Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) serves approximately 9,300 students across grades K‑12, encompassing ten elementary schools, two middle schools, four high schools, plus adult education and early childhood programs.
AUSD’s mission centers on equity and excellence, committed to fostering inclusive, culturally competent learning environments that prepare all students for college, career, and community success.
Schools Within the District
Elementary Schools
• Amelia Earhart Elementary: Amelia Earhart Elementary, located on Bay Farm Island, serves roughly 573 students in grades K-5. As the largest elementary school in Alameda Unified, Earhart prides itself on cultural and economic diversity, with students speaking many languages at home. The school offers full-day kindergarten, strong academic programs, and enrichment in the arts, music, and science, supported by an active PTA. Families value Earhart’s emphasis on inclusion, equity, and community engagement.
• Bay Farm School: Bay Farm School is a TK-5 public elementary with about 568 students. Recognized as a California Distinguished School and PBIS Platinum Award winner, Bay Farm emphasizes inclusivity and celebrates cultural and learning differences. The school’s mission focuses on preparing students to be compassionate, confident, and engaged citizens. With a strong community presence and award-winning programs, Bay Farm is known as a supportive hub for families on Bay Farm Island.
• Edison Elementary: Edison Elementary serves approximately 475 students in grades K-5 in central Alameda. The school is deeply connected to its surrounding neighborhood near Park Street and Central Avenue. Edison has an active parent community and PTA that fund enrichment programs, technology, and field trips. The school emphasizes a culture of responsibility, inclusion, and preparing students to be well-rounded citizens academically and socially.
• Frank Otis Elementary: Frank Otis Elementary, located on Fillmore Street, serves students in grades K-5. The school’s mission is to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where students thrive academically and socially. Otis emphasizes empathy, cultural literacy, and preparing students to be reflective and active members of their community. Families are drawn to Otis for its strong sense of belonging, academic focus, and commitment to developing the whole child.
• Franklin Elementary: Franklin Elementary is a smaller neighborhood school with about 300 students in grades K-5. Known for its close-knit community, Franklin fosters collaboration between school, home, and families. The school emphasizes leadership, social-emotional growth, and celebrating individual differences. With a vision of preparing students to be lifelong learners and active citizens, Franklin maintains a warm, supportive environment where every child feels valued.
• Love Elementary School: Love Elementary (TK-5) is a public school in the Alameda Unified School District. As a Title I school, Love has a mission focused on equitable outcomes in college and career readiness for its diverse student body. It provides an integrated curriculum, personalized learning opportunities, and an empowering school culture that supports the whole child. In recognition of its performance, Love was awarded the 2025 California Distinguished School honor.
• Maya Lin Elementary is a K-5 public school in Alameda Unified leading a mission that emphasizes 21st-century learning, community involvement, and equity. The school supports students through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), and strong special education and specialist programs. Maya Lin offers family-engagement resources, after-school care, and a varied specialist curriculum including library services.
• Paden Elementary (grades K-5) is a public neighborhood school in Alameda Unified that supports different learning styles, helping students build on their strengths while working through challenges. Recent facility upgrades include renovations for modernization, new windows, exterior improvements, a new PA system, and an outdoor learning center under the district’s Measure I projects.
• Ruby Bridges Elementary is a public TK-5 school in Alameda Unified focused on whole-child learning. Ruby Bridges emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), wellness, and leadership, offering peer-leadership roles, student council, and enrichment and intervention programs to meet diverse student needs.
Middle Schools
• Lincoln Middle School: Lincoln Middle School (grades 6-8) is a public non-charter school in Alameda Unified serving students from a diverse, multicultural community. It aims to meet student needs academically, socially, and physically, and prepares them to be respectful, competent citizens with positive self-image.
• Will C. Wood Middle School: Will C. Wood Middle School is a public traditional middle school (grades 6-8) in Alameda Unified. It operates a STEAM-focused curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), emphasizing hands-on learning and connection among subject areas to support different learning styles. The school also is undergoing modernization: its campus is part of Measure B & other facilities updates to improve classrooms, infrastructure, and student spaces.
High Schools
• Alameda High School: Alameda High School is a public, comprehensive high school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 1874, the current campus houses around 1,800 students. The school emphasizes academic rigor, a strong graduation rate, and a wide variety of extracurricular and athletic programs.
