Welcome to The San Francisco School, a vibrant independent community educating Preschool through 8th Grade. Nestled in the Portola, our intimate campus inspires creativity, respect, and joy.
Thank you for your interest in The San Francisco School! We are a vibrant, progressive, independent school educating children from Preschool through 8th Grade. Nestled in the residential Portola neighborhood, our village-like campus features a unique outdoor space that includes an adventure playground, a 50 ft slide, a field station, a barn, and an expansive garden. With 282 students and 70 faculty and staff, we are an intimate and mission-driven community.
The San Francisco School cultivates and celebrates the intellectual, imaginative, and humanitarian promise of each student in a community that practices mutual respect, embraces diversity, and inspires a passion for learning.
At SFS, we value the richness of our diverse community and actively seek students from racially, socio-economically, and culturally diverse families, including lesbian, gay, and transgender families, single parent/guardian families, adoptive, and foster families. We have 66% students of color and a strong inclusive ethos. Family economic diversity is supported by a robust Indexed Tuition program, with 29% of students paying reduced tuition. Through all of this, the entire SFS community is committed to creating a school where students and families can learn with confidence and joy.
Choosing the right school for your child is an important and exciting decision. We are available year-round to help you navigate the process and answer questions as you explore more about our school, program, and community. We also welcome you each fall to join admissions events and campus tours, where you can experience the magic of SFS firsthand. We can’t wait to get to know your family!
Ellen Fey
Job Position: Associate Director of Enrollment Management & High School Guidance Counselor
Read More about Ellen Fey
Victória Campanario
Job Position: Executive Assistant & Enrollment Family Liaison
Read More about Victória Campanario
Toni Russell
Director of Enrollment Management
I wake up extremely blessed to be working with a passionate staff, amazing students on an awesome campus every day!
I am a San Francisco native, born and raised in this extraordinary city. I am a Sacred Heart Cathedral alumna and I continued my education at the University of San Francisco where I studied Psychology and Sociology. I was blessed to receive a full athletic (basketball) scholarship at the University of San Francisco. After college I worked with inner city youth at an afterschool program at Booker T. Washington Community Center. Later I discovered a passion for teaching Physical Education in the public school system at Claire Lilienthal Elementary and Sutro Elementary.
With three brothers and a family who loves sports, I quickly developed a passion for athletics. I was fortunate enough to pursue my childhood dream and play basketball professionally in Montenegro. Upon my return I attended Skyline College where I received my certificate in Early Childhood Education. I have coached basketball at elementary, middle school, and high school.
I began my career at SFS as a substitute for two years. When the Preschool & Elementary PE position opened up, I applied. SFS has continued to support me in my professional development as a lifelong learner. I have held several positions (interim Athletic Director, Middle School Advisor, Extended Day Instructor, etc.), chaired committees, served on the SFS Board of Trustees. I am currently an Admissions Coordinator and, almost 12 years later, I am now a proud parent of a student here at SFS.
Ellen Fey
Associate Director of Enrollment Management & High School Guidance Counselor
I love working at a school where we’re proud that our students go home “dirty, tired and hungry” … for all the right reasons!
I first stepped through the Gaven Street gates in 2005 when my wife Kate and I brought our then two-year-old son Ben (Class of ’17) to his preschool assessment. When we finished up with the teachers and told him it was time to go, he asked very sincerely, “Why are we leaving?” Thankfully he began his SFS journey later that fall. And yes, he routinely came home dirty, tired, and hungry!
I was born and raised in the Central Valley, attended Smith College where I received a BA in Religion and Art History, and earned my Master’s in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. I worked with patients and families as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Stanford Hospital and UCSF for 20 years and have been a member of the admissions team since 2019.
While at SFS as a parent, I served on the board, chairing the Public Purpose Committee from 2010-2015 and served as Board Chair from 2015-2018. I am a freelance photographer and particularly enjoy sports photography. I feed my soul by volunteering at Toluma Farms, a goat and sheep dairy in Tomales, CA. I love cooking without recipes, capturing big and tiny moments in my travel journal, and spending time with my wife, son and black lab, Harley - preferably together on the couch or with friends and family around a bonfire on the Oregon Coast.
Crissy Koehler
Associate Director of Admissions
As an active member of the SFS community, Crissy knows our mission well and can speak to our program and community by leaning on her experiences as a current parent of Nick ’31 and Sebastian ’28 as well as her recent tenure on as the co-chair of the Family Association and Board of Trustees.
Victória Campanario
Executive Assistant & Enrollment Family Liaison
What I love about the San Francisco school is its deep roots within its community. We pride ourselves in building a community beyond the front gate, seeing how we can support and be a part of the neighborhood as a whole.
I was born and raised in Stoughton, MA, a suburb of Boston. I moved to the Bay Area in 2011 and fell in love with San Francisco. After high school, I went on to college and did coursework focusing on special education, art education, business, and communications.
I taught elementary school for two years with a focus on special education, but always had a passion for the part of my job that included supporting my students and the community outside of the classroom. I have enjoyed working with the community to register voters, hand out resources for food, and work together to improve the community through volunteer work.
Outside of work, you can find me singing and dancing with my two children, baking goodies to share with my children and coworkers, perusing a bookstore or two for exciting finds, crocheting or knitting, or enjoying the city with friends.
admissions@sfschool.org, 415-239-5065 ext. 354