Photo: Robert Hsiao · CC BY-SA 4.0Oakland’s public schools score below 66% of California districts on tests and graduation
35% of students in Oakland’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the California average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Oakland, 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 88% 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.
Oakland’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 574 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Oakland’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 34% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,692 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
53 elementary schools, then 18 middle and ten high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Oakland Charter High, AIMS College Prep Middle, Downtown Charter Academy, Aspire Triumph Technology Academy, Latitude 37.8 High, Aspire Golden State College Preparatory Academy, Envision Academy for Arts & Technology, Alternatives in Action, Community School for Creative Education, Ascend, Cox Academy, Lodestar: A Lighthouse Community Charter Public, Urban Montessori Charter, Bay Area Technology, Francophone Charter School of Oakland, American Indian Public Charter School II, Learning Without Limits, Lighthouse Community Charter, LPS Oakland R & D Campus, Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy, Yu Ming Charter, Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy, Aspire College Academy, Achieve Academy, East Bay Innovation Academy, Oakland Charter Academy, Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy, AIMS College Prep High, KIPP Bridge Academy, Oakland Unity High, Oakland Unity Middle, Lighthouse Community Charter High, Lazear Charter Academy, Aspire Monarch Academy, Oakland School for the Arts, Aurum Preparatory Academy, ARISE High, Bishop Odowd High School (private), Head Royce School (private), Redwood Day School (private), The College Preparatory School (private), Park Day School (private), St. Pauls Episcopal School (private), Cristo Rey de la Salle East Bay High School (private), St. Paul's Day School (private), School of Saint Leo the Great (private), St. Theresa School (private), St. Elizabeth Elementary School (private), St. Vincent's Day Home (private), Oakland Hebrew Day School (private), Rockridge Montessori School (private), Julia Morgan School for Girls (private), Holy Names High School (private), Ile Omode (private), The Renaissance School (private), The Renaissance International School (private), Grand Lake Montessori (private), Aurora School (private), Patten Academy of Christian Education (private), First Covenant Treehouse Preschool & TK (private), Mountain BLVD Montessori School (private), Starlite Child Development Center (private), Cornerstone Christian Academy (private), Spectrum Center (private), Fred Finch-Oakland Hills Academy (private), Pentecostal Way of Truth School Academy (private) and Lambo Academy International (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 Oakland’s grade
C: better than 34% of California school districts, #711 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 Oakland, with each school’s own grade.
Oakland’s public schools are run by Oakland Unified School District. Parts of Oakland (3% of its land) are served by San Leandro Unified instead. 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 below the state in reading
Oakland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Oakland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland | C | Oakland Unified |
| Berkeley | A | Berkeley Unified |
| San Leandro | B− | San Leandro Unified |
| Alameda | A | Alameda City Unified |
| Emeryville | C− | Emery Unified |
| Hayward | C+ | Hayward Unified K–12 · New Haven Unified K–12 |
| South San Francisco | B+ | South San Francisco Unified K–12 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
| Brisbane | B+ | Brisbane Elementary K–8 · Bayshore Elementary K–8 · Jefferson Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Oakland
150 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: 7 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Burbank Preschool Center, United Nations CDC, Lockwood CDC, Highland CDC, Harriet Tubman CDC, Centro Infantil CDC and Epic Charter).
Questions about Oakland’s schools
Are Oakland’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Oakland children attend score below 66% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #711 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Oakland in?
Oakland Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 33,736 students in 83 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Oakland are served by San Leandro Unified.
Where do Oakland kids go to high school?
One of 10 high schools, depending on your address: Oakland Technical High, Oakland High, Skyline High, Fremont High, Coliseum College Prep Academy, Castlemont High, Madison Park Academy 6-12, LIFE Academy, McClymonds High and Home and Hospital Program.
What is Oakland’s graduation rate?
74% of the class of 2023 in Oakland Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Oakland spend per student?
$25,692 in Oakland Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Oakland?
Yes: Bishop Odowd High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,263 students), Head Royce School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 906 students), Redwood Day School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 417 students), The College Preparatory School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 367 students), Park Day School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 359 students), St. Pauls Episcopal School (religious, grades K–8, 351 students), Cristo Rey de la Salle East Bay High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 351 students), St. Paul's Day School (religious, grades K–8, 349 students), School of Saint Leo the Great (Catholic, grades PK–8, 210 students), St. Theresa School (Catholic, grades K–8, 197 students), St. Elizabeth Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 169 students), St. Vincent's Day Home (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 164 students), Oakland Hebrew Day School (religious, grades PK–8, 162 students), Rockridge Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 128 students), Julia Morgan School for Girls (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 6–8, 122 students), Holy Names High School (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 121 students), Ile Omode (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 117 students), The Renaissance School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 113 students), The Renaissance International School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 112 students), Grand Lake Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 105 students), Aurora School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 96 students), Patten Academy of Christian Education (religious, grades K–12, 93 students), First Covenant Treehouse Preschool & TK (religious, grades PK–K, 73 students), Mountain BLVD Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 45 students), Starlite Child Development Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 38 students), Cornerstone Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 19 students), Spectrum Center (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 18 students), Fred Finch-Oakland Hills Academy (special education, grades 6–12, 15 students), Pentecostal Way of Truth School Academy (nonsectarian, grades 1–9, 12 students) and Lambo Academy International (religious, grades 6–10, 6 students). Oakland also has 37 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Oakland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Oakland → 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.