Needs Improvement
#9435 of 9,539 schools in CA
Harder Elementary
Elementary School · Hayward Unified
585 Willow Ave., Hayward, CA 94541
Enrollment
666
Student-Teacher
24.7:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
666
Student-Teacher
24.7:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,435 of 9,539
In Hayward
#36 of 36
public schools
In district
#28 of 28
Hayward Unified
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Harder Elementary
Elementary School in Hayward · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Team Academy for Girls
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harder Elementary
Harder Elementary is a public elementary school in Hayward, CA, part of Hayward Unified. Harder Elementary serves approximately 666 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Harder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #9,435 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Harder Elementary show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Harder Elementary runs 24.7:1 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.
49% of students at Harder 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harder Elementary — Students at Harder Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.
How Harder Elementary Compares
See how Harder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
585 Willow Ave., Hayward, CA 94541
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harder Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hayward Collegiate Charter (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Hollister), which scores notably higher. Another option is Schafer Park Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF HAYWARD (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hayward, see our Hayward schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Team Academy for Girls Hayward | 0.3 mi | — |
| Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science Hayward | 0.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Hayward Collegiate Charter Hollister | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| BAYSIDE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hayward | 0.7 mi | — |
| Tennyson High Hayward | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Bayside Seventh-day Adventist Christian Hayward | 0.7 mi | — |
| Glassbrook Elementary Hayward | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori Hayward | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Tyrrell Elementary Hayward | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| ST BEDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hayward | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Bede School Hayward | 0.9 mi | — |
| MOREAU CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hayward | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Moreau Catholic High School Hayward | 0.8 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF HAYWARD Hayward | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Schafer Park Elementary Hayward | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ST CLEMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hayward | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Saint Clement Catholic School Hayward | 1.0 mi | — |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Hayward | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| MISSION VALLEY SPECTRUM - MISSION Hayward | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| SPECTRUM CENTER, INC.-MISSION VALLEY CAMPUS Hayward | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94541 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,556
Median Home Value
$781,900
Median Rent
$2,229/mo
Population
67,785
College Educated
30.2%
Homeownership
47.2%
Avg Commute
34.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
37.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anna Kyle Elementary Fairfield, CA | 2.6 |
| Dan O. Root Elementary Suisun City, CA | 2.6 |
| Little Lake Elementary Hemet, CA | 2.6 |
| Naranca Elementary El Cajon, CA | 2.6 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Fresno, CA | 2.6 |
| Sycamore Rocks Elementary Apple Valley, CA | 2.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harder Elementary
What grades does Harder Elementary serve?
Harder Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Harder Elementary?
Harder Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 666 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harder Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harder Elementary is 24.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harder Elementary rank in CA?
Harder Elementary ranks #9,435 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Harder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Harder Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harder Elementary has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Harder Elementary a charter school?
No, Harder Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harder Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harder Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harder Elementary?
82.4% of students at Harder 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 666
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Alameda County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 49.1%
- Phone
- (510) 723-3840
Resources & Links
District
Hayward Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,631
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,775
- District Rank
- #28 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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