Photo: Mercurywoodrose · CC BY-SA 3.0Hayward’s public schools score below 60% of California districts on tests and graduation
24% of students in Hayward’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hayward, 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 95% 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.
Hayward’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 530 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hayward’s, its schools beat 19%, lower than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
73% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Hayward Unified spends $22,288 per student and New Haven Unified $16,667, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Impact Academy of Arts & Technology, Leadership Public Schools - Hayward, Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori, Hayward Collegiate Charter, Opportunity Academy, Moreau Catholic High School (private), California Crosspoint Academy (private), St. Joachim School (private), St. Clement Catholic School (private), St. Bede Catholic School (private), All Saints Catholic School (private), Elmhurst Learning Center (private), Montessori Children's House of Hayward (private), Eiffel Tower Montessori Preschool and K (private) and Bayside Adventist Christian School (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 Hayward’s grade
C+: better than 40% of California school districts, #621 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hayward, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Hayward · depends on your address
Mt. Eden High
Grades 9–12 · 1,865 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hayward High
Grades 9–12 · 1,580 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Tennyson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,511 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Hayward · depends on your address
Mt. Eden High
Grades 9–12 · 1,865 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hayward High
Grades 9–12 · 1,580 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Tennyson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,511 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Hayward runs its own schools through grade 12 (Hayward Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the New Haven Unified School District, shared with Union City. Parts of Hayward (7%, 6% and 5% of its land) are served by Castro Valley Unified, San Lorenzo Unified and Pleasanton Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hayward
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Hayward vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Hayward’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hayward | C+ | Hayward Unified K–12 · New Haven Unified K–12 |
| Union City | B+ | New Haven Unified |
| Fremont | A | Fremont Unified |
| Pleasanton | A | Pleasanton Unified |
| San Leandro | B− | San Leandro Unified |
| Oakland | C | Oakland Unified |
| Foster City | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Hayward
44 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Eden Area ROP, Alternative Learning Academy at Conley-Caraballo High and Alameda County Special Education).
Questions about Hayward’s schools
Are Hayward’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Hayward children attend score below 60% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #621 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hayward in?
Two districts: Hayward Unified School District runs grades K–12, and New Haven Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Union City.
Where do Hayward kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Mt. Eden High, Hayward High and Tennyson High.
What is Hayward’s graduation rate?
73% of the class of 2023 in Hayward Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Hayward spend per student?
$22,288 in Hayward Unified School District and $16,667 in New Haven Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Hayward?
Yes: Moreau Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 793 students), California Crosspoint Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 565 students), St. Joachim School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 365 students), St. Clement Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 256 students), St. Bede Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 197 students), All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 155 students), Elmhurst Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 69 students), Montessori Children's House of Hayward (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 41 students), Eiffel Tower Montessori Preschool and K (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 36 students) and Bayside Adventist Christian School (religious, grades 1–8, 13 students). Hayward also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Hayward families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hayward → 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.