Dear Prospective Families,

We know how crucial art education is for our children. The renowned artist, inventor, and architect Leonardo da Vinci once said, “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science.” This philosophy lies at the heart of our mission at San Francisco High School of the Arts.

I co-founded this school with a group of dedicated parents because we wanted something exceptional for our children: a school that offers not only arts education but also professional arts training. Our vision was to go beyond the typical children’s level of art instruction and provide an environment where creativity and discipline could thrive side by side with academic excellence.

We firmly believe that artists learn even better with their creative minds and their willingness to work hard. The soft skills developed through rigorous arts training—such as perseverance, attention to detail, and innovative thinking—enhance academic performance and personal growth. Moreover, we emphasize universal values like respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, empathy, and tolerance, fostering a well-rounded character in each student.

Our school stands on three pillars: character education, art, and academic excellence. We believe that these elements combined will help our children become significant contributors to society and the world. After more than a dozen years of dedication and experience, I am proud to say that we have achieved what we set out to do.
We invite you to explore our school and experience the difference firsthand.

Warm regards,

Dr. Sherry Zhang
Head of School
San Francisco High School of the Arts

Dr. Sherry Zhang was a founding member of San Francisco High School of the Arts in 2009. She obtained her Ph. D. in Chemistry from Oregon State University and completed her postdoctoral work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab conducting research on lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles. Dr. Zhang is an entrepreneur and the founder of a Silicon Valley-based company. Dr. Zhang has been the Head of School of San Francisco High School of the Arts since 2015. She is also a member of Americans for the Arts.