West Portal Elementary School

My daughter is currently a first grader at West Portal Elementary School. When she was in kindergarten, we were disappointed to learn she was assigned to the bungalows. After volunteering a few times, it wasn’t so bad. They have a bathroom in the bungalows and are next to the yard with a play structure. There’s newly installed security cameras throughout the campus.
My daughter loves the school. They have several events throughout the year: movie night, pumpkin patch at the garden, Halloween school parade, science night, spring musical, etc. The PTA’s main fundraising is the education fund (direct donation), read-​a-​thon, red envelope drive and the spring auction. There is a wonderful Chinese Performing Arts Program, where kids perform for the Chinese New Year parade.
They have two on-​site after school programs: GLO and All Star Mandarin Center. Both programs will pick the kids up directly from the classroom. All Star Mandarin Center ends at 3:50, but has an extension program until 6pm. I recommend signing up for GLO immediately, because space seems limited.

The principal is fine. But, one teacher called Mrs. Olona, had changed my daughter’s life. She is so encouraging, funny, and nice. she =amazing!

We love West Portal Elementary! My children are reading above grade level, and are fully engaged and interested in all of their subjects. They have a wonderful arts program (also performing arts), gardening and loving, knowledgeable teachers who really care about the students. Principal Lucey is a strong and caring presence. Great community!

We have THREE children in West Portal Elementary and we love it! It is a vibrant public school with great art, music and high academic standards. There is a fabulous language immersion program, a functional community garden, and a very thoughtful and large inclusion program for students with disabilities. FAbulous after school program (GLO) as well. This is NOT a private school and parent involvement is key to a positive experience. Ethnic diversity is incredible with this year (2013 – 14) being first year that no single ethnicity is a majority although Chinese American students make up something like 49% of the school body. School leadership is solid and teachers remain at the school for years. Very little teacher turnover! Will be sad when our kids move on. Only wish we could contribute more time and resources to contribute to this fabulous institution.

Great public elementary in SF. Experienced, caring teachers. Principal is a strong leader. Kids are happy, healthy and learning. Our oldest has been here three years and we haven’t had any problems. We are really pleased with the school and would recommend it to anyone.

No.
No no no no no no no.
My little boy had both his emotional and physical safety at risk after 4 months at West Portal School.
He was repeatedly assaulted by a classmate, coming home with bruises on his face, deep scratches on his back and more. I can’t even describe any further, it is still so upsetting.
I should’ve listened to my instincts when I took the tour and had a negative impression of Principal Will Lucey. I thought he was arrogant (and my first impression was the right one).
On the tour, he had us standing on the main school yard and talked endlessly for almost an hour. And when he took our group of prospective parents to actually see the classrooms, it was inside the main building.
You know what? Your children will not be in the main building until they’re upper classmen. Your children will be in trailers on one of 3 school yards, located just beyond your sight line. Your tour being stationed by the main building’s rear entrance is no mistake.
I felt Will Lucey pulled a shell game on us parents. And every time I set foot on West Portal School’s campus, it was soul-​deadening.
All of that could be overlooked, however, if the school weren’t completely adrift with the lack of leadership. «Ineffectual» is the kindest adjective I could use to describe the Principal.
And if you need after school care? Well, unless you’re 1 out of 10 children lucky enough to win a spot, then you are on your own, my friend, in the middle of an exclusively residential neighborhood west of Twin Peaks.
And, there is no security at the school. I’d sometimes walk around the hallways with nary a question from an administrator. Other times, I’d be scolded for not going to the office to get a visitor pass. Visitor passes were enforced on a whimsical basis, it seemed.
I never felt my child was safe here and I am so relieved to have had my little boy transferred out of West Portal School.

This school is prodominately Chinese students. There a double standards at the school. The Principal, Will Lucey and Teachers are whites and they favor white students and parents. The Chinese students and parents are treated unfavorably and underclass at the school. The principal is rude, intimidates and put down Chinese students and parents at private conferences. Don’t ever send your child to this school. Nothing is good about West Portal School at all.

I went to this school and it was a great experience. Very diverse, nice teachers for the most part. I think that some day I will send my kids there if I can get them in. By my opinion it’s one of the best in the city. Make sure to take advantage of the Chinese program as well.

Great public school in the City. If you’re fortunate enough to get your children in, don’t pass it up.