Grattan Elementary School

Like many schools, there are a number of emotionally-​disturbed and/​or at-​risk children here. If your child is bullied, social work and therapy will be suggested – for your child and the bully.
The approach taken by Grattan puts the onus on both children: the child who is being bullied is given tools for dealing with it, and the bully is rehabilitated (to the extent possible). Unfortunately, school dynamics are such that your child may be bullied for some time before it comes to the attention of staff. And the rehabilitation of the bully (and his/​her targets) could take years in some cases.
My advice to parents is to keep this in mind when looking at schools. Grattan is a charming school with hard-​working staff, but every parent I know whose kid has been bullied is incredibly frustrated by the approach to bullying here.

awesome!

Small, adorable public elementary in Cole Valley. The teachers seem highly engaged and a visit to the morning circle demonstrates what a small, tight-​knit community has formed around Grattan.
We were very lucky to have had a choice, transferring in a few weeks into school. We chose Grattan over Alvarado and McKinley, as well as a few private schools at which we had reserved a spot (Sacred Heart, Katherine Michiels). We decided that a small public school experience in a cozy neighborhood would be best and haven’t regretted it once.
Highlights include parent volunteerism, which is highly encouraged – volunteers are made to feel an integral part of the school. A small student body means everyone knows your child’s name and there are fun activities throughout the year for Grattan kids and their families. There is also an emphasis on exploring nature and cultivating kindness, which I found charming.
I was happy with the K instruction offered and found the teacher to be kind but firm, and very experienced. The classroom environment was comfortable, inviting, with clearly-​established routines softened by freedom to explore. In terms of school leadership, I think Mr. Reedy is doing a great job (I understand his predecessor was a principal of formidable talent). Mr. Reedy connects with both kids and parents, is passionate about what he does and obviously loves his job.
The only drawback at Grattan is what I perceive as an overall lack of diversity. With the exception of Asian-​americans, people «of color» seem under-​represented. The result is a very homogenous feel, and less laughter and warmth than I observed at some of the Spanish-​immersion schools, for ex (those from «warmer» cultures would know what I mean, so take that fwiw. And it’s not as though you have a guaranteed spot at one of those highly over-​subscribed immersion programs anyway.) Grattan parents are very friendly, however, and the school does go to some lengths to introduce multicultural elements in the coursework and field trips. And if you are passionate about diversity, the Boys and Girls club located 5 blocks away is an excellent option although most Grattan parents seem to choose the GASP or CDC after-​school programs.
Having experienced it for a year, I can understand why Grattan is a highly sought-​after San Francisco public elementary. If you can overlook the lack of diversity, I’d put it on my top 10 list: it is a charming school offering a solid education in a tight-​knit community.

Well this is my kids school and we love it. The school community is really great and the school staff are wonderful as well.
I have three children who currently attend Grattan, and love it. The school has a green school program with Gardening integrated into the curriculum, after school sports for most grades, and three after school programs for students. The after school programs (GASP, EXCEL, and CDC) provide after care until 6pm.
This school has become much more popular over the five years my children (well my oldest has been there five years) have been at Grattan.
There is a special ed program at the school, and the special ed kids are integrated into the school community.
Gene, the principle, is the kid of principle that knows every kid’s name and has a great rapport with the teaching staff and students. It’s a small school, ~250 students, with a fairly diverse student body economically, racially, and by most other measures…