Academy of Thought and Industry, San Francisco offers a supportive, personalized approach to students, high expectations and deep meaningful learning, and the flexibility to help students explore and hone their unique passions and interests.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Montessori School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 37 students
- Yearly Tuition: $34,000
- Average class size: 8 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
Student Body
Total Students
37 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
24%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
8 students
Number of AP Courses
3 courses
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$34,000
% on Financial Aid
42%
Admissions Director
Olga Sylvia
School Notes
- ATI nurtures the healthy intellectual and personal development of young people into responsible, capable and ethical adults. Our program includes the best of an academic college-preparatory curriculum, individualized socio-emotional support and a range of creative electives and independent projects to enable students to be passion-driven learners. We offer one on one coaching to each student to help them build greater confidence and self-knowledge, identify and pursue their passions and goals, and receive support to navigate the challenges of adolescence and emerging adulthood.
- Our core classes are:
- (1) Life Design, inspired by Stanford'sDesigning Your Lifecourse; Y Combinator founder Paul Graham's exhortation to live in the future; Cal Newport's work on Leading a Remarkable Life and Jon Kabat-Zinn's work on stressed teens.
- (2). Socratic Humanities develops a student's ability to analyze complex texts and become a capable writer of analytic essays while exploring the world of ideas via classroom Socratic dialogues, inspired by ATI founder Michael Strong's book,The Habit of Thought.
- (3) Mathematical problem-solving combines a personalized, self-paced math program with the development of broad mathematical problem-solving abilities inspired by Polya'sHow to Solve It.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Academy Of Thought And Industry cost?
Academy Of Thought And Industry's tuition is approximately $34,000 for private students.
When is the application deadline for Academy Of Thought And Industry?
The application deadline for Academy Of Thought And Industry is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Academy Of Thought And Industry located?
Academy Of Thought And Industry is located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. There are 7 other private schools located in Pacific Heights.
School Reviews
5 4/28/2020
In my search to find the right school for our daughter over the years, I stumbled across ATI after exhausting all my resources. Our daughter is a highly creative, social teen who wasn't getting the support she needed to thrive at her previous high school. After our meeting with the founder we were convinced we found the school that would work with our daughter's needs and goals. With the teachers customized and personalized support it has built our daughter's confidence and helped her to be more proactive in her learning. Class sizes are small so the student feels heard and seen. The guide and student connections are strong as they leave an open door for communication. ATI's teachers are creative and diverse in their teaching methods, with project-based learning and Socratic seminar's which leads to more advanced academic work and discussions. They go on amazing field trips that dive deep historical events which also tie into current issues. The academics are rigorous and stimulating, but they also work with each student individually for end goals. Parents are given tools to stay well-informed in their child's performance as well as social and emotional. Our daughter has not had the easiest highschool experience and after finding ATI we have seen her drive not only to learn, but because of the relationships she has made at this wonderful school both with her guides and friendships. ATI is changing the way kids learn and how they feel about themselves while learning. They never give up on you and find ways to work with each child to bring them to their best self; confident and independent.
5 8/12/2019
Our daughter is relatively new to ATI but quickly settled in due to ATI`s thoughtful and principled thinking behind their curriculum and their classroom culture. ATI has allowed our daughter more breathing room to pursue what truly interests her and to work at her own pace. She is now applying responsible stewardship over her education rather than experiencing " the one sizes fits all" education that is so common in most schools. She is more focused and excited to get to school and do her best work.
5 8/12/2019
ATI is a precious jewel in the San Francisco independent high school scene. My son is getting in-depth academics, the choice he craves in how to spend his intellectual time, college prep testing/training, an intimate community of peers that values kids who walk off the beaten track, incredible mentoring from committed teachers, and the time to pursue his non-school interests. He has just the right amount of homework, allowing him to connect to activities in the whole city and to develop not just as a student but as a well-rounded citizen. The school expects a kind of independence from students that are, in our experience, both age-appropriate and liberating.
