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Elementary Schools in Berkeley, California

Above Average2024–25 data16 schools · avg 68.3/100

Berkeley, California has 16 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 68.3/100 — 24.6 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Ruth Acty Elementary at 83/100, where 62.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Berkeley schools average 42.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 16 schools, 4 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.0% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
68.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
32.4
51.1 – 83.5
Avg Exceeded %
42.9%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
16.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
16
With Scope Scores

How Berkeley schools compare

Berkeley's 16 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 68.3 — 24.6 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 51.1 to 83.5, a 32.4-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Ruth Acty Elementary with a Scope Score of 83 and 62.7% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: Berkeley schools average 42.9% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in Berkeley averages 16.0%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Berkeley

11 Strong All-Around4 High Ceiling1 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Berkeley ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Ruth Acty Elementary
Berkeley Unified High Ceiling
62.7%Strong
83/100
2Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier
Berkeley Unified High Ceiling
55.5%Strong
78/100
3Willard Middle
Berkeley Unified High Ceiling
50.1%Strong
77/100
4Berkeley High
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
38.3%Strong
75/100
5Rosa Parks Environmental Science
Berkeley Unified High Ceiling
50.7%Strong
73/100
6John Muir Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
45.5%Solid
70/100
7Cragmont Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
46.5%Solid
70/100
8Washington Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
45.7%Solid
69/100
9Emerson Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
50.5%Solid
67/100
10Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
34.4%Solid
66/100
11Oxford Elementary at West Campus
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
45.9%Solid
65/100
12Malcolm X Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
42.2%Solid
64/100
13Martin Luther King Middle
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
40.1%Solid
64/100
14Thousand Oaks Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
39.2%Solid
62/100
15Sylvia Mendez Elementary
Berkeley Unified Strong All-Around
33.0%Solid
59/100
16Berkeley Technology Academy
Berkeley Unified Building Momentum
6.8%Solid
51/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Berkeley

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Berkeley good?
Berkeley's 16 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 68.3/100, which is 24.6 points above the California state average of 43.8. 42.9% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Berkeley?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Berkeley is Ruth Acty Elementary with a Scope Score of 83/100 and 62.7% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Berkeley schools compare to the state average?
Berkeley elementary schools average a Scope Score of 68.3 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (24.6 points above). The exceeded rate averages 42.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 51.1 to 83.5, a 32.4-point spread.
How many schools are in Berkeley?
Berkeley has 16 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.