For public elementary schools in the SFUSD: Alamo, Lafayette, Alice Fong Yu, Ulloa, Feinstein and Stevenson to name a few.

I would recommend Sanchez Elementary School.
My daughter attented there and the principal is so nice to everyone. They have after school program for kids to get involve. The school is also in a great location , Kid SAFE. !

Are you interested in public or private school?

Oh yes, i vouch for Fairmount Elementary in SF.

SF truly is embracing that our children learn at least 2 languages. I don't know what other public school districts can make that statement. But like any school, parent involvement is vital.

I would say it depends on what you consider "the best". I know that in NYC there are "top" schools, but on the west coast it is much more laid back. There are families who could easily afford the $30,000/year tuition of the exclusive privates but gladly choose public, or you have working families who choose parochial to give their children a different education than a public one, and so on. What does "the best" mean to you? Exclusivity? Nurturing? Diversity?

I have investigated the whole area in referrence to schools. Since Oct 06, when my husband started commuting from Atl to East Bay area. SF area is huge...where will your work be...b/c then you can discuss the schooling...

"Welcome to the LEFT Coast", I was born and rasied in "the City" but now live in the East Bay, in Alameda. My parents sent all of us (4) to the local, most convenient school which was one block away and happened to be a private, Catholic school/missionary for Japanese immigrants that, unfortunately no longer exist, Morning Star School. Sorry I can't help with any specific recommendations other than telling you San Francisco is no different than any other large, major city that is currently going thru funding and budget issues. Just like NYC, it is a diverse, multi-cultural community and I feel for all the "negative" and sensationalized stories you read and hear about in the news, there are probably 10 or more positive events happening everyday that you don't hear about! I am an advocate for our public school systems and believe they are only as good as the support it gets from the parents of the students who need to be involved and take on their share of the responsibility for educating their children; school failures are due to those that think "that's it" when their kids leave each morning and literally "dump" on the teachers, as if they are their own personal tutors! The challenge needs to be shared both at school, as well as at home. If you decide to go the public school route and depending on which neighborhood you settle into, I'd suggest doing some research on-line, thru word of mouth with neighbors/friends, etc., and wish you the "best of luck" on which ever school you pick! Again, "welcome" to the SF Bay Area!