5 8/12/2019
5 Stars for The Academy of Thought and IndustryThe Academy of Thought and Industry is like a Trade School for CEO`s. Really it is much more than that because the school inspires students with a clear trajectory toward how to create a magnificent life at the intersection of their passions and skills. I found ATI during a deep search for the right environment for my two very different gifted children who bring unique talents to the world, that were lost in public school's common core.The Academy of Thought and Industry personalizes the programs and approach for each individual student and provides a personal coach who is in close contact with the students and parents for academic guidance and socio-emotional support through a vitally developmental time in children`s lives to ensure success all along the continuum of learning-not just at semester end. The school is filled with brilliant, open-minded people with no boundaries of learning opportunities for the students.Coaching students with a big-picture view of the world and encouraging them to contribute to it is a gift to our future. The students are grounded in math, science, Socratic social studies and the arts. They customize students` educations to reach their individual goals. If a student desires an invitation to an Ivy League school, their education is chiseled in that direction.We visited the Academy of Thought and Industry in Austin, Texas before enrolling in the San Francisco, California location. The students were well-adjusted, self-motivated, proud of their diverse and impressive accomplishments and confident they were working toward their personal desires to contribute to society in a positive way. Architects, Engineers, Photographers, Investment Brokers, Choreographers, Mathematicians, You-Tubers, Producers, Designers, Inventors, Artists, were all sharing their skills and ideas with their friends at school, sharing partnerships and collaborations capitalizing on each other`s skill sets
5 8/12/2019
When we were looking for a high school for our daughter in the fall of 2018, ATI stood out for us in the sea of schools with its approach to education that is tailored around individual interests. We appreciated ATI's philosophy of empowering the individual by providing the tools to be curious and creative rather than memorizing and regurgitating information. Our daughter has been an ATI student since fall 2018, and she has absolutely flourished into a confident and smart young woman in this short amount of time. She is eager to go to school every day and she is excited and passionate about her projects. ATI 's teaching model is definitely progressive and with the changing times, we can only hope that more schools can follow suit one day.
5 8/12/2019
ATI has been a godsend for our family. Our son needed a break from the academic pressures of boarding school but still wanted a rigorous learning experience. The choose-your-own-adventure method of teaching, learning, and achieving at ATI provided a pressure-free environment from which our son could go deep in math and chemistry, explore Socratic method, and what his appetite for SATs and AP testing. The 10:00-4:00, Monday-Thursday schedule saved us many a household battle, as it builds in time for teenage sleep and non-academic interests. The staff at ATI are empathic, intellectually engaging, and flexible as all get out. We're not sure how we would've made it through this year without the support of ATI.
5 8/12/2019
Thanks to the Socratic Method which is practiced throughout ATI every day, our 13-year-old daughter is learning to think critically, form opinions and participate in intellectual discussions. Her tutors are supportive, involved and engaged and care deeply about our daughter`s welfare. She can choose electives that fully engage her, such as Film, Design, Art, and Chemistry and is both encouraged and given time to pursue personal interests that are meaningful to her. She can also work at her own pace and receives one-on-one tutoring to help her on her journey of self-discovery. The collaborative nature of the school encourages the students to work in teams, as well as on their own. The school has wonderful facilities in a beautiful and peaceful environment. We have seen an enormous improvement in our daughter`s self-confidence, independence and maturity since she started at ATI.
5 8/12/2019
ATI offers a necessary and wonderful alternative to the "big box" classic British style of education. Their addition of a long view, Life Design, helps students see beyond the classroom and focus on how their proactive approach to learning will impact them in the real world. There are high levels of empathy and flexibility in the school's overall style that worked perfectly for our child. ATI's "tutorial approach" to teaching and mastery places the onus on each student who then must decide for him/herself how best to advance which fosters independence in the child's decision-making process. I would recommend ATI to any parent who seeks a refreshing alternative to standard educational practices.
Endorse Academy Of Thought And Industry. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Expelled for Smoking Pot: What Parents Need to Know
We explore the consequences of marijuana use in private schools, discussing expulsion policies, legal implications, and impacts on college admissions. This Q&A format article provides insights for parents navigating disciplinary actions and offers advice on prevention and support for students.
U.S. Private Schools: A Guide for International Students
Dive into the nitty-gritty of attending U.S. private schools as an international student. From tackling the admissions maze to conquering the TOEFL, this guide's got you covered. We'll walk you through visa hurdles, financial realities, and even virtual campus tours. Buckle up for an insider's look at making your American education dreams a reality!
Early Childhood Education: A Guide for Parents of 1 and 2 Year Olds
In this article we explore three popular approaches to early childhood education: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. It provides parents of toddlers with essential information about each method, helping them make informed decisions about their child's early education.