SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International School of San Francisco, an independent school with 64 years of history located in the heart of Hayes Valley, marked the completion of a transformative campus renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 9. The occasion drew the city's supervisor, past and current trustees, donors, alum families, faculty, staff, students, and the French general consul – a distinguished gathering befitting a project of genuine civic and educational significance.

The building itself is a piece of San Francisco history. Spanning an entire city block, covering approximately 177,000 square feet, and originally constructed by Caltrans in 1948, it is a structure of remarkable scale and heritage. The renovation honored that legacy while boldly reimagining it for the future. Every decision throughout the project was made with the needs of students,  educators, and the entire community  in mind.

More than three hundred windows were replaced, filling the building with natural light and dramatically improving energy efficiency. A modernized HVAC system, refreshed lower and middle school classrooms, reconsidered faculty and staff workspaces, a new commercial kitchen, and a newly designed playground together reflect an organization investing wholeheartedly in the community it serves.

Among the project's most significant achievements is the construction of a dedicated high school, complete with its own entrance – a milestone in the school's history. For the first time, high school students arrive through a threshold of their own, one that affirms their identity and marks their place within the wider community. New state-of-the-art science and design technology labs create spaces that foster inquiry, experimentation, and discovery, shaping the next generation of thinkers and global citizens.

The commercial kitchen anchors one of the renovation's most meaningful additions: the school's first-ever food program. Preschool, lower, and middle school students now receive nutritious snacks and lunch prepared on-site, while the new high school bistro offers grab-and-go options tailored to the rhythms of older students. The program treats nourishment as part of learning, not apart from it.

Head of School Eric Thuau reflected on the remarkable outcome. "The results have exceeded our expectations in every way," he said. "What strikes me most is how the building now reflects the spirit of the people inside it. The project is a testament to the vision, patience, and generosity of everyone who believed in it."

Students returned to the renewed campus on September 2, beginning the year in spaces designed to inspire learning from day one. Long a cornerstone of the neighborhood, the school stands ready to meet the potential of every student who walks through its doors.

About The International School of San Francisco
Founded 64 years ago, The International School of San Francisco is the largest secular independent school in San Francisco, located in the vibrant Hayes Valley neighborhood. It offers a French bilingual program for learners in PK2 through Grade 8. In high school, students pursue either the prestigious International Baccalaureate or the French Baccalaureate. For more information, visit internationalsf.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-landmark-transformation-the-international-school-of-san-francisco-celebrates-its-campus-renovation-302875804.html

SOURCE The International School of San Francisco