Combination Classes with Multiple Grade Levels

Due to declining enrollment across our district, we face important decisions to maintain fiscal stability while ensuring high-quality instruction for all students. Combination classes allow us to efficiently utilize our resources and maintain smaller class sizes that benefit student learning and individual attention. SFUSD is committed to ensuring that every child receives the support and challenge appropriate for their academic and developmental stage. 

Some Kindergarten classrooms that have fewer than 15 students currently enrolled will become K-1 combination classes in the 2025-26 school year. The exception to this criterion is if there are more than 15 Transitional Kindergarten students who will be automatically promoted to that Kindergarten class the next year. These classrooms are not full enough for the district to maintain. At impacted schools, the Kindergarten capacities in 2025-26 will be reduced by half a class, and incoming Kindergarten students will be in a  K-1 combination class, but all students currently enrolled at those schools will still stay there for 1st grade. The Enrollment Center will track overall Kindergarten applications and in the case of additional Kindergarten applications, will add back classrooms. Here is more information on setting school capacities.

Teachers in combination classes will receive support in delivering differentiated instruction, meaning they thoughtfully adapt lessons to meet the developmental needs of students from both grade levels. Our educators carefully plan and organize their teaching so each child engages with lessons tailored specifically to their grade level standards, strengths, and areas of growth. Students will experience whole-group activities, small-group learning opportunities, and targeted individual support, ensuring all learners receive a challenging, supportive, and nurturing educational experience.

Teachers will receive guidance and recommendations along with targeted coaching to support differentiated instruction, ensuring they effectively address the distinct academic and developmental needs of students. Additionally, teachers will collaborate regularly to share best practices, plan lessons, and monitor student progress closely.

Students will move up each grade level until they complete elementary school in 5th grade. The configuration of each class will depend on enrollment for each grade level. If your student is in a combination class this year, they may or may not be in one the next year. It will depend on the number of students for each grade level. Having a combination class does not necessarily mean that the program will be closed but it could be a potential factor in the sustainability of the program.

Starting on April 28, 2025, open enrollment for the 2025-26 school begins. Families who would like to change to another school should call the Enrollment Center at 415-241-6085 or go to Room 100 at 555 Franklin Street. Placement into another school will depend on the availability of open seats for a specific grade level and will not automatically result in placement in a straight-grade class.