Best High Schools
in Oakland, California
We ranked all 63 high schools in Oakland. The top 25 scored between 6.1 and 8.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
Oakland's 43 ranked high schools span a wide performance range, with an average composite score of 5.9/10 — but the top of the table pulls well above that mark. Oakland Technical High and Skyline High both score 8.7/10, leading a group of eight schools that clear the 7/10 threshold, roughly 19% of the ranked pool. That gap between the average and the leaders makes school selection here especially consequential. Families willing to look across district and charter options will find meaningful differences in outcomes. Oakland Unity High, LIFE Academy, and Latitude 37.8 High all land in the upper tier, showing that strong performers aren't limited to a single school type. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors that matter to your student — the spread in the data rewards a close look.
Oakland Technical High
Skyline High
HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Oakland's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland Technical High Oakland Unified | 8.7 |
| 2 | Skyline High Oakland Unified | 8.7 |
| 3 | HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL | 8.6 |
| 4 | Oakland Unity High Charter Oakland Unity High District | 8.3 |
| 5 | LIFE Academy Oakland Unified | 8.2 |
| 6 | Latitude 37.8 High Charter Latitude 37.8 High District | 7.9 |
| 7 | THE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 7.9 |
| 8 | Street Academy Alternative High Oakland Unified | 7.1 |
| 9 | Young Adult Program Oakland Unified | 7.1 |
| 10 | ARISE High Charter ARISE High District | 7.0 |
| 11 | Oakland Charter High Charter Oakland Charter High District | 6.9 |
| 12 | MetWest High Oakland Unified | 6.9 |
| 13 | Leadership Public Schools: Richmond Charter Leadership Public Schools: Richmond District | 6.8 |
| 14 | East Bay Innovation Academy Charter East Bay Innovation Academy District | 6.8 |
| 15 | McClymonds High Oakland Unified | 6.8 |
| 16 | Leadership Public Schools - Hayward Charter Leadership Public Schools - Hayward District | 6.7 |
| 17 | Ralph J. Bunche Continuation High Oakland Unified | 6.7 |
| 18 | Lighthouse Community Charter High Charter Lighthouse Community Charter High District | 6.6 |
| 19 | Alternatives in Action Charter Alternatives in Action District | 6.5 |
| 20 | Oakland High Oakland Unified | 6.5 |
| 21 | Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy Charter Oakland Military Inst College Prep Acad DIST | 6.4 |
| 22 | KIPP Esperanza High Charter KIPP Esperanza High District | 6.4 |
| 23 | Madison Park Academy 6-12 Oakland Unified | 6.2 |
| 24 | Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy Charter Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy District | 6.1 |
| 25 | Dewey Academy High Oakland Unified | 6.1 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High 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 High Schools
Choosing the Right High 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 high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 63 schools spanning 69 school districts, plus 26 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 high school in Oakland, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Oakland Technical High is the top-rated high school in Oakland with a composite score of 8.7/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Oakland, California?
Oakland has 63 high schools, including 26 charter schools. Of these, 47 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Oakland?
The average composite score for Oakland high schools is 6.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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 high school rankings?
Yes. Oakland has 26 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.