Excellent
#906 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 10% in state
Emerson Elementary
Elementary School · Oakland Unified
4803 Lawton Ave., Oakland, CA 94609
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#15 of 147
public schools
California elementary schools
#655 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 79
Oakland Unified
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Emerson Elementary
Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school in Oakland, CA, part of the Oakland Unified. The school serves approximately 332 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 22% proficiency in math, 18 points below the state average and 28% in reading/language arts, 18 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $106,698, where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Emerson Elementary Compares
See how Emerson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 31.2% (2024).
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 9.5/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Piedmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sankofa United Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ESCUELA BILINGUE INTERNACIONAL (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.9 |
| Oakland Technical High Oakland | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| PACIFIC BOYCHOIR ACADEMY Oakland | 0.4 mi | — |
| Saint Leo the Great School Oakland | 0.5 mi | — |
| Piedmont Avenue Elementary Oakland | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ROCKRIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oakland | 0.8 mi | — |
| Claremont Middle Oakland | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Sankofa United Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| MENTORING ACADEMY Oakland | 1.0 mi | — |
| Peralta Elementary Oakland | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy Oakland | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Beach Elementary Piedmont | 1.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Home and Hospital Program Oakland | 0.9 mi | — |
| Young Adult Program Oakland | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ESCUELA BILINGUE INTERNACIONAL Oakland | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Street Academy Alternative High Oakland | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| North Oakland Community Charter Oakland | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI Oakland | 1.3 mi | — |
| Westlake Middle Oakland | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hoover Elementary Oakland | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emerson Elementary has a median household income of $106,698. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,147,900, with a median rent of $2,116/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Almond Elementary Los Altos, CA | 8.3 |
| Barton Hill Elementary San Pedro, CA | 8.3 |
| Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA | 8.3 |
| Beethoven Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.3 |
| Blythe Street Elementary Reseda, CA | 8.3 |
| Bursch Elementary Compton, CA | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #906 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Emerson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Emerson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson Elementary has 21.9% math proficiency and 27.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 94 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 92 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (9,182/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (510) 879-2115
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oakland Unified- District Enrollment
- 33,916
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,181
- District Rank
- #12 of 79
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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