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“Before first round applications are due in two weeks, make a point to tour New Traditions, a truly exceptional elementary school (K-5) within the SFUSD.” in 3 reviews
“Having recently been honored as a "California Distinguished School", New Tradition faculty, families and strong PTA take pride in filling in gaps left by the state.” in 2 reviews
“We were attracted to NT because of the intensive arts focus, which is on par with places like the Creative Arts Charter school.” in 2 reviews
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- Max L.Kentfield, CA02Oct 22, 2021
I went there K-5th grade as a kid, and it was a truly wonderful experience. The relatively small size of the school contributed to me forming good bonds with classmates, and all-in-all it's a wonderful school that encourages arts. Strongly strongly recommended to set your child off on a brilliant path.
Also, a 1st grade teacher who's still there, Gary, is far and away my favorite teacher of all time.
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76512615989Jan 7, 2013Before first round applications are due in two weeks, make a point to tour New Traditions, a truly exceptional elementary school (K-5) within the SFUSD.
We just won a spot in the spring lottery and transferred into New Traditions, my original first choice among the District's elementary schools. Prior, I had toured Miraloma, West Portal, Creative Arts Charter School, Grattan, Sherman, Rooftop and Claire Lilienthal.
With bright and stimulating classrooms and hallways filled with children's artwork created under the tutelage of Meg, New Traditions' fabulous art teacher (the arts program funded by New Traditions' very strong PTA), New Traditions is led by an award-winning Principal and as of May 2012, awarded the prestigious "California Distinguished School" designation.
With reciprocal programs with San Francisco's major art institutions including the DeYoung, New Traditions has a traditional curriculum with a strong arts slant.
New Traditions is a nice, smaller size elementary school (student population around 250), with beautiful classrooms and grounds that include butterfly and vegetable gardens and a welcoming staff that makes you feel included in their community:
I ***highly recommend.Helpful 12Thanks 0Love this 10Oh no 0- Karla F.San Francisco, CA29515242Apr 12, 2013
I love this school! We were welcomed into New Traditions after our difficult departure from The Hamlin School. I was still suffering from serious anxiety upon entering NT. But, after meeting with Principal Agudelo (Principal of the Year) and other miraculous members of the staff who welcomed us with open arms; I knew we were home.
When my daughter was at Hamlin, I NEVER really felt welcomed into the school. I would tell perspective parents who visited on Hamlin tours "that you have to take yourself out of the picture and pick the school that you think is the best fit for your child." Once we became a New Traditions family, I knew that I had been extremely wrong!
New Traditions has truly become an extension of our family! When searching for the right school; it is IMPORTANT to look for a good fit for the family as a whole....not just the child. If mom doesn't feel welcomed and accepted; the child will never truly feel that as well. The warmth and comfort we have experienced since being at NT does not compare to where we came from.
Academically, New Traditions is strong! Having recently been honored as a "California Distinguished School", New Tradition faculty, families and strong PTA take pride in filling in gaps left by the state. Your child will lack for nothing at this school!
Take a tour! Go see it for yourselves! New Traditions truly is one of SFUSD's best kept secrets!Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 6Oh no 0 
Derk L.San Francisco, CA12112Aug 4, 2010First to ReviewWhat a great school We only have good things to say about this school.
It is called in full New Traditions Creative Arts School, and it performs as one. Meg the art teacher is great, she included a lot of the art from NT in the annual art show at the de Young art show. Parent participation is big, and there is a feeling of neighborhood involvement.Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0
Susan L.San Francisco, CA33136Mar 7, 2015Updated reviewFor more information about the benefits of a late start school - New Traditions starts at 9:30! - check out this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/27/school-start-times-sleep_n_6715142.html?ir=Parents&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0May 31, 2014Previous reviewHere's a testimonial I wrote about our experience at New Traditions this year for the SF Parents for Public School website, which you can find at http://www.ppssf.org/Enrollment/Testimonials_enrollment.html#New_Traditions:
New Traditions is one of the smallest elementary schools in SFUSD with just two kindergarten classes, two first grade classes, etc. and full capacity of 266 expected students this year. Due, in part, to our small size New Traditions community remains a warm, welcoming nurturing environment. As the parent of an incoming kindergartener last year, I was delighted by how quickly my child learned not only the names of each of the students in his own kindergarten class, but also to master (1) each of the names of each of the students in the other kindergarten class, (2) the students in the first grade classes who attended recesses and lunches with the kindergarteners, as well as (3) many of the students in the other grades who were the kindergartener's and first grader's siblings.
