Best Elementary Schools
in Oakland, California
We ranked the 93 elementary schools in Oakland with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.4 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Oakland for 2026 are Melrose Leadership Academy (8.9/10), The Renaissance International School (8.7/10), and Yu Ming Charter (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 93 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Oakland?
Every elementary school in Oakland is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Melrose Leadership Academy
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
The Renaissance International School
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Yu Ming Charter
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Oakland's 85 ranked elementary schools span a wide performance range, with an average composite score of 5.8/10 across the district. That spread matters: 32 schools — 38% of the total — score 7 or above, meaning strong options exist across multiple neighborhoods, but outcomes vary significantly depending on where you look. Sequoia Elementary leads the field at 9.1/10, tied with Melrose Leadership Academy at the top. Redwood Heights Elementary follows closely at 8.9/10, while Madison Park Academy Elementary and Sankofa United Elementary both land at 8.7/10. The table below lets you sort by score, location, and other key metrics to compare schools directly. Whether you're prioritizing academic performance, proximity, or school type, the data gives you a concrete starting point for evaluating which Oakland elementary schools best fit your child's needs.
Melrose Leadership Academy
The Renaissance International School
Yu Ming Charter
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Oakland's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 93 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melrose Leadership Academy Oakland Unified | 8.9 |
| 2 | The Renaissance International School | 8.7 |
| 3 | Yu Ming Charter Charter Yu Ming Charter District | 8.6 |
| 4 | Cox Academy Charter Cox Academy District | 8.3 |
| 5 | Escuela Bilingue Internacional | 8.3 |
| 6 | Kipp Bridge Academy Charter KIPP Bridge Academy District | 8.2 |
| 7 | Sequoia Elementary Oakland Unified | 8.1 |
| 8 | St Pauls Episcopal School | 8.1 |
| 9 | Achieve Academy Charter Achieve Academy District | 8.0 |
| 10 | North Oakland Community Charter Charter North Oakland Community Charter District | 7.9 |
| 11 | Aspire Firestone Academy Charter Charter Aspire Firestone Academy Charter District | 7.7 |
| 12 | St Theresa School | 7.7 |
| 13 | Chabot Elementary Oakland Unified | 7.5 |
| 14 | American Indian Public Charter School II Charter American Indian Public Charter School II District | 7.4 |
| 15 | Crocker Highlands Elementary Oakland Unified | 7.4 |
| 16 | Glenview Elementary Oakland Unified | 7.3 |
| 17 | Oakland Hebrew Day School | 7.1 |
| 18 | Aspire College Academy Charter Aspire College Academy District | 7.0 |
| 19 | Ascend Charter ASCEND District | 6.9 |
| 20 | Hillcrest Oakland Unified | 6.9 |
| 21 | Peralta Elementary Oakland Unified | 6.9 |
| 22 | Redwood Day School | 6.9 |
| 23 | Redwood Heights Elementary Oakland Unified | 6.7 |
| 24 | Aurora School | 6.5 |
| 25 | Lincoln Elementary Oakland Unified | 6.4 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Oakland
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Oakland's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Oakland
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Oakland's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 116 schools spanning 69 school districts, plus 35 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Oakland, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Melrose Leadership Academy is the top-rated elementary school in Oakland with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Oakland, California?
Oakland has 116 elementary schools, including 35 charter schools. Of these, 94 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Oakland?
The average composite score for Oakland elementary schools is 4.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within California, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Oakland elementary school rankings?
Yes. Oakland has 35 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.