Established in 1962 International High School of San Francisco stands proudly in Hayes Valley. This isn’t just any school. It’s a global hub. Students from diverse backgrounds come together. They learn in English and French. Many earn the prestigious International Baccalaureate diploma. Others graduate with the French Baccalaureate.
A common misconception is that you need to speak French to attend. This is false. Non-French speakers follow the IB curriculum. Around two-thirds to three-quarters of the students choose the internationally recognized IB program. It’s experiencing rapid growth especially in the United States. Graduates often gain significant college credit. Many attend top universities worldwide.
International High School’s campus is more than just buildings. It’s a vibrant community. The main building on Oak Street houses classrooms. It has science labs and administrative offices. There’s a library and a design lab. It even boasts a rooftop deck. Across the street is a gymnasium. There’s also outdoor recreational space. The Arts Pavilion on Page Street is home to music film visual arts and theater programs. The main building also shares space with the Chinese American International School and the French American International School. These are K-8 schools. The school is expanding. It’s acquiring more lots. New designs for an expanded campus are being selected.
The school offers a wide range of languages. Students can take classes in French Chinese Spanish Italian and Arabic. Native-level classes in French and Chinese are available. Spanish is offered at the native level too if there is sufficient demand. Other languages are offered at non-native levels. All students study at least four years of a language other than English. Many take a third language as well. All language teachers are native speakers.
International High School is more than academics. Students participate in extensive global travel. They embark on cultural service-oriented and linguistic trips. Destinations include Vietnam China Tibet Denmark Germany the American South England Ecuador the Galapagos Islands Tahiti Senegal Thailand India and Myanmar. The school also offers longer exchanges. These are 6 to 8-week programs to enhance their global education. Students often stay with local families in these countries. In return IHS families host students from abroad.
Service learning is a significant part of the curriculum. Students complete at least 100 hours of service. This culminates in a month-long Creativity Action Service CAS project. Past projects include a TEDx program community development work in Nicaragua and fundraising events. The school partners with many nonprofits. Students participate in blood drives and volunteer at the San Francisco Food Bank. International High School is also known for its international service projects. They raise money to build schools in Ethiopia and Senegal. An annual event Songs for Senegal raises funds for Ecole Natangué in Senegal. The school plays a key role in its development.
International High School has a strong athletic program. There are twenty teams. They compete in the BCL Central league. The athletic director Scott Kennedy has won several awards. Around 55 percent of the students participate in athletics. Sports include cross country soccer tennis volleyball sailing basketball badminton swimming track and baseball. The school has achieved notable results in various sports including making it to state tournaments.
The arts are also thriving at International High School. Students can take art classes throughout their four years. They explore various art forms. There is a rigorous IB art course. The Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion opened in 2009. It houses a theater film and video editing classroom music and visual arts studios. The after-school theater program Back à Dos is very popular. It puts on numerous shows including musicals and student-written plays. The music program includes an orchestra. Students perform in concerts throughout the year including a fundraiser called Songs for Senegal.
International High School’s Design Technology program starts in freshman year. It continues into the IB years. The program includes coding and combines physics engineering and art. The school works with San Francisco’s Tech Shop. They also participate in the Maker Faire.
International High School is accredited by various organizations. These include the Western Association of Schools and Colleges the French Ministry of Education the International Baccalaureate Organization the National Association of Independent Schools and the Council of International Schools. This school is more than just a school. It is a global community. A place where students learn grow and make a difference in the world.