Best High Schools
in Oakland, California
We ranked the 46 high schools in Oakland with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.0 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Oakland for 2026 are Life Academy (8.9/10), Holy Names High School (8.6/10), and Oakland Unity High (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 46 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Oakland?
Every high 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.
Life Academy
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Holy Names High School
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Oakland Unity High
Oakland, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
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 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 46 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Academy Oakland Unified | 8.9 |
| 2 | Holy Names High School | 8.6 |
| 3 | Oakland Unity HighCharter Oakland Unity High District | 8.3 |
| 4 | Arise HighCharter ARISE High District | 8.1 |
| 5 | The College Preparatory School | 7.9 |
| 6 | Oakland Technical High Oakland Unified | 7.6 |
| 7 | Leadership Public Schools: RichmondCharter Leadership Public Schools: Richmond District | 7.3 |
| 8 | Leadership Public Schools - HaywardCharter Leadership Public Schools - Hayward District | 7.2 |
| 9 | Oakland Charter HighCharter Oakland Charter High District | 7.1 |
| 10 | Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory AcademyCharter Oakland Military Inst College Prep Acad DIST | 7.1 |
| 11 | Coliseum College Prep Academy Oakland Unified | 7.1 |
| 12 | Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory AcademyCharter Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy District | 6.9 |
| 13 | Ralph J. Bunche Continuation High Oakland Unified | 6.8 |
| 14 | Latitude 37.8 HighCharter Latitude 37.8 High District | 6.7 |
| 15 | Alternatives in ActionCharter Alternatives in Action District | 6.7 |
| 16 | East Bay Innovation AcademyCharter East Bay Innovation Academy District | 6.7 |
| 17 | Skyline High Oakland Unified | 6.7 |
| 18 | Metwest High Oakland Unified | 6.6 |
| 19 | Oakland International High Oakland Unified | 6.6 |
| 20 | Lighthouse Community Charter HighCharter Lighthouse Community Charter High District | 6.5 |
| 21 | Mcclymonds High Oakland Unified | 6.5 |
| 22 | Street Academy Alternative High Oakland Unified | 6.1 |
| 23 | Aims College Prep HighCharter AIMS College Prep High District | 6.0 |
| 24 | Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory AcademyCharter Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy District | 6.0 |
| 25 | Oakland High Oakland Unified | 6.0 |
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
Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy
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 65 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, Life Academy is the top-rated high 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 high schools are in Oakland, California?
Oakland has 65 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 6.1/10. 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 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 high school rankings?
Yes. Oakland has 26 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.