• Encinal High School: Encinal Jr./Sr. High School is a public, progressive middle-and-high school serving grades 6 through 12, located on Alameda’s west end overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The campus sits on about 17 acres and underwent a major renovation completed in spring 2021. That project included new classroom buildings, updated science labs, and enhanced outdoor learning spaces. Encinal’s mission is to foster a dynamic, engaging, and innovative learning environment so that all students become college- and career-ready. It offers a wide curriculum that supports whole-student development, including academics, arts, athletics, and comprehensive student services. For the 2023-2024 school year, Encinal Jr./Sr. High has an enrollment of approximately 1,218 students across grades 6-12, with a student/teacher ratio around 23.4:1.
• Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI): ASTI is a public magnet Early College High School in the Alameda Unified School District, co-located with the College of Alameda. It opened in 2004 through a partnership between AUSD and the Peralta Community College District. During their junior and senior years, students have the opportunity to enroll as full-time community college students, earning several college credits. The school focuses especially on providing resources for students who are under-represented in higher education to attain strong academic preparation.
• Island High School is a public continuation high school (grades 9-12) within the Alameda Unified School District. It serves a smaller student body (≈ 85 students in 2023-24) and offers flexible pathways for students who are behind on credits. The school’s mission is “Every Student is a Graduate and on a Career Path,” and its motto is “Success by Choice”, emphasizing that students who attend Island High are making a choice to catch up, graduate, and prepare for life after high school.
Charter and Alternative Options
• Nea Community Learning Center: is a tuition-free public charter school offering project-based education from Transitional Kindergarten through middle school (TK-8). Opened in 2009, Nea emphasizes engaging projects, a broad curriculum that includes arts, music, electives, and opportunities for leadership and social-emotional development. The school serves around 487 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 20.6:1.
• The Academy of Alameda (TK–8): The Academy of Alameda is a tuition-free public charter school serving Transitional Kindergarten through grade 8. It places a strong emphasis on equity, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and community, with a mission to develop students into life-long learners who navigate the world with integrity.
• Alameda Community Learning Center (ACLC): ACLC is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 6-12, with approximately 360 students enrolled. It offers a creative and rigorous college-prep curriculum. The approach emphasizes student ownership, equity, and community engagement, and it aims to prepare learners well for college.
Alameda Schools Public + Private Schools FAQ:
One of the top reasons families move to Alameda, CA is the quality of its schools. Whether you’re considering Alameda public schools through the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) or exploring Alameda private school options, you’ll find excellent choices for your child’s education. Families are often drawn here not only for the island lifestyle but also because of the strong academics, dedicated teachers, and supportive parent communities that make Alameda schools stand out in the Bay Area.
As local real estate experts, we frequently get questions from families about school boundaries, enrollment, tuition, and whether to choose public or private schools in Alameda. While we can’t provide specific enrollment advice since policies change frequently, we’ve created this FAQ to give you a helpful starting point in your research.
Why are Alameda public schools so sought after?
Alameda public schools are consistently recognized for their strong academics, diverse extracurricular programs, and supportive parent communities. Families are often drawn to Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) schools because of their reputation for well-rounded education, neighborhood involvement, and proximity to the Bay Area’s cultural and academic opportunities.
What makes Alameda public schools so great?
Many of Alameda’s schools receive high marks on state testing, and parents value the smaller, community-focused feel compared to larger Bay Area districts. Beyond academics, Alameda schools emphasize arts, music, STEM programs, and inclusive extracurricular activities, helping students thrive in and out of the classroom.
How long do I need to stay at one school before it becomes my “home school”?
A “home school” is based on the school boundary associated with your residence in Alameda. Typically, once you establish residency, the school connected to your address is considered your designated home school. However, families sometimes request transfers, which are subject to AUSD’s policies and availability.
How do I find information about home schools and boundaries?
School boundary maps and home school assignments are updated regularly by the Alameda Unified School District. Because boundaries and policies can change, we recommend visiting the official AUSD website or contacting the district directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Thinking About Moving to Alameda?
Schools are often the deciding factor for families choosing where to live. Whether you’re drawn to Alameda’s highly regarded public schools or are considering one of the island’s respected private institutions, understanding your options is key to making the best decision for your family.
If you’re exploring a move to Alameda, we’d love to help you navigate neighborhoods, school zones, and housing opportunities that align with your family’s needs. Contact the Kate McCaffrey Group today for local expertise and trusted guidance on buying or selling a home in Alameda.
