Christian schools reshape education landscape in deep blue Bay Area

In the United States, particularly in San Francisco, enrollment in public schools has been declining steadily for several years. A recent report highlights a countertrend in which classical Christian schools are gaining popularity in this deep blue city. Over the past five years, three new religious educational institutions offering a classical liberal arts education have emerged in the Bay Area, attracting families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling. Notably, Donum Dei Classical Academy, which opened its doors in 2019, has seen its student count rise significantly, increasing from its foundational enrollment as its donation revenue soared from around $45,000 to more than $770,000 in recent years. This indicates strong interest and support for alternative educational models that emphasize traditional values and Christian teachings. Alongside Donum Dei, other institutions such as Nativity High School and Stella Maris are also witnessing enrollment growth. Nativity, which opened in the fall of 2024, started with just 20 students. Stella Maris, a former Catholic school that revamped its curriculum and approach in 2021, has similarly seen its numbers boost to 86 enrolled students. Parents, educators, and administrators at these schools report a clear demand for educational environments that align with conservative values, especially in a political climate perceived as increasingly liberal. The shift towards classical Christian schooling reflects a broader trend seen in the United States. The Association of Classical Christian Schools reports that the number of enrolled institutions has risen to 502 as of 2023. Increased enrollment at these types of schools is correlated with declining public school enrollments, particularly in larger cities where many families are frustrated by public school policies and curricula. Between 2013 and 2022, national public school enrollment dropped from 49.9 million to 48.8 million, marking one of the largest declines in recent history. Educators at these classical schools mention that many parents seek educational alternatives to what they perceive as overly progressive public education that does not reflect their family values. Statements from parents suggest that they favor environments that align more closely with traditional educational ideologies. As a result, classical education is becoming a popular choice, as these schools provide a niche that many parents in urban areas find increasingly attractive after years of dissatisfaction with public educational frameworks.