Hamlin School

Sarah Dix Hamlin.

In April 1896 Sarah Dix Hamlin purchased the Van Ness Seminary School located at 1849 Jackson Street, San Francisco.[2] In 1898, the school was renamed Miss Hamlin's School for Girls. In 1907, Hamlin moved to a mansion located at 2230 Pacific Avenue in San Francisco.[3]

On August 25, 1923, the Hamlin school founder, Sarah Dix Hamlin died after a short illness.[4] Her sister, Catherine "Kate" Hamlin operated the Hamlin School after Sarah's death. In 1927, Corenelia M. Stanwood became the new principal of the school.[5]

In 1928, Hamlin moved to its present location, a three-story Italian Baroque Revival mansion at 2120 Broadway in San Francisco. The mansion was built in 1901 by James Leary Flood.[1] In 1946, Edith A. Mereen supervised the school until 1958. In June 1857, the school was established as a nonprofit corporation and a board of directors was formed.

In 1961, a new classroom building was constructed on Vallejo Street that was named McKinne Hall with the main building on 2120 Broadway as Stanwood Hall. In 1971, Hamlin hosted boarders and became coeducational in grades 9-12 until the high school closed in 1975. In 2013, Hamlin celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Hamlin School.[5]

Athletics

Hamlin fields varsity teams in basketball, volleyball, cross country, running, soccer, track and field, among others. The rock climbing program is for 4-8 students.

Arts

Hamlin offers courses in both the fine and performing arts including levels of visual art, and digital art. As well as a theater program with a musical performed by the graduating 8th grade class every year.

Chorus

Hamlin offers a large and joyful chorus program. Hamlin has both a Gold chorus and red chorus with the gold chorus being composed of 6th-8th graders and the red chorus being made up of 4th-5th graders.

The Lower School offers Kindergarten through Grade 4. Curriculum includes language arts, social studies, science and engineering, mathematics, art, health and wellness, music, physical education and Spanish language.[6]

The Middle School is from Grade 5 through 8. Teacher/student ratio is 1:7. The curriculum expands courses of the Lower School with elective courses offered in drama, dance, yearbook, computer science and music. Student social events include culture club, community service, literary magazine and student government.[7]

Hamlin's mission statement:

The Hamlin School educates girls to meet the challenges of their time and inspires them to become extraordinary thinkers and innovators, courageous leaders, and individuals of integrity.[8]

• Janet Louise Choynski Fleishhacker ('28), married to Mortimer Fleishhacker[1]
• Marilyn Duke (attended, 1930s), American singer
• Katherine Feinstein ('75), attorney and judge; daughter of Dianne Feinstein[9]
• Katharine Bossart ('85), entrepreneur, scientist[10]
• Jennifer Dulski ('85), president and COO of Change.org[11]
• Zoe Grimaldi ('08), organizer for Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential race[10]
• Ivy Getty ('09), heiress, daughter of John Gilbert Getty[10]

• List of high schools in California

• The Hamlin School official website