School Profile
Drew is a co-educational college preparatory school that serves grades 9 through 12. Our 280 students follow a rigorous academic curriculum that exceeds UC requirements while putting a unique focus on both interdisciplinary and experiential learning. The school is located at Broderick and California, in an award-winning facility custom-built for the school in 2001 and with a recently completed performing arts wing. Drew is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Drew holds memberships in the California and National Associations of Independent Schools, WACAC, NACAC, and SSATB.
Academics
Drew’s solid college preparatory curriculum is designed to exceed the entrance requirements for the University of California. It is strengthened by a variety of electives, honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses are offered in Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Mandarin and English. Honors courses are offered in Science, World Languages, American Literature and U.S. History. Drew’s student to full-time faculty ratio is 8 to 1, and 73% of Drew teaching faculty hold a graduate degree, and the average years of teaching experience for full-time faculty is 14 years. Additionally, 100% of the faculty participate in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities and 100% serve as student advisors. Explore our curriculum further under the Academics menu.
Student Body
Our students come from a diverse range of ethnic, socio-economic, cultural and religious backgrounds. Approximately 38% of the student population are students of color. Approximately 40% of current families received some form of financial assistance ranging from 5% to 95% of full annual tuition. 98% of Drew graduates attend 4 year colleges and universities upon graduation.
Co-Curricular & Experiential Learning
Global Awareness, Inquiry, and Action (GAIA)
Drew’s Global Affairs Initiative (GAIA) is a program created to help Drew students recognize their place as citizens of a larger global community. Throughout the school year, special events and speakers will focus on current issues such as global warming, nuclear proliferation, food, and this year, World Religions. In the summer months, students have the option to take part in an evolving program in Africa, serving in and becoming part of a small community.
Drew Education for Active Lifelong Learning (DEALL)
The purpose of DEALL (Drew Education for Active Lifetime Learning) is to expose students to experiences that are educational, broadening and enjoyable. The “DEALL Days” offerings include a variety of experiences ranging from adventure, outdoor activities, trips, intellectual pursuits, community service, career exploration, cooking, art programs and more. 2012 DEALL days included working with Habitat for Humanity in Texas and the East Bay, sailing on the San Francisco Bay, observing leatherback turtles in Costa Rica, hiking in Spain, and learning how to ride a motorcycle! Read more.Friday Electives
Friday electives occur every week and include fine and performing arts, sports and fitness, social/political activities, and academic enrichment. Drew students are required to take two electives every semester. Electives include: Acting/Improvisation, Adventure Society, Book Club, Chorus, Collage & Linocut Printmaking, Computer Art, Cooking, Dodgeball, Film Club, Filmmaking, Humanitarian Action Committee, Ice Skating, Indoor Soccer, Knitting, Newspaper, Photography, Salsa Dancing, Shiatsu/Meditation, Silk Screen Printmaking, Tutoring, and Yoga. Read moreThe Senior Project
Senior Project is a three-week program in which our seniors conclude their high school years with individual projects, supported by a faculty member and an outside mentor. The Senior Project allows each student a chance to learn with passion in the real world. Just prior to graduation, the entire school celebrates the seniors and their experiences during each student’s final presentation of his or her independent work. For more information click here: Read moreCommunity Service
Community Service is an integral component of the educational and social experience of each Drew student. Drew students are involved in such worthwhile projects as food and clothing drives, tutoring, fundraising and volunteering in the Bay Area. Getting our students to volunteer in their own community begins to create a life-long passion for serving people in need. And sending our students around the city, wearing their DREW Community Service t-shirts, shows the various San Francisco nonprofit organizations for whom we work that Drew students care deeply about their community. Read moreDrew's Summer Program
Offers full-credit courses in a broad range of disciplines in one four-week session. Courses accredited by the University of California include: Algebra II, Precalculus, Math Remediation, Chemistry, English Seminar, Spanish II Immersion. Art courses include Screen-printing and Music Theory. A travel program is offered to those interested in experiencing life and culture abroad. The past eight years small groups of students and faculty have traveled to Senegal, and in the summer of 2012 students and faculty traveled to Cuba and the Galapagos as well. Read moreAthletics
The Athletics Program offers the opportunity to participate in competitive, interscholastic athletics, physical education classes and less formal intramural and instructional programs. Wherever possible, a "no cut" policy is employed for JV athletics, and all students who are willing to make a serious commitment to the team are encouraged to get involved, regardless of their age or skill level. Read more
Interscholastic Sports
Drew is a member of the Bay Counties League-Central, which includes many of the other independent schools in the Bay Area. Drew fields interscholastic teams each season.Fall Season: Boys' Varsity and JV Soccer, Gilrs' Golf; Girls' Varsity and JV Volleyball, Girls' JV Tennis,
and Co-Ed Cross Country
Winter Season: Girls' Varsity and JV Basketball, Boys' Varsity and JV Basketball.
Spring Season: Boys' Varsity Lacrosse, Boys' Tennis and Golf, and Girls' Varsity Soccer; Co-Ed Badminton, Swimming
Arts
Music
The general purpose of the music program is to inspire thinking musicians who know about the music they play, who listen and hear musical form and structure, and who analyze and reflect on the music they create/hear. Some of the music courses offered include Jazz Ensemble, Music and Culture, History of American Music, Introduction to Recording Studio and Composing with Digital Media. Student Music Concerts are held in the Fall and Spring of every year. In the past, student ensembles have won 4th place at Reno Jazz, as well as recognition for individual achievement in musicianship and composition. Read morePerforming Arts
Whether you prefer back stage or center stage Drew offers a wide range of theatrical experiences. Students can take drama, improv, or dance class and/or participate in our professional level program which offers opportunities in acting, directing, stage managing, as well as in all the technical areas of theater. With our new theater and sate of the art control booth and accessible tension grid, students can engage in high end level theater production. Read moreStudent Resources
The Drew Library is a welcoming and dynamic center for research, study, and recreational reading. It is open before, during, and after school until 4:30pm, and houses the school’s College Resources collection. A professional Librarian, Marta Fuchs, MLS, is enthusiastically available to help students and teachers with research projects and other information needs. The Drew Library promotes the teaching of information literacy skills and encourages lifelong learning based on curiosity and excitement.
Advising
Drew’s theme-based advising program combines academic advising and “citizenship” advising – life guidance on topics that might not get covered either in the classroom or at the dinner table. An umbrella theme exists for each grade level – "Adapting" for freshmen, "Growth" for sophomores, "Balance" for juniors and "Independence" for seniors. Read more
Learning Support Services
Developing solid academic and time-management skills, and challenging each student to reach his or her personal intellectual potential are central to Drew’s mission. The Herbst Learning Resource Center, home of the Learning Support Program, serves a broad range of functions for the entire Drew community. Tutorial sessions, the most visible component of LSP, occur either once or twice a week during students' free periods. Sessions are designed to meet each student's individual needs as determined by psycho-educational evaluations, input from parents and teachers, and other relevant information. Generally, meetings focus on enhancing specific subject area knowledge, effective application of learning and study strategies, integrating technologies, improving in-class performance and fostering self-advocacy skills. Read more
Extracurricular Clubs and Student Groups
Drew has numerous clubs and student groups, some of which are long-term fixtures at the school and others which change from year to year depending on student interest. Existing clubs include: Student Council, Adventure Club, Drew CommUNITY, Debate Club, FlashMob, Freshmen Mentor Program, Gay-Straight Alliance, International Club, Anime, Salsa Dancing, Dragon Spirit, Magic Club, Running Club, Spanish Club. Read more