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Frequently Asked Questions

Fast Facts

General Questions

Does Lakeshore have foreign language program?
Lakeshore does not have foreign language program during regular school hours; but we do offer (for-pay) daily before school Spanish program and after school Mandarin program. See Before and After School Programs for more information.

Does Lakeshore have a library?
Yes we do, with an onsite librarian four days per week. Our students visit the school library once a week. Check out our library website.

What other supporting staff does Lakeshore have?
We have social worker, student counselor, psychologist, speech specialist, Academic Response to Intervention Facilitator (ARTIF), and three Resource Specialist Program (RSP) support teachers. For a complete list of our staff please see our staff page.

What makes Lakeshore special?

  • Lakeshore Elementary is an ethnically and economically diverse urban school located across the street from beautiful Lake Merced.
  • Lakeshore takes pride in being one of SFUSD’s most ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse parent/student bodies.
  • Lakeshore hosts several events that celebrate our diverse community, and our curriculum is enriched with multicultural components throughout.
  • Lakeshore Elementary provides a wide variety of enrichment activities and a nurturing, joyful community where teachers and parents work together to create a meaningful education and enhance academic achievements.
  • Our proximity to Lake Merced provides a unique opportunity to study local entomology and ornithology. The surrounding area is also well-suited for Native American, Californian social studies, and urban agriculture.
  • Our students have a natural playground in which they can explore, write poetry, paint, and draw, as well as a wide variety of gardens that provide food, science curriculum opportunities, and a beautiful environment for the school.

What is the campus like?

  • Lakeshore boasts eight beautiful gardens.
  • We have three child-friendly playgrounds with padded play structure areas, including smaller playgrounds separated on tiered yards, that allow smaller children to enjoy recess separated from older children.
  • Lakeshore has a sizable Community Room, complete with a stage, piano, and sound system.
  • Students create art in our kiln-equipped Studio Art room.
  • We have a dedicated classroom for Science in the Garden classes.
  • Children eat lunches outdoors with their respective classes, seated at picnic tables all over campus.
  • Lakeshore has gone through extensive renovations to make the entire campus ADA compliant including all classrooms, offices, the library and our beautiful gardens. All areas are accessible via ramps and a full access elevator.
  • Learn more about our library including which books are in the catalog and resources available to parents and students.

Is there parking?
There is street parking available in the neighborhood. Leave 10-15 minutes extra in the morning as neighborhood streets get congested. If you need to be at school for more than a few hours, check posted signs since many streets have 2-hour parking restrictions. There are often spots on Gellert and Eucalyptus west of Middlefield without 2-hour restrictions. If you are not able to park, there is a drop-off zone on Eucalyptus at Middlefield where upper-grade students escort children from your car to the yard between 9:15 and 9:30. The drop-off zone may be best for students 1-5 who are more familiar with school.

Please do not park right in the white zone right front of the school at the beginning and end of they day as that area is reserved for buses. During the school day, those spots become available to park in; check posted signs for hours.

What is the drop-off zone?
Not everybody who is driving can park and walk their child in to school. Or, you might be running late one day. For those cases, the drop-off zone lets you drive right up to school and let your child out. Volunteer students under the direction of Student Advisor Classy Martin will see your child safely to the correct yard for morning intake.

How does the drop-off zone work?
The drop-off zone is located at the corner of the school, on Eucalyptus Dr. at Middlefield Dr. You may drop off your student between approximately 9:15 and 9:30am. Pull in to the area on the right marked by yellow traffic cones. As cars clear in front of you, pull as far forward as possible. When you stop, have your child undo the buckle and gather any belongings. A student volunteer will open the curb-side door and help your child based on his or her comfort level – either all the way to the yard, or just to the gate.

It’s best if your child can exit the car curb-side. If your child’s car seat is on the driver’s side and your child cannot climb over obstacles to get to the curb-side door (such as a sibling’s car seat), please wave visibly to the student volunteer to help open the driver’s side door. Do not get out of the car, as this impedes the flow of the drop-off zone.

If you are in a rush and wish to use the drop-off zone, please note that Middlefield Dr. can be congested right before school. It may be easier to enter the drop-off zone if you approach from Eucalyptus Dr. heading east, or Middlefield Dr. heading south toward that intersection.

How can my child volunteer for the drop-off zone?
Fourth- and fifth-grade students are eligible and will receive a flyer at the start of the year with information on volunteering.