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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Berkeley Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 9,589 students in Berkeley, CA (there are 25 private schools, serving 2,991 private students). 77% of all K-12 students in Berkeley, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%). Berkeley has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in California.
The top-ranked public schools in Berkeley, CA are Ruth Acty Elementary School, Kensington Elementary School and Rosa Parks Environmental Science. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Berkeley, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Berkeley have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Berkeley, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ruth Acty Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1465 Acton St.
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 644-6298
Gr: K-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Kensington Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
90 Highland Blvd.
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 231-1415
Gr: K-6 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Rosa Parks Environmental Science
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
920 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 644-8812
Gr: K-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Berkeley Arts Magnet At Whittier
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1645 Milvia St.
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 644-6225
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-6890
Gr: K-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #66.
Willard Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2425 Stuart St.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-6330
Gr: 6-8 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Cragmont Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
830 Regal Rd.
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 644-8810
Gr: K-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
Martin Luther King Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1781 Rose St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 644-6280
Gr: 6-8 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #99.
Oxford Elementary At West Campus
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1222 University Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 644-6300
Gr: K-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1010.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Wa
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-6310
Gr: K-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1111.
Malcolm X Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1731 Prince St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 644-6313
Gr: K-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1212.
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2840 Ellsworth St.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-6290
Gr: K-5 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1313.
John Muir Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2955 Claremont Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-6410
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1414.
Thousand Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
840 Colusa Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 644-6368
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1515.
Berkeley High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1980 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-6120
Gr: 9-12 | 3,218 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1616.
Longfellow Arts And Technology Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1701 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 644-6360
Gr: 6-8 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1717.
Berkeley Technology Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Wa
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-6159
Gr: 10-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Berkeley Independent Study K-8
Alternative School
2701 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 644-6159
Gr: K-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
Berkeley Special Education Preschool
2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Wa
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-6120

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Berkeley, CA?
How many public schools are located in Berkeley?
19 public schools are located in Berkeley.
What percentage of students in Berkeley go to public school?
77% of all K-12 students in Berkeley are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Berkeley?
Berkeley public schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Berkeley are often viewed compared to one another?

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