Our Mission
To empower student learning by teaching awareness, acceptance and non-violence, celebrating our diversity, achieving academic excellence, and fostering strong family-school-community connections. At Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy (HMCRA), you will be encouraged to become an active participant in your child’s educational journey.
HMCRA is a small public school in the Castro that is named after the neighborhood’s most famous persona, Harvey Milk. We are committed to developing literacy skills in an enriched environment, science and math skills with an emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum and a social studies program that highlights global awareness and student activism. Our school library, visual and performing arts, field trips, outdoor education, computers, and music enhance our strong academic program. Our before- and after-school programs have the capacity to serve all our students, and financial aid is available to cover program fees.
We have an open door policy to parents, and we believe all staff and parents should be involved in the decision-making process within the school. We focus on helping children develop self-control and have a personal commitment to values with programs such as First PASS and Conflict Managers. We are proud of our ongoing relationships with SF School Volunteers and its Adopt-A-School program. We have several very active community partners.
Our overall objective is to guide the development of a well-rounded human being who has the ability, skills and attitude to become a contributing asset to self, family, community, and society.
Our History
On June 25, 1996, San Francisco Unified School District’s Board of Education voted to rename Douglass School to Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. Superintendent Waldemar Rojas and Principal Sandra Leigh dedicated the school to Harvey Milk.
The Harvey Milk Story
Read more about Harvey Milk:
The Harvey Milk Story, by Kari Krakow, a picture-book biography of Harvey Milk.
Teachers
Vashti Ferguson, Kindergarten – Rm. 111
Sherlisa Webb , 1st Grade – Rm. 112
Leanne Francis, 1st Grade – Rm. 113
Elise Reynolds McCarty, 2nd Grade – Rm. 207
Jude Orlando, 2nd Grade – Rm. 209
Meredith Witt, 3rd Grade – Rm. 212
Janice Mayo, 3rd Grade – Rm. 213
Kim Burton-Laurance, 4th/5th Grades – Rm. 201
Anaia Gilliam, 4th/5th Grades – Rm. 202
Kay Kirman, 4th/5th Grades – Rm. 205
Administrative & Support Staff
- Charles Glover, Principal – Rm. 102
- Antonae Robertson, Secretary – Rm. 106
- Glenn Castro, Student Advisor – Rm. 106
- Sarah Kern, Librarian/Tech Specialist – Library
- Dexter (DJ) Scott, YMCA Site Coordinator
- Tiffany Andrade, YMCA Family Events Coordinator
- Michelle Wong, School Psychologist – Rm. 11
- Summer Santarosa, Social Worker – Rm. 105
- Tanya Weissman, Reading Intervention Specialist
- Jennifer Comeans, Resource Specialist (Special Education) – Rm. 211
- Derek Dulin, PE Teacher
- Karina Vela, Dance Teacher
- Michael Ryther, Drama Teacher
- Peter Govorchin, Instrumental Music Teacher
- Hunry Liang, Custodian
- Suzette Miranda, Custodian
- Wena Tan, Student Nutrition Services
- Sandra Navarro, Paraprofessional
- Heather Brown, Paraprofessional
- Chie Kono Ortiz, Noon Monitor & Support Staff
- Joyce Lin-Conrad, The Breakfast Project (Community Partner)