Photo: pedrik · CC BY 2.0Berkeley’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts
On the state math tests, 57% of Berkeley’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Berkeley, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Berkeley’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 548 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Berkeley’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 86% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,977 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary's College High School (private), Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (private), Black Pine Circle School (private), BPC Upper School (private), School of the Madeleine (private), Berkeley Rose Waldorf School (private), Berkwood Hedge School (private), American Intl Montessori School (private), Maybeck High School (private), The Berkeley School (private), Bayhill High School (private), Walden Center & School (private), The Crowden School (private), Cedar Creek Montessori School (private), Fusion Academy Berkeley (private), Mentoring Academy (private) and Via Center (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Berkeley’s grade
A: better than 86% of California school districts, #107 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Berkeley, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Berkeley · depends on your address
Martin Luther King Middle
Grades 6–8 · 851 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Willard Middle
Grades 6–8 · 596 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Grades 6–8 · 462 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Berkeley · depends on your address
Martin Luther King Middle
Grades 6–8 · 851 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Willard Middle
Grades 6–8 · 596 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Grades 6–8 · 462 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Berkeley · depends on your address
Martin Luther King Middle
Grades 6–8 · 851 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Willard Middle
Grades 6–8 · 596 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Grades 6–8 · 462 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Berkeley
Berkeley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,218 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Berkeley
Berkeley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,218 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Berkeley
Berkeley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,218 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Berkeley
Berkeley High
Grades 9–12 · 3,218 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Berkeley’s public schools are run by Berkeley Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Berkeley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Berkeley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | A | Berkeley Unified |
| Oakland | C | Oakland Unified |
| Albany | A | Albany City Unified |
| Emeryville | C− | Emery Unified |
| San Francisco | B+ | San Francisco Unified |
Every school in Berkeley
33 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Berkeley Special Education Preschool and Berkeley Independent Study K-8).
Questions about Berkeley’s schools
Are Berkeley’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Berkeley children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #107 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Berkeley in?
Berkeley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,116 students in 17 schools (2024–25).
Where do Berkeley kids go to high school?
Berkeley High, with 3,218 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Berkeley’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Berkeley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Berkeley spend per student?
$24,977 in Berkeley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Berkeley?
Yes: St. Mary's College High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 627 students), Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 398 students), Black Pine Circle School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 319 students), BPC Upper School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 319 students), School of the Madeleine (Catholic, grades K–8, 255 students), Berkeley Rose Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 146 students), Berkwood Hedge School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 128 students), American Intl Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 117 students), Maybeck High School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 114 students), The Berkeley School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 113 students), Bayhill High School (special education, grades 9–12, 69 students), Walden Center & School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 68 students), The Crowden School (nonsectarian, grades 3–8, 53 students), Cedar Creek Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 40 students), Fusion Academy Berkeley (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 38 students), Mentoring Academy (nonsectarian, grades 8–12, 9 students) and Via Center (special education, grades , 6 students).
Parents talk
What Berkeley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Berkeley → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.