Skip to main content

Average

#3792 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 40% in state

Bret Harte Middle

Middle School · Oakland Unified

3700 Coolidge Ave., Oakland, CA 94602

Enrollment

417

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oakland

#55 of 147

public schools

California middle schools

#539 of 1,349

In district

#37 of 79

Oakland Unified

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Bret Harte Middle

Bret Harte Middle is a regular public school located in Oakland, California. Serving students from sixth to ninth grade, the school has an enrollment of 417 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, making it easier for teachers to provide personalized attention. The campus houses 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students.

Academically, Bret Harte Middle is ranked 34th percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.9 out of 10. While the school’s test scores in ELA/Reading are at 19% proficient or above and math proficiency is at 11%, these figures suggest that there is room for improvement and growth in student performance. Bret Harte Middle stands as an integral part of its urban setting, nestled within a large city where diverse communities come together.

The school’s location offers students access to various cultural and educational resources, fostering a rich learning environment beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bret Harte Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.9%
Math vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,628

Bret Harte Middle — Students at Bret Harte Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.4%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2024
Math
11%
ELA
18.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Bret Harte Middle Compares

See how Bret Harte Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

3700 Coolidge Ave., Oakland, CA 94602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bret Harte Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sequoia Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LIFE Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
FRED FINCH-OAKLAND HILLS ACADEMY Oakland 0.1 mi
Fred Finch–Oakland Hills Academy Oakland 0.1 mi
Sequoia Elementary Oakland 0.3 mi 9.1
Fruitvale Elementary Oakland 0.4 mi 3.9
HEAD ROYCE SCHOOL Oakland 0.6 mi 7.6
Head-Royce School Oakland 0.6 mi
THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Oakland 0.6 mi 8.7
Allendale Elementary Oakland 0.8 mi 7.4
GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oakland 0.8 mi
Growing Light Montessori School Oakland 0.8 mi
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakland 0.8 mi
Laurel Elementary Oakland 0.7 mi 7.0
Glenview Elementary Oakland 0.8 mi 8.1
REDWOOD DAY SCHOOL Oakland 0.8 mi 6.9
Corpus Christi Elementary Piedmont 1.0 mi
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Piedmont 1.0 mi 5.8
SENECA FAMILY OF AGENCIES MAYA ANGELOU ACADEMY Oakland 1.0 mi
Seneca Family of Agencies-Maya Angelou Academy Oakland 1.0 mi
LIFE Academy Oakland 1.2 mi 8.2
United for Success Academy Middle Oakland 1.2 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$124,744

Median Home Value

$1,111,800

Median Rent

$1,924/mo

Population

31,450

College Educated

58%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bret Harte Middle has a median household income of $124,744. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,111,800, with a median rent of $1,924/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Black Diamond Middle Antioch, CA 6.8
Charles D. Jones Middle Baldwin Park, CA 6.8
Marina del Rey Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.8
PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Burbank, CA 6.8
Palermo Palermo, CA 6.8
Rio Linda Preparatory Academy Rio Linda, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bret Harte Middle

What grades does Bret Harte Middle serve?

Bret Harte Middle serves students in grades 6th through 9th.

How many students attend Bret Harte Middle?

Bret Harte Middle has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Middle is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bret Harte Middle rank in CA?

Bret Harte Middle is ranked #3792 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bret Harte Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bret Harte Middle has a composite rating of 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bret Harte Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bret Harte Middle has 11.4% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bret Harte Middle a charter school?

No, Bret Harte Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bret Harte Middle a Title I school?

No, Bret Harte Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bret Harte Middle?

89.2% of students at Bret Harte Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (9,182/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 9th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Alameda County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oakland Unified
District Enrollment
33,916
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,181
District Rank
#37 of 79

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.