A B O U T
Our School
Our Mission
Claire Lilienthal K-8 Alternative School inspires each student to achieve their maximum potential in an academically, culturally, and socially inclusive environment.
Our Vision
We aspire to provide all students access to a wide range of integrated learning opportunities so that they meaningfully experience, understand, and engage in the world around them as responsible citizens.
Claire Lilienthal is located in San Francisco, California and is a California Distinguished School with a mission to inspire each student to achieve their maximum potential in an academically, culturally, and socially inclusive environment. Lilienthal was founded on the ideals of equity, academic excellence, and parent partnership. These ideals continue to support the work we do today.
Currently, our robust CLPTA helps fund significant professional development for our already strong teaching staff. Our professional development programs inspire our staff, parents, and most importantly, pay it forward to our students.
Lilienthal’s staff and community also recognize the importance of providing social-emotional learning opportunities for our students. We’ve expanded access to counseling at both campuses and are implementing a curriculum that helps students self-regulate, manage interpersonal conflict, and contribute to a positive, happy school environment.
Enriching learning experiences can be found throughout the school as well. We have a wonderful garden program at both campuses run through ‘The Education Outside Program.’ Our students also take outdoor education trips each year. We also have a long history of arts integration and work with SFArtsEd to provide rigorous arts programming for the entire school and a dedicated art teacher.
Lilienthal is a two-track school offering both General Education (English only) and a Korean Immersion Program (KIP). KIP is the only one of its kind in Northern California. Welcoming both native Korean speaking students as well as English speakers, KIP seeks to achieve full bilingualism. KIP provides its students with the same curriculum as that provided to General Education students, but does so in both languages.
We also employ inclusive practices with our special needs students, and have early intervention for struggling readers as well as full time reading specialists on staff.
Thank you for your interest in Claire Lilienthal. We look forward to meeting you and partnering with you on the education of your child!
Principal Molly Pope & Asst. Principal Helen Kyungsun Youn
Madison Campus
{ Grades K - 2 }
Claire Lilienthal’s youngest students, from Kindergarten through 2nd grade, attend class at the Madison campus. Located in a quiet neighborhood in the Presidio Heights district, Madison campus comprises the former James Madison Elementary School’s facility along with a modern addition around an open sunny courtyard framed by two stories of classrooms with open hallways.
Winfield - Scott Campus
{ Grades 3 - 8 }
Located in the Marina district, our Winfield-Scott Campus, houses two academic buildings; one for Grades 3-5 and another for Grades 6-8. The Elementary building recently had a full renovation and the Middle School is brand new as of 2019 with a zero net energy two-story classroom building and brand new gymnasium and physical education facilities. The renovated and new build classrooms in both buildings incorporate inside/outside space wherever possible, interior corridors provide opportunity for extended learning spaces and the stairwells promote student gathering.
CL Basics
Madison Campus (Grades K-2)
3950 Sacramento St., SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
(415) 750-8603
Admin. Assistant: Kathleen Shushtar
Classes starts at 9:30 AM
Pick-up begins at 3:30 PM and ends at 3:45 PM. Wednesdays pick up is 2:30 PM.
Please see Welcome Back to School for More Pick-up & Drop-Off Info. releveant to your current school year.
Aftercare: On-campus aftercare is available at The Claire Lilienthal After School Program (CLASP). CLASP is a nonprofit organization licensed by the State Department of Social Services. CLASP is open every weekday. There is a an initial registration fee and an ongoing monthly fee. For further information concerning fees and CLASP programs contact CLASP at claspprogram@gmail.com | (415) 750-1577.
Winfield-Scott Campus (Grades 3-8)
3630 Divisadero St., SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
(415) 749-3516
Admin. Assistant: Candace (Candy) Selig
All Grades start at 9:30 AM.
3-5th Grade Pick-up begins at 3:45PM. Wednesdays pick up is 2:30PM.
6-8th Grade Pick-up begins at 4PM. Wednesdays pick up is 2:15PM.
Please see Welcome Back to School for More Pick-up & Drop-Off Info. releveant to your current school year.
Aftercare: On-campus aftercare is available at The Claire Lilienthal Learning Academy (CLLA). CLLA is provided with our community based partners at the Presidio YMCA. CLLA offers Lilienthal 3rd -8th grade students an extracurricular after-school program. CLLA is open every day after school. CLLA Emergency and Pick Up forms are available in the CLLA office and must be filled out prior to attending. General questions may be left for CLLA at the school office number of (415) 749-3516. To reach CLLA directly once your child is already enrolled, call (415) 749-1869. You can learn about other After School Programs on ParentSquare.
Our Programs
Learn about our Outdoor Ed., Korean Immersion, Music and Art, Physical Education, After School Programs & more.
Middle School photography by Tim Maloney.
:: Get Involved ::
Parent Partnership School
Claire Lilienthal is a “Parent Partnership” school, which means that all parents/guardians are encouraged and supported to actively participate with the teachers, staff and the administration, in their child’s educational experience. There are several different kinds of groups that support the educational mission at CL.
School Site Council (SSC): The SSC is a state-mandated, elected, consensus-based entity, which includes parents, teachers, and administration. It is the primary way the school community can participate in the review, development, and implementation of the school’s curriculum, as well as other important issues affecting the school.
Korean Immersion Program (KIP): CL has a Korean/English Immersion Program for grades K-8. KIP students generally participate in all curricular and extracurricular activities offered at Lilienthal. KIP is administered by our Principal.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA): The CLPTA is a child-advocacy body that meets monthly to develop fundraising and volunteer programs to support school academics, improve coordination between home and classroom, build a strong, supportive school community, and coordinate with SFUSD and statewide PTA activities. CLPTA membership is open to all parents/guardians, school administrative staff and faculty. Members vote on most PTA issues and PTA elections. The CLPTA Executive Board consists of individuals elected by the members of the PTA body (elections are held at the end of the school year). In addition to joining our PTA, volunteering, learn more about ways to give.