Excellent
#1288 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
William G. Paden Elementary
Elementary School · Alameda Unified
444 Central Ave., Alameda, CA 94501
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alameda
#6 of 18
public schools
California elementary schools
#923 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 15
Alameda Unified
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About William G. Paden Elementary
William G. Paden Elementary serves 377 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Alameda, California. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide at #2596 out of 9566 California elementary schools. Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 56% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 55% reaching proficiency in mathematics. William G.
Paden Elementary operates within an affluent and well-educated community in the 94501 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $116,596 and 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.2%, with median home values of $1,148,400 reflecting the desirable nature of this Alameda County location. The school is positioned in a large suburban setting that combines the benefits of suburban living with proximity to the greater Bay Area.
This environment provides students with access to educational resources while maintaining the close-knit community feel that characterizes much of Alameda's residential landscape.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at William G. Paden Elementary is 25.1:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
William G. Paden Elementary — Students at William G. Paden Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.7%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How William G. Paden Elementary Compares
See how William G. Paden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 55.61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 56.52% (2024).
Location
444 Central Ave., Alameda, CA 94501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William G. Paden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Academy of Alameda (rated 8.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ruby Bridges Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Alameda, see our Alameda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF ALAMEDA Alameda | 0.3 mi | — |
| Island High (Continuation) Alameda | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Encinal Junior/Senior High Alameda | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| The Academy of Alameda Alameda | 0.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Alameda Community Learning Center Alameda | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Nea Community Learning Center Alameda | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Alameda Science and Technology Institute Alameda | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Ruby Bridges Elementary Alameda | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Maya Lin Alameda | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Franklin Elementary Alameda | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Will C. Wood Middle Alameda | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alameda | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ST JOSEPH NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Alameda | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| St. Joseph Elementary Alameda | 1.6 mi | — |
| Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Alameda | 1.6 mi | — |
| THE PHILLIPS ACADEMY Alameda | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| LAMBO ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL Oakland | 2.1 mi | — |
| LAMBO Academy International Oakland | 2.1 mi | — |
| LAMBO ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL Oakland | 2.1 mi | — |
| Gateway to College High at Laney College Oakland | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,500
Median Home Value
$1,213,100
Median Rent
$2,362/mo
Population
63,517
College Educated
58.1%
Homeownership
41.8%
Avg Commute
31.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding William G. Paden Elementary has a median household income of $119,500. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,213,100, with a median rent of $2,362/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA | 8.0 |
| Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Bixby Elementary Hacienda Heights, CA | 8.0 |
| Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA | 8.0 |
| Capistrano Avenue Elementary West Hills, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William G. Paden Elementary
What grades does William G. Paden Elementary serve?
William G. Paden Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend William G. Paden Elementary?
William G. Paden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William G. Paden Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at William G. Paden Elementary is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William G. Paden Elementary rank in CA?
William G. Paden Elementary is ranked #1288 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is William G. Paden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
William G. Paden Elementary 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.
What are the test scores at William G. Paden Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William G. Paden Elementary has 54.3% math proficiency and 55.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William G. Paden Elementary a charter school?
No, William G. Paden Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William G. Paden Elementary a Title I school?
No, William G. Paden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William G. Paden Elementary?
46.7% of students at William G. Paden 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 377
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Alameda County
- Phone
- (510) 748-4014
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alameda Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,061
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,957
- District Rank
- #5 of 15
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.