I believe Woodside International is far and away the best kept secret in the San Francisco Private School circuit. We have been very fortunate to have found Woodside for our two very bright and challenging boys.  We had heard glowing reports about the school from a fellow school parent at another school and decided to check it out.  Meeting with John Edwards for the first time, the founder and headmaster of this Irving Street school, was frankly disorienting.  I wanted to say "are you for real?"  He was unusually open minded, open hearted and totally attentive.  He has a collaborative style that is totally genuine and welcomed. And it doesn't stop with the initial interview....  it has been going on for us for the last two years!  It has been a very personal, caring, and satisfying experience.  And the education is rigorous and top notch!  Mr. Edwards  has positioned his office right at the front door of the school with an very open door -- that says alot.  After 12 years with our children at a full range of other private schools with the heads of schools always sophisticated and accommodating. Woodside's headmaster takes the experience to a whole new, deeper level -- he is very open minded, very open hearted and totally unconditionally attentive.  And his teaching staff reflects his high standards.  How does he do this after 30 years?  Amazing!  Any one who sends their children to this school will breathe a sigh of relief and benefit from this out-of-the-box, seasoned, thoughtful environment. Be ready for a wonderfully  nurturing, engaging experience for your children and you that is unparalleled. 

-Don Propstra

Our move to San Francisco and to Woodside was quite unexpected. It was my elder boy's determination, which started us here. It was almost an instinct that told me that I could trust Mr. Edwards, As of today, I have no doubt about our decision. Results from the college applications are yet to come, but this is another issue out of our hands. My son is aware of it, but he is confident that he could not have done better elsewhere, and he has nothing to regret. These are impressive words to hear from a 17-year-old boy.   I want to thank Mr. Edwards, Andrea and the whole faculty for their incomparable academic and mental support.

Following Mr. Edwards suggestions, the senior boy retook his SAT tests. In 3 months, he was able to push up his critical reading scores from 560 to 690. His writing scores from 650 to 750. His math was already at 770.  It is amazing what miracle mental support and reliance could bring.

I believe the potential was there, but he needed the Woodside magic.

Apart from the senior‘s issue, I am impressed by the faculty; at Woodside, the teachers are really trying to teach. Their feedbacks on the students are amazingly prompt. This is nothing like what the boys had experienced before. The progress report also helps the boys check on what is required and keep their spirits up . This school policy has built a very good study habit in my 10th grader, and he has really learned how to study.  He is confident and happy than ever before.

Thank you so much.

-Yasuko

At Woodside every student is treated as an individual worthy of respect. The teachers and staff are flexible and understanding at the same time that they uphold good boundaries and maintain academic excellence.  Thanks to Woodside, my daughter has grown and matured at her own speed, and takes great pride in her successes.

-AB

My Daughter is a sophomore at Woodside. This is her first year here and my husband and I must say that we are very pleased with her progress at Woodside. She was previously a student at Mercy in San Francisco and was struggling immensely. It seemed as though she got "lost in the shuffle" academically. No matter how hard she tried she really struggled to keep up. That is, until she wanted to give Woodside a try.

It seems as though she has blossomed this year. She is passionate with her studies and shares with us what she has learned in the classroom. Sometimes we have long discussions about what she has learned. Whether it be in biology or philosophy, English or history, she has opened up to use more and she seems a happier and motivated student than she was last year.

The class sizes are small enough so that she can get more individualized attention and the teachers are available whenever needed. I am really impressed by the monthly progress reports. We can see how our child is progressing and have the opportunity to meet with teachers and/or Mr. Edwards if necessary. The lines of communication are always open when it comes to Woodside. This is a relief for me since we can work with her early if she needs extra help before it goes on too long and she falls too far behind.

Mr. Edwards has been most helpful in planning for our daughter's academic future. He is aware of the needs of ALL Colleges and Universities and we feel that he will be there for our daughter every step of the way. I have no doubt that she will be able to meet the criteria of any college she applies to.

- V. R.

Woodside was our son's third high school and we were losing hope that we would find the right place for him. What a breath of fresh air! The program is truly student-centered, each student is treated as an individual, the administration is flexible and understanding and the teachers are friendly and engaging. We feel lucky to have found this gem in our backyard.

My son has adjusted well to WIS after spending his freshman year at another school. He enjoys being in a friendly, supportive, co-ed environment, where students are judged by what's inside them, not by a specific dress code. He likes the variety in the curriculum and with class periods under an hour he can remain much better focused and engaged on the class material. Easy access to the administration, teachers and assignments given on a weekly bases really help with organization and time management. The regular directed study periods help him keep up with his workload, as well as give him time to review material.

Woodside International School has just the right chemistry for teenagers. Classes are challenging yet my son never has felt so overwhelmed that quitting ever became a solution. The most important thing for teenagers is engagement and support. In public schools my son was sent to the back of the room because he had hyperactivity and was often victimized by kids who did not care about school. My son has increased his GPA by two full points on average and he has never cut class. He feels an important part of the school community. He is able to be responsible and able to direct his energy.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! WIS has helped my son recognize and experience the pleasures and rewards of learning.

Woodside is a perfect fit for my unique daughter.

WIS has turned out to be a great school for my daughter. Their approach to encourage free thinking and the respect they give their students has really allowed my daughter to blossom academically and socially. This is the first school in many years where she had felt totally at home and ease.

We are very enthusiastic about the education and support our son is recieving at WIS. The spirit of the school is one of optomisim about our child's ability to succeed in school and in life. The teachers suport staff and headmaster personally fo the extra mile to encourage the individual child to develop their potential. This happens through the flexibility in the program and in course offerings. A student works at what ever level of competece they have reached in a subject and the schol i able to proide advanced placement work when is apporpriate. From the headmaster down there is an attitude of respect for the student, paired with expectaitions that the sutdent will achiee at the level of his or her capacity.

We have been extremely pleased with W.I.S.

Our son enjoys the feeling of community that is enhaced by the size of the student body and supported by the atmosphere of mutual respect which is cultivated and well maintained by the faculty and staff.

Our son has been extraordinarily well supported in his adjustment to high school and in his development as a student. All members of the teaching faculty have taken genuine and detailed interest in our son's development. They have always been able to treat him as an individual. They have been diligient through the hard times helping him build skills and recognize and realize his potential. As he has developed, they have challenged his strengths resulting in confidence in his abilities

We have been very impressed by - and grateful for - the commitment to working with us and with our shown by each of his teachers. Not only has each teacher been availbled for consultation, but all have been excellent in following though on decisions made and in supporting our sons' development in this way.

The headmaster, Mr. John Edwards, has done an extraordinary job coordinating this process. He knows his faculty and he knows his students. He has been available, informed, concerned and effective. He approaches difficulties with a realistic and straight forward amnner that resutls in real progrress and development of relationship between his techers and their students. Missing nothing, he has used a clear and light touch to support out son's development.

Woodsde has allowed my student to grow and mature willingly at his own pace. Woodside also helps parents understand their teen in positive ways.