Best Schools in Albany, California
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Albany?
Use this page to compare every school in Albany by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Albany High
High · Albany City Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cornell Elementary
Elementary · Albany City Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Albany Middle
Middle · Albany City Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Albany for 2026 are Albany High (9.1/10), Cornell Elementary (9.1/10), and Albany Middle (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,188,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,188,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Albany
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany High | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Cornell Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Albany Middle | 9.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Marin Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Ocean View Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Tilden Preparatory School | 6.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $136,961
- Median home value
- $1,188,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 77%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
83% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Albany compares
California rank
#21 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.8
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$137k
137% of California median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Albany, California
Albany, California is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Albany perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Albany is Albany High with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Albany is served by 1 school district: Albany City Unified. These districts collectively serve 3,574 students.
Albany's community shows 77% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $136,961. The poverty rate in the area is 8.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 551 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 514 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 548 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 827 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,117 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | 10 students · 10th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tilden Preparatory School
Private
91 students · 6th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | Tilden Preparatory School
Private
160 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Albany
Albany, California · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$136,961
Median Home Value
$1,188,100
Median Rent
$2,394/mo
Population
20,486
College Educated
77%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Community Profile
Albany has a median household income of $136,961. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,188,100, with a median rent of $2,394/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Albany, California
How many schools are in Albany, California?
Albany has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Albany, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Albany is 8.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Albany, California?
The top-ranked school in Albany on MySchoolScout is Albany High with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Albany, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Albany on MySchoolScout is Cornell Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Albany, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Albany on MySchoolScout is Albany Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Albany, California?
The top-ranked high school in Albany on MySchoolScout is Albany High with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Albany, California?
Albany is served by 1 school district: Albany City Unified.
What is the education level in Albany, California?
According to Census data, 77% of adults in Albany have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Albany, California?
The median household income in Albany is approximately $136,961 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Albany, California?
Yes, Albany has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Tilden Preparatory School with a score of 6.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Albany, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Albany is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Albany, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.