Best Schools in Hayward, California
56 schools · 35 Elementary · 6 Middle · 12 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Hayward?
Use this page to compare every school in Hayward 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.
Mt. Eden High
High · Hayward Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science
Elementary · Hayward Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hayward High
High · Hayward Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hayward for 2026 are Mt. Eden High (7.4/10), Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science (7.3/10), and Hayward High (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 36 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
56
37 public · 19 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$896,960
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
56
37 public · 19 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$896,960
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 7.4/10 despite 80% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Hayward schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +6.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hayward schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hayward
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 36 rated schools; 56 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mt. Eden High | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Hayward High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Lorin A. Eden Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Anthony W. Ochoa Middle | 7.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Cesar Chavez Middle | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Eden Gardens Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Eldridge Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Winton Middle | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Tyrrell Elementary | 6.4 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $117,588
- Median home value
- $896,960
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hayward compares
California rank
#488 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$118k
118% of California median
Schools in this city
43
Education Snapshot
Hayward, CaliforniaHayward spans 62 schools across 5 districts, enrolling roughly 24,625 students in a mix of 37 elementary, 15 high, and 5 middle schools. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.6/10 — measured across 46 scored schools — sits 0.7 points below California's state average of 6.3/10, with 16 schools not yet rated. That below-average composite contrasts with an above-median income profile: Hayward's median household income of $110,016 runs 5% above California's state median of $105,206. Adult educational attainment is 32% with bachelor's degrees or higher. Charter options are limited — 2 schools among the 62 — leaving most families choosing within district boundaries. With 5 separate districts and 16 schools still unscored, families get a sharper picture by comparing individual school ratings directly against California's 6.3/10 state average rather than relying on the city's 5.6/10 composite.
Hayward Unified runs 76% of Hayward's public schools
Hayward touches 5 districts, but Hayward Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Hayward Unified accounts for 28 of 37 public schools (76%). The other 4 districts hold the remaining 9.
Among 36 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.6 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Hayward, not a citywide average.
- Hayward Unified28 public · 76%
- New Haven Unified3 public · 8%
- San Lorenzo Unified3 public · 8%
- Alameda County Office of Education2 public · 5%
- Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori District1 public · 3%
About Schools in Hayward, California
Hayward's public school system covers 36 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city's average school score lands at 5.5 out of 10, which reflects a broad performance spread — some schools significantly outperform that midpoint while others pull the average down. Parents should treat that citywide number as a baseline, not a ceiling.
Only 5 schools, or 14% of ranked public schools, score 7 or above, so high-performing options are available but not abundant. Stonebrae Elementary leads the city with an 8.8 out of 10, a notable gap above every other school on the list and one of the stronger elementary scores in the East Bay. Palma Ceia Elementary follows at 7.3, and Lorenzo Manor Elementary also clears the 7-point threshold at 7.0. For families with school-age children who haven't yet reached middle or high school, those three elementaries represent the clearest high-performance targets in Hayward.
At the secondary level, Mt. Eden High scores 7.2 out of 10, making it the standout high school option for parents planning ahead. Bret Harte Middle scores 7.0, giving families a viable pathway through strong schools at consecutive grade levels — particularly relevant if you're mapping a K–12 trajectory. Both schools sit within that select 14% tier, which matters when comparing Hayward against neighboring cities where that proportion may be higher or lower.
Practically speaking, parents researching Hayward should prioritize enrollment zone research early. Because strong schools are concentrated in specific pockets rather than spread evenly across the city, your home address will have a direct impact on your default school assignments. The gap between Stonebrae's 8.8 and the city average of 5.5 is significant enough that proximity to top schools is worth factoring into neighborhood decisions. Families with flexibility on location should cross-reference school scores with district attendance boundaries before committing. Those without geographic flexibility should look closely at any available open enrollment or inter-district transfer options within Hayward Unified and neighboring districts.
Elementary Schools
35 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 109 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 365 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 477 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 |
| 4 | 286 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 |
| 5 | 588 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 514 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 623 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 |
| 8 | 583 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 423 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 473 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.1 |
Show all 35 elementary schools in Hayward
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 455 students · 7th–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 531 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 703 students · 7th–8th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 493 students · 7th–8th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 13 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,892 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 1,667 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 132 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 118 students · 7th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 127 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 6 | 157 students · 10th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 1,558 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 8 | 8 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Moreau Catholic High SchoolPrivate 793 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 23 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 high schools in Hayward
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 617 students · 1st–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 58 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 500 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Hayward
Hayward, California · 56 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$117,588
Median Home Value
$896,960
Median Rent
$2,421/mo
Population
238,287
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Community Profile
Hayward has a median household income of $117,588. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $896,960, with a median rent of $2,421/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 35
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 12
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 Hayward, California
How many schools are in Hayward, California?
Hayward has 56 schools, including 37 public and 19 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hayward, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hayward is 5.7 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 Hayward, California?
The top-ranked school in Hayward on MySchoolScout is Mt. Eden High with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hayward, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hayward on MySchoolScout is Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Hayward, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Hayward on MySchoolScout is Anthony W. Ochoa Middle with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Hayward, California?
The top-ranked high school in Hayward on MySchoolScout is Mt. Eden High with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Hayward, California?
Hayward is served by 5 school districts: Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori District, Hayward Unified, New Haven Unified, San Lorenzo Unified, Alameda County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Hayward, California?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Hayward have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hayward, California?
The median household income in Hayward is approximately $117,588 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hayward, California?
Yes, Hayward has 19 private schools alongside 37 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northstar School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hayward, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hayward is 19.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hayward, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.