admission process and maintains its own waiting list.  There is a fee for childcare services.  For more information, contact the director, Shelley Pope, at 415 759-1897.  Admission to Clarendon Elementary School does not automatically imply admission to childcare program!

Q.  What are my child's chances of getting into Clarendon School?

A.  The assignment process is handled entirely by the EPC (Educational Placement Center at SFUSD).  The selection process and waiting pools are maintained by the EPC.  The school site has no information on the selection criteria or the wait pools.  The principal of the school CANNOT assist you in getting your child in.  It is best to maintain contact with the EPC for the most accurate and up to date information.  The notion that there is a waiting list maintained at the school site is COMPLETELY FALSE.

If you have questions regarding the enrollment process or your status on the waiting list, or if you would like to lobby on your child's behalf or explain special circumstances relating to your child, please contact the EPC directly.

Q.  Where do Clarendon students go to middle school?

A.  Clarendon students continue on to a wide variety of public and private middle schools after completion of 5th grade.  We do not participate in an automatic "feeder program" to any particular middle school.

Q.  Will my child's younger sibling get a space at Clarendon?

A.  Younger siblings of children in grades K-4 receive "sibling priority" and are allowed to submit an application during the pre-assignment phase of the enrollment period.  We have never had a sibling NOT be admitted when the parents were San Francisco residents and submitted all of the paperwork on time.

Q.  I cannot make it to a tour.  May I visit the school on my own?

A.  Every year approximately 1000 people visit Clarendon on the school tours.  It is at the request of the teachers that visitors are limited to these tours.  It is for this reason that we offer so many tours over a two and one half month period.  Although we certainly understand the desire for individual classroom visits, it is just not possible to accommodate the numerous requests that we receive.  Our first commitment is to the students who attend Clarendon and we try to limit disruptions to their school day.  You are, however, always welcome to come to the school office to have questions answered or pick up information.