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Excellent

#90 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 5% of private schools

The Berkeley School

Elementary School

1310 UNIVERSITY AVE, Berkeley, CA 94702

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Berkeley. Learn more

Enrollment

153

Student-Teacher

6.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Berkeley

#3 of 14

public schools

California elementary schools

#51 of 1,102

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Very strong

About The Berkeley School

The Berkeley School serves 153 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Berkeley, California, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional 6.4:1 student-teacher ratio. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides personalized attention that contributes to its outstanding academic reputation. The school has earned a remarkable 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #157 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among California schools.

This impressive performance reflects the dedication of both faculty and the school community to educational excellence. Located at 1310 University Avenue, The Berkeley School sits in the heart of an intellectually vibrant neighborhood where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community demonstrates strong economic stability with a median household income of $98,873, though maintains economic diversity with an 11.4% poverty rate.

The area's median home value of $1,126,900 reflects the desirability of this Berkeley location. The school benefits from being situated in Berkeley's dynamic mid-size city environment, where families value education and community engagement, creating an atmosphere that supports both academic achievement and personal growth for students throughout their elementary and middle school years.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 153 students, The Berkeley School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1, The Berkeley School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The Berkeley School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$47,862
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$51,176
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.07x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
93%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$15.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 153 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Berkeley School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Berkeley, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
This School
vs
19.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
153
This School
vs
385
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.0
This School
vs
9.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 41.8% vs 0%
Asian 11.1% vs 0%
Black 9.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.3% vs 0%
The Berkeley School Berkeley Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
The Berkeley School (this school) 8.0
Oxford Elementary at West Campus 8.6
Rosa Parks Environmental Science 8.7
Ruth Acty Elementary 9.5
Washington Elementary 9.0
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle 9.1
Martin Luther King Middle 8.3
Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier 9.1
Berkeley Independent Study K-8
Malcolm X Elementary 8.5
Sylvia Mendez Elementary 9.2
Willard Middle 8.9
Thousand Oaks Elementary 9.1
Cragmont Elementary 9.1
Emerson Elementary 9.1
John Muir Elementary 9.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,183
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 153
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 41.8%
Two or More 34.6%
Asian 11.1%
Black 9.2%
Hispanic 3.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1310 UNIVERSITY AVE, Berkeley, CA 94702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Berkeley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ruth Acty Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rosa Parks Environmental Science (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Berkeley, see our Berkeley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Oxford Elementary at West Campus Berkeley 0.1 mi 8.6
CEDAR CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Berkeley 0.5 mi
Shu Ren International School Berkeley 0.4 mi
Rosa Parks Environmental Science Berkeley 0.5 mi 8.7
Ruth Acty Elementary Berkeley 0.6 mi 9.5
BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley 0.5 mi 7.4
Black Pine Circle Berkeley 0.6 mi
The Crowden School Berkeley 0.7 mi
THE CROWDEN SCHOOL Berkeley 0.7 mi 7.8
BPC UPPER SCHOOL Berkeley 0.6 mi 7.4
VIA CENTER Berkeley 0.7 mi
Fusion Academy Berkeley Berkeley 0.7 mi
FUSION ACADEMY BERKELEY Berkeley 0.7 mi 6.7
BERKWOOD HEDGE SCHOOL Berkeley 0.7 mi 7.9
Berkwood Hedge School Berkeley 0.7 mi
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle Berkeley 0.8 mi 9.1
Saint Mary's College High School Berkeley 0.9 mi
Washington Elementary Berkeley 0.7 mi 9.0
WALDEN CENTER & SCHOOL Berkeley 0.8 mi 6.0
Berkeley High Berkeley 0.8 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,135

Median Home Value

$1,168,200

Median Rent

$1,974/mo

Population

17,073

College Educated

65.5%

Homeownership

48.9%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Berkeley School has a median household income of $99,135. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,168,200, with a median rent of $1,974/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Alexander Valley Elementary Healdsburg, CA 8.0
Buena Vista Elementary Tulare, CA 8.0
Cajon Valley Home El Cajon, CA 8.0
Charter Home School Academy Visalia, CA 8.0
Forty-Second Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Fourth Street Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Berkeley School

What grades does The Berkeley School serve?

The Berkeley School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend The Berkeley School?

The Berkeley School has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Berkeley School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Berkeley School is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Berkeley School rank in CA?

The Berkeley School is ranked #90 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is The Berkeley School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Berkeley School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.

Is The Berkeley School a private school?

Yes, The Berkeley School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Berkeley School a religious school?

No, The Berkeley School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
66 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (5,909/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
153
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
169 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
ALAMEDA
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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