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Ida B. Wells

“The Three A's: Attendance, Attitude, Achievement”

AKA: IBWLower HaightPublic (referral)

Students
~200
Ratio
16:1
Tuition
Free

Admissions

Application due
Rolling (referral)
EnrollmentCenter@sfusd.edu
Visit admissions site

What makes this school special

  • One of SFUSD's two continuation high schools (with Downtown), serving students who are short on credits for their age and need a smaller, more personal route to a diploma
  • Small classes and individualized instruction in a deliberately family-like environment, organized around the "Three A's" — Attendance, Attitude, Achievement
  • Electives go well beyond typical credit-recovery fare: culinary arts, drama, ceramics, computer applications and robotics, even surfing
  • A Learning Lab, Wellness Center, and a dedicated attendance liaison back students up day to day

Academics

Curriculum

Credit recovery in small classes with individualized instruction, built around the Three A's: Attendance, Attitude, Achievement

Schedule

Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9:30am-2:40pm; Wed early release at 1:50pm

Signature programs

  • Culinary Arts
  • Drama
  • Computer Applications and Robotics
  • Ceramics
  • Surfing

Athletics, arts & activities

Arts

DramaCeramicsCulinary Arts

Life there

Food

Free for all students (SFUSD)

Learning support

Learning Lab for academic support, Wellness Center, Attendance Liaison

Often on the same list

Downtown High School

Public (referral) · 11-12

Independence High School

Public (referral)

June Jordan School for Equity

Public

Sources

  1. Ida B. Wells High School | SFUSD — name, address, grades, schedule, programs, support services
  2. Attendance Options: Alternative Schools | SFUSD Student & Family Handbook 3.8.10 — referral process, age requirement, required documents
  3. NCES Common Core of Data (2024-25) — enrollment, student:teacher ratio, % students of color
  4. SFMTA — 6 Haight/Parnassus, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero — transit routes
  5. Ida B. Wells High School | SFUSD — motto (the school's branded "Three A's": Attendance, Attitude, Achievement)

Last reviewed July 2026