Our History

Dear visiting family,

A parent’s hope, a school’s beginning

If you are looking for Christian education for your child in San Francisco, you share the hope that led Jack McBirney to start SFC. After returning from missionary service in Newfoundland, Canada, he found few options for his own children and set out to start a school.

In September 1971, McBirney and the founding board prayed for 90 students on opening day. Ninety students enrolled.

Generations learning in San Francisco

From its first classrooms on Dorland Street, SFC has remained rooted in the city. The Whittier Street school building opened in 1976, and SFC became a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in 1984. Some of today’s teachers and leaders first knew SFC as students themselves.

That history is part of the community your child can join today. Come see SFC and meet the people carrying the work forward.

Come and see for yourself.

The SFC Faculty & Staff

An elevated mid-1980s view of school buildings, a lawn and a parking lot with a yellow school bus below wooded hills

The school grounds in the mid-1980s.

Milestones

1971

Founded

Opens K–10 in the educational building at First Covenant Church on Dorland Street.

1972

Junior and senior high move to Calvary Baptist Church

11th and 12th grades added.

1973

First graduating class

1976

New school building constructed on Whittier Street

Used first by the junior and senior high.

1982

Junior and senior high move to the Serramonte Del Rey campus

The elementary school moves into the Whittier Street building.

1984

SFC incorporated into the ministry of Calvary Baptist Church

1989

The campus configuration we know today

Junior and senior high return to the Calvary Baptist Church facilities, in the fall.

1996

International program formalized

Approved to issue I-20 forms for international students.

2026

55 years of SFC

Celebrated with the 55th Anniversary Bash on May 1, 2026.

Teachers and staff who care about my child. I appreciate the music program, education, and extracurriculars with Christian worldview.

SFC Parent · Fall 2025 Family Survey