Testimonials
Voices From Our Community
At Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, our story is best told by the people who live it every day. Students, families, and teachers share how our school fosters joy, belonging, and a commitment to justice. Their voices reflect the heart of who we are.
Former Students, Lifelong Lessons
—Marley, former HMCRA student
“HMCRA has built a tremendous community of people who are still very influential in my life today.”
—Catherine, former HMCRA student
—Naomi and Hugo, former HMCRA students
“Harvey Milk was a huge highlight of my life when I was in elementary school. Loving community. Great staff. Great place.”
—Benjamin, former HMCRA student
—Shavonne, former HMCRA student
“[Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy] is special because it offered me disability support, with students and staff having my back the whole way through. Also knowing my two best friends and being the best advocate for myself and for others.”
—Mateo, former HMCRA student
A Place for All Types of Students to Thrive
“Being part of the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy community profoundly enriched and supported our family. Our kids learned how to read there, how to do math and how to be a good student. And they learned so much more that’s equally important. Like how to stand up for what they believe in, and for their rights and the rights of others.
We could go on and on about how the HMCRA community supported us as working parents—the before and after school childcare programs, the childcare at school events, and most, importantly, the knowledge that teachers and administrators really knew and cared about our kids.
Some students need a small school environment to receive the equitable education the law entitles them to. In HMCRA, SFUSD has a gem of a small school that is welcoming and inclusive.”
—Erica, parent of HMCRA graduates
“To be a school with a civil rights focus means that all of us, educators and students, practice recognizing inequalities and challenging biases with the goal of contributing to a society which is inclusive of diverse communities. We educate both the brain and the heart.”
— Ms. Francis, 1st grade teacher
Teaching Social Responsibility
“I can’t imagine a school that better exemplifies the district’s core values than Harvey Milk. Our daughter was there for K-5, and in those six years she not only learned the importance of standing up for others, she developed the strength to do it. One of our proudest moments was when we learned in a parent-teacher conference that the little girl we thought of as shy would routinely, and confidently, stick up for others in need.
Along with the reading, writing, math and science, she had learned a sense of social responsibility. This kind of education is no accident. It’s the intentional work of teachers, staff, and a school community all pulling together to nurture the kind of values we want to see in the world. Harvey Milk was a special place for us, and so many other families, because it is an amazing example of what a public school can do.”
—Quentin, parent of an HMCRA graduate
“I never knew it was possible to have such a safe and joyful public school experience. We were looking for a small school where our queer family (and our trans child) would be represented and seen. We haven’t had to fight to be accepted or protected in any way. Our child has never experienced anything but full appreciation and support.”
—Maggie, parent of a current HMCRA student
Feeling Inspired?
We invite you to come tour our school!