At West Portal Lutheran School (WPLS) we are able to offer not only an academically challenging curriculum but a Christ-centered environment. West Portal Lutheran School ministers to the spiritual and moral, educational and physical, relational and aesthetic needs of our students who are in Kindergarten through the 8th grade. While keeping an academically challenging curriculum, we seek to enable our students to excel to the best of their abilities in a Christ-centered environment. The love and forgiveness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is evident each and every day at West Portal Lutheran.

West Portal Lutheran School is glad to accept all qualified applicants when space permits. Active members of the congregation and siblings of currently enrolled students have priority, however, families do not need to attend West Portal Lutheran Church or be Christian to apply and be accepted. All students are taught Christian values which are vital to the education at West Portal Lutheran School.

West Portal Lutheran Church began worshiping together on July 11, 1943 in the Empire Theater on West Portal Avenue. The Church building at 200 Sloat Boulevard was dedicated in 1948. West Portal Lutheran School is an extension of West Portal Lutheran Church and has been in existence since 1951. Our school has grown to two campus locations with over 300 students. Read more about our history.

There is a short assessment that will be scheduled for each new student entering our school. In addition, there is a teacher recommendation form to be filled out by the school in which the child currently attends. These recommendation forms are confidential. This recommendation needs to be returned in order for the application to be complete. For more on our items for Kindergarten Readiness, please click here. Students transferring into West Portal Lutheran School will need to be evaluated by our school prior to acceptance and come for a shadow day with the class that he/she is entering. A review of current Progress Reports (Report Cards, Achievement Test Scores, and conduct) will also be completed for transfer students.

Yes! Please sign up for a personalized a tour of either (or both) of our campuses or email admissions@wplsf.com. We also host Kindergarten Visit Days during application season. Please go to wplsf.com/visitus for more information.

West Portal Lutheran School is a vital component of the ministry of West Portal Lutheran Church. The church plays an essential role in supporting the school children and parents. West Portal Lutheran Church helps the partnership through Bible classes for all ages, youth ministries, music, and a family ministry.

Our general practice is for incoming kindergarten students to be five (5) years old by September 1 in the year they wish to enter West Portal Lutheran School. However, we believe in determining the individual readiness of each child, so we encourage incoming kindergarten students who do not meet the cut off to still apply.

Yes, West Portal Lutheran is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has also received National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

All homeroom teachers have obtained or or working towards either a State Credential, advanced education degree, and/or a Lutheran Teaching Diploma from one of the Concordia Universities of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

West Portal Lutheran follows both the California State standards and national standards. The curriculum for West Portal Lutheran includes those subjects commonly taught in elementary and middle schools as set forth by the State of California including Math, Reading, English, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Chinese (Grades 4-8), Spanish (Grades 4-8), Computer, Art, Religion, and Music. Our students are also one year ahead in our math curriculum as compared to public schools (e.g., 2nd graders are doing 3rd grade math). A strong emphasis is placed on basic traditional academic subjects as well as on religion. The MAP Growth assessment is given three times a year to to all students in grades 1-8 to assess growth, what they're ready to learn, and the specific skill gaps they need to master.

West Portal Lutheran School graduates attend the most desired schools in the Bay Area. These schools include Lowell, School of the Arts, Lick-Wilmerding, St. Ignatius, Sacred Heart, University, and Stuart Hall. View our recent high school acceptances.

We pray that West Portal Lutheran parents will train their child in the way of the Lord, nurture the development of their child’s faith by encouraging their child through instruction and by example to live a life of faith, prayer, worship and service to Christ, that they would pray for family, church and school, and take an active and involved interest in the education of their child.

The West Portal Lutheran faculty and staff are committed to working with families in helping to nurture the development of the whole child. It is the purpose of the school to be an extension of the home in Christian training. We wish to work with children and parents who are willing to walk with us in oneness of spirit and purpose. This oneness is based on a common value system, support for one another and cooperation. The strong partnership between the school and the home is an essential element in educating the whole child.

Our kindergarten through grade 3 classes are at our Sunset Campus at 3101 Moraga Street located on the corner of 37th Avenue and Moraga Street in the heart of the Sunset district of San Francisco. Our Sloat Campus for students in Grade 4 through 8 is at 200 Sloat Boulevard, located at the cross streets of 19th Avenue & Sloat Boulevard. Our church adjacent to the Sunset Campus at 200 Sloat Boulevard. School Locations

School begins promptly at 8:25 AM at each campus. We strongly encourage families to arrive by 8:20 AM so students can acclimate before beginning the day. Classes end at 2:45 PM for Kindergarten Classes end at 3:00 PM for grades 1-3 Classes end at 3:15 PM for grades 4-8

West Portal Lutheran offers extended care -- Early morning care (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM) and after-school care until 6:00 PM. In addition, our school offers a wide variety of after school enrichment programs.

West Portal Lutheran School limits its class size to 25 students assuring attention to all. Our K-3 classrooms have teachers’ aides as well as parent volunteers who help regularly. We have specialized teachers for physical education, computers, and music. For upper grades, we have specialized teachers for science, math, physical education, music, and foreign language.

Yes, West Portal Lutheran School does provide financial assistance. Information on scholarships and grants are available through our church and school accountant. For more information, contact Howard Scully, (415) 661-0242 ext 225, or email him: howard.scully@wplsf.com.

West Portal Lutheran School encourages parental involvement from each school family. Parental involvement benefits your children and the school. Parents are expected to volunteer 20 hours of service (for one enrolled child) or families will be charged to cover those services. Additional hours are required for enrolled siblings. Completion of these hours is required annually.

No, there is no actual fundraising amount required for the school. However, each time family participation does occur, it assists the school in keeping operating costs at a minimum.

West Portal Lutheran School has contracted with Choicelunch, an online lunch program in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lunch may be pre-ordered by the parent to have it delivered to the school daily. Parents have the convenience of ordering online.

The school sponsors numerous programs including an active team sports program for boys and girls in grades 4-8. Membership in the Catholic Youth Organization provides considerable opportunity for boys and girls to learn a sport and compete against other schools in basketball, volleyball, and track. Instructional basketball and volleyball clinics begin in grade 3.

We offer after-school enrichment activities such as piano, violin, and other instrumental lessons. Orchestra, handbell and school vocal choirs, art classes, science classes, scouting, and Mandarin classes are available also.

Classic Designs is the provider for our school uniforms. Approved school jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters are also available outerwear. West Portal Lutheran offers a used uniform program to offset some costs. We also have a Parent Teacher League (PTL) Recycled Uniform Coordinator.

Much of our school communication is centralized using ParentSquare. Our monthly Notes from the Principal’s Desk, annual and monthly school calendars, Parent and Parent Teacher League (PTL) Handbooks, forms and all the latest and greatest news are posted within ParentSquare.

All parents are members of the Parent-Teacher League (PTL) which assist with the funding of field trips, class parties, evening programs, campus lunch tables, gymnasium improvements, team uniforms, etc. We strongly encourage parents to be active in the lives of the children and West Portal Lutheran community. Our PTL hosts various activities and fundraisers for our school. Communication from the parent-school community is shared through this group.