New Traditions - with its school-wide API score of 853 - is one of the shining jewels in SFUSD's gleaming crown. In 2013, New Traditions was recognized as a 2012 California Distinguished School. That important distinction is priceless for a smaller-sized school like ours: it demonstrates the strong commitment and innovative ways in which New Tradition's principal, Maria Luz Agudelo, and the New Traditions teachers, students and parents have successfully worked to bring up test scores across the entire school population including the 41% of our current student population who come from low socio-economic status homes.
This fall, I was assisting in leading a tour of our school with the parents of potential New Traditions kindergarteners when one of the parents commented that New Traditions reminded her of the diverse urban school environment she envied when she was as a young child watching "Sesame Street." In terms of our diversity, according to the most recent figures available, our school population identifies as 26% African-American/black, 9% Asian, 12% Hispanic/Latino and 37% White/Caucasian.
Additionally, New Traditions was an early adopter - and has fully implemented - SFUSD's mandate for a "high quality model" of full inclusion for all students, which won't be fully implemented in all SFUSD schools until 2015. That means our current special education students (26 students, or 10% of our student population) and English Language Learners (also 26 students, or 10% of our student population) are fully engaged in our classroom learning environments.
New Tradition's small, nurturing environment coupled with its special statewide distinction as a "California Distinguished School" across such a varied and diverse demographic demonstrates how truly exceptional it is. Naturally, no school can be the perfect fit for every San Francisco student and family member. While we can agree there's always more work to be done, New Traditions has clearly demonstrated it is a school that is on the right track. New Traditions Principal Agudelo, her terrific team of teachers, and the larger New Traditions community continue to develop and implement new ways for each and all New Traditions students to learn and thrive at their highest potential.Jan 19, 2013Previous reviewShhh, don't tell anyone but sometimes the best things come in small packages. Take New Traditions Elementary School, for example. I'll be the first to admit it wasn't my first school - our neighborhood school, Grattan, was - but we are so fortunate to have been placed at New Traditions instead. It is definitely the right school for me and my family.
Why?
(1) Its small size means my child not only knows all the kids in his class, but he also knows all the kids in the other kindergarten class, and the first graders who he plays with on the playground at recess. The kids are all "buddied" up and have a mentor-mentee relationship that strengthens the community across the grades.
(2) Dedicated parents and an active, diverse, engaged community that strives to make the school better and better: this year, the greening committee worked on changing the concrete area where the kids meet for circle time before school into a natural habitat garden. As a result of such a vibrant and active community, my child knows the parents of many of the kids who go to his school and when we recognize New Traditions kids and their parents in the neighborhood, people are friendly and warm. Someone on a school tour said our school reminded them of the community on "Sesame Street," and that really struck me as a great analogy.
(3) A curriculum that, in my view, balances the inherent connections between art, science and general education - so, for example, making snowflakes isn't just an "art" project, but rather a fun, hands-on lesson in explaining symmetry in the natural world. The art teacher, Meg, is a wonder and the Gardening teacher, Rachel, is enthusiastic and warm: she has made "herb butter" with the kids from the herbs they've grown in the garden and helps each kid to keep a "weather journal' for the kids to track the seasons. Carla, the music teacher, has been teaching the kindergarteners a counting song in Swahili!
The bottom line for me is that while NO school is perfect - issues always come up, whether you're at a private school or a public school! - when issues came up for my child at New Traditions this year, they were resolved in a way in which my child felt safe, his needs were met, and he was treated fairly. For all these reasons, and so many more, we feel tremendously grateful to be a part of the New Traditions community.
Peter H.San Francisco, CA211836Jan 13, 2015Wasn't sure about NT-didn't know a soul. Beautiful campus w garden & open playground. Focus on arts & outdoor ed.
