COVID-19 Testing for Students

Testing is a very important part of keeping our schools safe by caring for ourselves and others and helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.  

Here is how SFUSD is providing COVID-19 testing to students, staff, and families. 

Testing is not mandatory. All students will be able to come to school if a family chooses not to have them participate in COVID-19 testing.

Check out our frequently asked questions about monitoring and testing for COVID-19.

Free and low-cost testing options:

• Find free or low-cost testing at pharmacies and community-based sites.
• Get free tests at San Francisco-run sites. If you have health insurance, the City will bill your insurance.
• If you have health insurance, your insurance must cover 8 home tests per person each month. Check your insurance company’s website to see how to get tests by pick up or reimbursement. 

For more information about COVID-19 testing, or to find a testing site near you, visit sf.gov/gettested or call SFDPH’s COVID Resource Center at 628-652-2700.

If your student tests positive for COVID-19, we strongly recommend following California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines:

If the test is positive:

• Stay home and isolate for at least 5 days
• Wear a mask
• Return if:
  • Symptoms are not severe, AND
  • They have spent at least 24 hours with no fever, without taking fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)

Learn more about isolation and quarantine guidelines.