SFUSD Welcomes Back Secondary Students in Focal Populations

Posted Date

SFUSD Welcomes Back Secondary Students in Focal Populations

Press Release

San Francisco (April 26, 2021) - The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is welcoming back almost 2,000 middle and high school students in focal populations to in-person learning beginning today, April 26. These students include those in special day classes, newcomer students, students experiencing homelessness, students residing in foster care, students residing in public housing, and students who have had limited engagement with online learning. 

SFUSD has been gradually returning students to in-person learning since April 12. As of this week, over 19,000 students have returned to in-person learning. Eighty-seven schools have reopened in the last two weeks and all Pre-K to 5th grade students have been invited to return.

“There has been a lot of preparation to get to this moment. We wanted to return in phases so we could learn as we go how to continue to improve the experience for our students,” said SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews. “This is a moment to celebrate, but we also know there are many students who want to return and can’t at this time. We truly wish we could reopen all schools for every student now, and we will continue to work on solutions that address the diverse needs of our SFUSD families.”

“We recognize that students and families will experience this last part of the school year in different ways and we want to be sensitive to that and meet students where they are,” said SF Board of Education President Gabriela Lopez. “There will be bumps in the road. This is a once in a lifetime pandemic and the situation evolves every day. School will feel different from before the pandemic for so many reasons, including the health and safety protocols, but schools are still places for connection and interaction.”

SFUSD has committed to welcoming all students for full in-person learning five days a week next school year starting August 16 as public health conditions allow. 

About SFUSD

SFUSD is the seventh largest school district in California, educating over 56,000 preK-12 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.”

More information regarding SFUSD and in-person learning:

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