Below Average
#8760 of 9,533 schools in CA
Oakland School for the Arts
High School · Oakland School for the Arts District
530 18th St., Oakland, CA 94612
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#121 of 147
public schools
California high schools
#1,814 of 1,892
About Oakland School for the Arts
Oakland School for the Arts serves grades 6 through 12 in Oakland's downtown area at 530 18th Street. As a public charter school, it enrolls 780 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1 and a faculty of 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school ranks at the 55th percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7/10.
Reading proficiency is a relative strength, with 64% of students performing at or above grade level in ELA across all grades. Math performance shows room for growth, with 36% of students achieving proficiency or above. The school's academic score of 7.2/10 reflects a mixed picture of student achievement with opportunities for advancement in core subjects.
Oakland School for the Arts is situated in a large city environment, serving a diverse student population in one of the Bay Area's most vibrant neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Oakland School for the Arts is 23.6:1, 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.
Oakland School for the Arts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Oakland School for the Arts — Students at Oakland School for the Arts score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 2.7/10.
How Oakland School for the Arts Compares
See how Oakland School for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 32.48% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 62.44% (2024).
Location
530 18th St., Oakland, CA 94612
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Oakland School for the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Street Academy Alternative High (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McClymonds High (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ralph J. Bunche Continuation High (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Envision Academy for Arts & Technology Oakland | 0.3 mi | 3.4 |
| STARLITE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Oakland | 0.5 mi | — |
| LAMBO ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL Oakland | 0.5 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary Oakland | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| KIPP Bridge Academy Oakland | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| LAMBO ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL Oakland | 0.6 mi | — |
| LAMBO Academy International Oakland | 0.6 mi | — |
| AIMS College Prep Middle Oakland | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| American Indian Public Charter School II Oakland | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Andrew M.B.C. Private P. C. P. C. Oakland | 0.6 mi | — |
| Street Academy Alternative High Oakland | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| St. Paul's Episcopal School Oakland | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST PAULS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Oakland | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Westlake Middle Oakland | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| West Oakland Middle Oakland | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Ralph J. Bunche Continuation High Oakland | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Oakland | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| McClymonds High Oakland | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Gateway to College High at Laney College Oakland | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Yu Ming Charter Oakland | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,069
Median Home Value
$814,000
Median Rent
$1,936/mo
Population
17,663
College Educated
54.5%
Homeownership
10.2%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Oakland School for the Arts has a median household income of $77,069. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $814,000, with a median rent of $1,936/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Riverbank High Riverbank, CA | 4.1 |
| Sonora High Sonora, CA | 4.1 |
| Paradise Senior High Paradise, CA | 4.0 |
| Sutter High Sutter, CA | 4.0 |
| Mesa Verde High Citrus Heights, CA | 4.2 |
| Options for Youth-Victor Valley Charter Covina, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Oakland School for the Arts
What grades does Oakland School for the Arts serve?
Oakland School for the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Oakland School for the Arts?
Oakland School for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 780 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Oakland School for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Oakland School for the Arts is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Oakland School for the Arts rank in CA?
Oakland School for the Arts is ranked #8760 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Oakland School for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Oakland School for the Arts has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Oakland School for the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oakland School for the Arts has 36.3% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Oakland School for the Arts a charter school?
Yes, Oakland School for the Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Oakland School for the Arts a Title I school?
No, Oakland School for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oakland School for the Arts?
23.7% of students at Oakland School for the Arts 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
- 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 – 12th
- Enrollment
- 780
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Alameda County
- Phone
- (510) 873-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oakland School for the Arts District- District Enrollment
- 780
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,516
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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