Directory

Public · Mission Dolores · AKA: MHS

Mission High

“We're on a Mission to Change the World”

Students
~990
Ratio
17:1
Tuition
Free

What makes this school special

  • The oldest high school in San Francisco still on its original site (founded 1890), in a landmark 1927 Churrigueresque building with a 127-foot dome and WPA-era murals — directly across from Dolores Park
  • A dedicated Newcomer Pathway gives recently arrived immigrant students intensive English Language Development in every subject
  • Six career-technical (CTE) pathways, including ones you won't find elsewhere in the district (Fire Science and Urban Agriculture), plus dual enrollment (college classes for credit) at CCSF and SFSU
  • 85% of the class of 2021 went on to college, 60% to four-year universities; recent graduates attend Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Cornell, and Spelman
  • The arts program runs deep: band, choir, and a mariachi ensemble

Academics

Curriculum

Equity-centered comprehensive school: AVID, dual enrollment at CCSF and SFSU, and project-based CTE pathways; AP/honors capped at three per year

Advanced Placement

8 AP courses

See the course list

World languages

Spanish, Arabic

Schedule

Block (rotating)

Signature programs

  • Newcomer Pathway (intensive English Language Development for recent immigrants)
  • Six CTE pathways — Peer Resources/Educator, Urban Agriculture, Environmental Science, Media Arts, Public Health, Fire Science
  • Dual enrollment at CCSF and SFSU
  • AVID

UC admissions

In fall 2025, 100 students applied to the UC system from this school; 97 were admitted to at least one campus, and 48 enrolled.

What these numbers can and can’t tell you

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · CIF San Francisco Section (AAA)

Baseball (boys)BasketballCross CountryFlag Football (girls)Football (boys)SoccerSoftball (girls)CheerTennis (girls)Track & FieldVolleyballWrestling

Arts

BandChoirMariachiVisual & Performing ArtsMedia ArtsPhotographyCreative Writing

Clubs & activities

Black Student UnionLatinx Community CouncilStudent GovernmentPeer ResourcesThe Mission Chronicle (newspaper)Mission Reads Book Club
See all clubs

Life there

Food

Free for all students (SFUSD), including after-school supper

Learning support

On-site Wellness Center, College and Career Center, AVID, credit recovery, Newcomer ELD program, special education (Resource Specialist Program, SOAR, ACCESS)

Notable alumni

  • Carlos Santana (musician and songwriter)
  • Joe Cronin (Baseball Hall of Famer)
  • James Rolph (Governor of California, SF Mayor)
  • Vincent DeDomenico (inventor of Rice-A-Roni)
  • Charles Phan (chef, The Slanted Door)
  • Bobby Freeman (rock and roll performer, "Do You Want to Dance")

Often on the same list

Balboa High School

Public

Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School

Public

John O'Connell High School

Public

Sources

  1. Mission High School | SFUSD — name, address, hours, clubs, support services, recent-graduate college destinations
  2. Welcome to Mission High School | SFUSD — motto, academic model, signature programs
  3. Mission HS 2022-23 Profile | SFUSD — AP courses and cap, college matriculation
  4. Mission details | SFUSD — world languages, arts, sports, transit, learning support, dual enrollment (college classes at CCSF or SFSU)
  5. NCES Common Core of Data (2024-25) — enrollment, student:teacher ratio, % students of color
  6. How student assignment works | SFUSD — application process, deadlines, tiebreakers
  7. Mission Athletics | SFUSD — sports by season and gender, via the linked 2026-27 sports list
  8. Mission High School | Wikipedia — 1890 founding, landmark building, alumni

Details checked August 2026