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Below Average

#7731 of 9,539 schools in CA

Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Oakland Unified

4803 Lawton Ave., Oakland, CA 94609

Enrollment

332

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,731 of 9,539

In Oakland

#85 of 147

public schools

In district

#44 of 79

Oakland Unified

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Emerson Elementary

4.7/10

Elementary School in Oakland · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oakland International High

6.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oakland Technical High

7.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Emerson Elementary

Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school in Oakland, CA, part of Oakland Unified. Emerson Elementary serves approximately 332 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,731 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Elementary show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Emerson Elementary runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

74% of students at Emerson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,181
Chronic Absenteeism73.5%

Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 28.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
21.4%
ELA
34.1%
2024
Math
25.5%
ELA
31.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Emerson Elementary Compares

See how Emerson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
73.5%

Location

4803 Lawton Ave., Oakland, CA 94609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beach Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is ESCUELA BILINGUE INTERNACIONAL (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Oakland Community Charter (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 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
Oakland International High Oakland 0.1 mi 6.6
Oakland Technical High Oakland 0.2 mi 7.6
PACIFIC BOYCHOIR ACADEMY Oakland 0.4 mi
Saint Leo the Great School Oakland 0.5 mi
Piedmont Avenue Elementary Oakland 0.6 mi 3.2
ROCKRIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oakland 0.8 mi
Claremont Middle Oakland 0.9 mi 9.1
Sankofa United Elementary Oakland 1.0 mi 4.4
MENTORING ACADEMY Oakland 1.0 mi
Peralta Elementary Oakland 1.1 mi 6.9
Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy Oakland 0.9 mi 7.1
Beach Elementary Piedmont 1.0 mi 9.6
Home and Hospital Program Oakland 0.9 mi
Young Adult Program Oakland 0.9 mi 5.3
ESCUELA BILINGUE INTERNACIONAL Oakland 1.2 mi 8.3
Street Academy Alternative High Oakland 1.2 mi 6.1
North Oakland Community Charter Oakland 1.0 mi 7.9
GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI Oakland 1.3 mi
Westlake Middle Oakland 1.4 mi 4.3
Hoover Elementary Oakland 1.2 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,698

Median Home Value

$1,147,900

Median Rent

$2,116/mo

Population

24,854

College Educated

62.2%

Homeownership

32.4%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

35.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA 4.7
Aurora Elementary Los Angeles, CA 4.7
Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park, CA 4.7
Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA 4.7
Box Springs Elementary Moreno Valley, CA 4.7
CALVARY MURRIETA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Murrieta, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Elementary

What grades does Emerson Elementary serve?

Emerson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Emerson Elementary?

Emerson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Elementary rank in CA?

Emerson Elementary ranks #7,731 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Emerson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson Elementary has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Emerson Elementary a charter school?

No, Emerson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emerson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Emerson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson Elementary?

77.4% of students at Emerson Elementary 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

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
66 Good Transit
Bike Score
92 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Alameda County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
73.5%

District

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

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