Amidst national economic concerns, San Franciscans are prioritizing a different issue: addressing perceived "chaos and lawlessness" and pushing back against the progressive left's influence, according to local activists. This shift in focus coincides with a growing trend in the city: the rise of classical Christian schools.
While public school enrollment declines nationwide, these faith-based institutions offering a classical liberal arts education are gaining momentum in San Francisco. In the past five years, three such schools have opened in the Bay Area, a trend highlighted by The San Francisco Standard.
Donum Dei Classical Academy, a K-8 school with a Bible-based curriculum, stands out in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, an area known for its progressive values. Despite this contrast, the school has experienced significant growth, adding 25 students since 2019 and seeing donations increase dramatically from $45,692 to $773,319 in 2023.
Donum Dei is not alone. Other classical Christian schools in San Francisco, including Nativity High School, Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, and Stella Maris, are also seeing increased interest. These schools attract parents seeking a curriculum rooted in "tradition, faith, and conservative values."
At Stella Maris, "woke" books are removed from the library, and preferred pronouns are not a topic of discussion, reflecting a different approach than many public schools. At Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, parents have expressed a desire for an education that isn't "too far to the left."
This movement towards classical Christian education aligns with a broader national trend. The Association of Classical Christian Schools reports 502 member schools in the U.S. as of 2023. This growth coincides with declining public school enrollment in major U.S. cities, as reported by the Manhattan Institute.
