A. The financial assistance budget for the 2020-2021 school year is $2,650,000. All prospective families will receive information about our tuition assistance program in the application packet. Socioeconomic diversity is an important goal, supported by the Board of Trustees, administration, and full community at Hamlin.
A. No. Hamlin families come from all over the Bay Area. We currently have over 40 zip codes represented in the Hamlin community. Most of our families live in San Francisco, although we have a significant number commuting from the North Bay and some from the East and South Bay. Carpooling is highly encouraged and recommended.
A. Our students come from many different preschools all over San Francisco and beyond. The current kindergarten, Class of 2029, has 21 preschools represented. The kindergarten classes of 2027, 2028, and 2029 combined have 42 preschools represented:
Alta Plaza Preschool Bright Horizons Kansas St Bright Horizons LDAC Calvary Presbyterian Preschool Cow Hollow Preschool Epiphany School FACES SF Golden Gate Guppies Grattan Elementary Growing Place Family Preschool Helping Hands Building STEAM JCCSF Helen Diller Family Preschool JCCSF Rosenberg Early Childhood Center Little Gators Preschool Lone Mountain Children's Center MAGC Garden Marin Day Schools Fremont St Marin Day Schools Sherith Israel Marina Tots Montessori Children's House Noriega Children Center One Fifty Parker Avenue School Our Lady of the Visitacion Valley Pacific Primary School Peekadoodle Peter's Place Phoebe Hearst Preschool Playgroup Presidio Early Education School Presidio Hill School Presidio Knolls Roland Park Country School Russian Hill Academy Sherman Elementary SLS Preschool St. James Preschool Stratford School - Montfort Stretch the Imagination Sutro Elementary Temple Emanu-El Preschool The Little School Tule Elk Park Children Center
A. World language instruction begins in Kindergarten for all students. Our Kindergarten through Grade 8 Spanish program builds toward second-language proficiency.
A. Many Hamlin graduates attend local independent and public high schools in San Francisco and neighboring communities. Hamlin graduates also choose to attend boarding schools around the country. As with elementary school admissions, it’s about each student finding the best fit. Please visit the High School Counseling page of our website for more information.
A. We incorporate multiple service learning opportunities into our regular curriculum that invite the girls to venture out into the larger San Francisco community, applying facts and concepts learned in school, and fostering relationships with other local organizations. Additionally, Hamlin faculty, in partnership with the Parents Association Lend-a-Hand Committee, provide age-appropriate service learning opportunities for Hamlin students and their families. We also firmly believe that school service cultivates good citizenship and leadership in our students, and we provide numerous opportunities for Hamlin girls to serve their school.
A. In the Middle School, a variety of sports are offered in the athletics program, and girls have the opportunity to play at the club, junior varsity, or varsity levels. Close to 90% of Hamlin Middle School students participate in athletics in some way! Club level, junior varsity, and varsity are offered in volleyball, cross country, and basketball; in soccer, club level and varsity are offered. We also offer a running club in the fall and spring.
Hamlin participates in the Bay Area Independent Athletic League (BAIAL).
A. Parents are an integral part of the school, and we encourage all of our parents to become involved with the Hamlin community. Through the Parents Association, parents are on campus helping in the lunchroom and the library, preparing for numerous Hamlin community events, organizing community service projects, or helping with school fundraisers. You can also find parents reading stories in the classrooms, driving on fieldtrips, sharing a particular expertise as a guest speaker in the classroom, and so much more.
A. Most definitely! Over two-thirds of our families are “dual working.” Hamlin's Extended Day program is available from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for all grades. Hamlin vacation camps are offered on days when school is not in session but many parents may still be at work. Whenever possible, we offer morning and evening meeting options to accommodate different schedules.
A. Absolutely. We feel it is important for you to have contact with our current community. Hamlin parents will be available at all of our admission events.
A. Teacher evaluations from your daughter’s present school are required as part of the application process. Additional letters of recommendation in support of your daughter’s application are neither expected nor required.