Lowell

“Let there be knowledge”

LakeshorePublic

Lowell High School

“Let there be knowledge”

AKA: LowellLakeshorePublic

Students: ~2,590
Ratio: 21:1
Tuition: Free

Admissions

Application opens: October 23, 2026
Application due (early deadline): December 11, 2026
Star Reading & Math test (non-SFUSD applicants): Late January
Offers released: Week of March 15, 2027
Grades 10–12 transfer window: Mid-May to late June

EnrollmentCenter@sfusd.edu

Visit admissions site

Enrollment: ~2,590
Student:teacher: 21:1
Base tuition: Free
Real cost: $0–$3k

What makes this school special

The oldest public high school west of the Mississippi, and still SFUSD's academic flagship
Admissions is local legend: a pandemic lottery, then back to merit "bands" after a board recall
Has a reputation as a pressure cooker. There's even a documentary about it, Try Harder! (2021)

Academics

Curriculum

Extensive AP and honors courses

World languages

French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish

Schedule

Semester

Signature programs

Army JROTC
Lowell Science Research Program
Lowell Forensic Society (debate)
Early College Program (City College partnership)

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · CIF San Francisco Section (AAA)

BaseballBasketballCross CountryFlag FootballFootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling

Arts

Visual ArtMedia ArtsArchitectureCeramicsChoirBandGuitarOrchestraMusic TheoryDramaTechnical TheaterDance

Clubs & activities · 100+

The Lowell (newspaper)Forensic SocietyMock TrialCardinalBotics (robotics)Science Research ProgramModel United NationsBlack Student UnionChinese Cultural ClubChess ClubGirls Who CodeLowell Math SocietyQuiz BowlInvestment ClubMuslim Student AssociationPhotography ClubKey Club

See all clubs

Life there

Food

Free for all students (SFUSD)

Learning support

Special Education department; Wellness, Peer Resources, and tutoring

Notable alumni

Stephen Breyer (US Supreme Court Justice)
William Hewlett (HP co-founder)
Daniela Amodei (Anthropic co-founder)
Carol Channing (actress)
Dian Fossey (researcher)
Albert Michelson (Nobel physicist)

Admissions

Application opens: October 23, 2026
Application due (early deadline): December 11, 2026
Star Reading & Math test (non-SFUSD applicants): Late January
Offers released: Week of March 15, 2027
Grades 10–12 transfer window: Mid-May to late June

EnrollmentCenter@sfusd.edu

Visit admissions site

The application

Unlike the rest of SFUSD, Lowell admits on academic merit rather than the citywide lottery. Applicants file the Lowell Supplemental Application through SFUSD ParentVUE by the early-December deadline and submit STAR Reading and Math scores (the district test; non-SFUSD applicants sit it in late January) along with 7th- and 8th-grade transcripts and proof of San Francisco residency. Applicants are ranked into three admission bands by GPA and test score. A separate transfer window for grades 10–12 runs from mid-May to late June.