Had a great tour w friendly open parents, teachers & staff. Answered all my questions & helped w stress. Motivated caring principal. Great counselor & social wkr.
Lots of welcome by parents-small warm environment. Good for my kid not to feel lost & become best student possible. Hidden treasure in the NOPA. An oyster.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0- Trevor T.San Francisco, CA08Apr 3, 2013
New Traditions (NT) must be the best kept secret in the SFUSD. From what I've seen and heard, it's *easily* one of the best schools in the district (along with Rooftop and Clarendon), but for some odd reason not many people have heard of it (although the word is finally getting out). Maybe because it's a small school?
Anyhow, my son is in second grade, this is his second year at NT. We were attracted to NT because of the intensive arts focus, which is on par with places like the Creative Arts Charter school. Students have weekly classes in art, music, dance, and gardening that are separate from the regular curriculum/class and taught by experts. There is a *very* active PTA that raises money for numerous projects and a strong community feeling to the place. Recently, asphalt was ripped out for a new garden and cistern, which complements the gardens that were already there.
Most importantly, my son has been happy and thriving at NT. He's loved his last two teachers and takes it for granted that he gets to do art all the time and perform (singing) with his class in front of audiences. He's also doing well academically, I think mostly because the environment as a whole is enriching and keeps the basics like math and reading more interesting. The physical environment of the school is in very good shape for a public school, with fresh paint, clean bathrooms, tidy halls, and beautiful art and academic projects covering all the walls. Just walking around you can tell that NT is a well-loved, well-cared for place.
I could say a lot more, but basically NT is an excellent public school with many great qualities. NT is not perfect, but now that we've been part of it for almost two years I see clearly that it's a very good school that's actually getting better all the time. What more can you ask for?Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 
Megan M.Anaheim, CA175156Jun 26, 2014I will be 35 years old in about two months, this means it's been about 30 years since I first started school at New Traditions. Dang I'm getting old lol anyways I just want to leave a review letting all of you parents know that enrolling your children at this school could turn out to be one of the most prolific experiences your child ever has. I unfortunately didn't get to stay at NT for all of my elementary education and I let my parents know at every turn how unhappy I was that NT wasn't in San Jose! I wish I could have bottled my experiences and taken them with me but unfortunately that wasn't possible. I have always said that Diane and Odette were my favorite teachers of all time and that's going back to 1986. I wish that NT was everywhere if I ever have children I only hope I can find a school as awesome as New Traditions and it's sad to say that unless I get lucky enough to be able to afford to live in The City again this probably won't happen. I hope that the students that have come and gone over the years and the future students of New Traditions appreciate how rare an opportunity they have been given to learn in such an amazing atmosphere.
Oh ya one more thing because of my education at New Traditions I speak three languages I can half ass play four instruments, I have an extreme appreciation for art in all of it's various forms, and I see the world in all of it's technicolor splendor!Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 4Oh no 0- Randy W.San Francisco, CA591622May 16, 2011
2 kids here. Small school, Changing quickly. Very involved PTA. Love Art teacher Meg. Very good gardening/ Greening program.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Dr T.San Francisco, CA0261Aug 4, 2017
Terrific school; we endured the lottery system (with NT as our first choice) for three rounds until finally (a week into the first term) we got the phone call we'd been crossing our fingers and toes for. NT is a short stroll across the Panhandle for us (a blessing - no driving!) and starts at 9.30am (works great for our schedule) but far more important of course is the quality of the school. Our daughter loves it here, I can't think of a time we've ever picked her up at the end of the day (aftercare until 6pm!) and she's not been full of joy and smiles and in no hurry to leave. Her reading and math has come along well, our fridge door is barely visible behind thick layers of her artwork, and the atmosphere in the playground every morning is energetic and fun. They have a school "motto" which the kids say every Monday morning in the playground meeting which reminds them to be responsible and respectful of others, and (cheesy as it sounds) it works. The other parents are relaxed and fun, the teachers are kind, the after-school care team are inventive and endlessly patient, there's smiles everywhere. We literally could not be happier with the place; I wish I'd enjoyed my school as much as our daughter enjoys NT. It feels like family.
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