Directory

Public (referral) · Inner Sunset · AKA: Independence, IHS

Independence High

Students
~240
Ratio
16:1
Tuition
Free

What makes this school special

  • SFUSD's independent-study high school: students come to campus 5-15 hours a week and do the rest of their coursework on their own schedule, each with an assigned advisor
  • Built for students whose lives don't fit an 8-to-3 bell schedule — jobs, family caregiving, serious athletic or artistic commitments
  • Unlike the district's continuation schools, families can actively request Independence; there's no age minimum and no credit-deficiency requirement
  • Real enrichment despite the flexible format: a Media Arts CTE pathway with a KQED-TV collaboration, dual credit at City College, internships, and electives from surfing to mural painting to LGBTQIA Studies

Academics

Curriculum

Independent study with flexible, individualized scheduling: students attend campus 5-15 hours per week and complete coursework on their own, supported by an assigned advisor, with project-based and online options

World languages

Spanish

Schedule

Flexible/individualized; campus open Mon-Thu 9:00am-3:00pm, Fri 9:00am-12:45pm

Signature programs

  • Media Arts CTE pathway (video, digital art; KQED-TV collaboration)
  • Concurrent enrollment at City College of San Francisco (dual credit)
  • Internship placement and job training
  • Electives — surfing, outdoor education, mural painting, journalism, LGBTQIA Studies, film studies

UC admissions

In fall 2025, 20 students applied to the UC system from this school; 10 were admitted to at least one campus, and 3 enrolled.

What these numbers can and can’t tell you

Athletics, arts & activities

Arts

CeramicsDrawingPaintingMural PaintingMedia Arts

Clubs & activities

The Hawkery (newspaper)Dungeons & DragonsVolleyballQ Group
See all clubs

Life there

Food

Free for all students (SFUSD)

Learning support

Advisory system (every student has a go-to adult), Learning Lab, college counseling, Wellness Center with daily drop-in

Often on the same list

Downtown High School

Public (referral)

Ida B. Wells High School

Public (referral)

Life Learning Academy Charter School

Public charter

Sources

  1. Independence High School | SFUSD — name, address, grades, model, programs, support services
  2. How to Apply to Independence High School | SFUSD — voluntary transfer process, school code, orientation
  3. Attendance Options: Alternative Schools | SFUSD Student & Family Handbook 3.8.10 — alternative-school enrollment options
  4. NCES Common Core of Data (2024-25) — enrollment, student:teacher ratio, % students of color
  5. SFMTA — 6 Hayes/Parnassus, N Judah, 44 O'Shaughnessy — transit routes
  6. Independence Details | SFUSD — world language (Spanish)

Details checked August 2026