The school opened in 1884 as the Commercial School , on Powell Street between Clay and Sacramento . It subsequently moved to Bush and Stockton Streets . Academic subjects were added to the curriculum in 1890 and art and shop in 1895 , when it was renamed San Francisco Polytechnic High School . The building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake , and replaced in 1911 by a classical revival building on Frederick Street , which opened in 1915 ; a " manual and shop training " building facing Carl Street opened in 1912 . Later additions included a boys ' and a girls ' gymnasium in art deco style , at opposite ends of the school . During this period the school had 2,000 students , more than any other in the city
1906 earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
San Francisco Polytechnic High School