2024 Best Charter High Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  188 reviews

Alum: University Preparatory Academy charter has help to truly develop me into becoming a young adult. I loved the support that I had throughout all my years at UPA, even thought the pandemic teachers were there looking out for our educational well being and even mental well being. I loved the push for community and friendship that i had developed with other students from UPA of all grades. One thing I would like to see change in UPA, is the flexibility of teachers, it seemed as though most teachers had too much to handle with having to teach serval different subject and yet then some even coach sports, and didn't have time to help students and sometimes office hours would be closed.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 716

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Daly City, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  78 reviews

Junior: As an incoming Senior at the school, I must say the school has changed throughout the years. Starting from freshman year I absolutely loved the admin, classes, culture, and extra curricular. However, after doing a year through zoom and now coming back in person for my junior year, there have been many teachers and faculty that I loved who have left. The school academically is great in my opinion, classes are challenging as they should be and we have lots of time to do work and take college courses. However, I wish we had more classes like art and music, a class where students could creatively express themselves. Athletically, our school has really great basketball, volleyball, track, and baseball programs that have all won some type of title. But, we don't offer sports like football or swimming. About our campus, students have street parking and walk a block or two but it is annoying when you have to deal with the people that live in the area who take majority of the parking.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 459

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Alameda, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: We chose to send our daughter to ACLC based on the recommendations of our friends with kids at the school and our visit to the campus. We love the small class sizes and the accessibility of the teachers and staff, as well as the engagement and involvement of the families - we certainly feel very respected as parents here! Academics are obviously a core focus, but the breadth of extracurriculars (clubs and sports) is amazing for such a small school and was something we were glad not to have to give up by leaving the traditional school district.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Lorenzo, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  319 reviews

Alum: Being a student at KIPP was honestly a great experience for me. This school focuses a lot on your academics and making sure you show your potential of what you can do. I remember being a freshmen and being afraid of high school, but once I was there the support of the staff was great, they really helped you in achieving exellence and ensuring you passed all of your classes. One thing I would like to change is that there should be more extracurricular activities that students could choose from based on their interests.... Read 319 reviews

• grade A

• Students 660

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Concord, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  203 reviews

Senior: My experience at CV was one of the best! I loved every second I got to have there and every memory that came with the school. Each year I was challenged academically to push myself to do more. It made me realize how much I can do and see how far hard work can go. The teachers do their best in making sure every student gets the chance to get a good grade and learn. The teachers are some of the best parts of the school. Getting to go to my classes I knew I would always get the opportunity to learn. I had the privilege of getting a great education at Clayton Valley, and now have the confidence of going to college.... Read 203 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,346

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  155 reviews

Alum: Oakland School for the Arts is an amazing community for young artists, and one I'm super grateful to have been a part of. It's definitely made for artsy kids though, rather than those looking for a lot of academic rigor. There is a lot of academic teacher turnover, but the arts teachers for the most part stay consistent and are truly the glue holding the whole operation together! Despite sort of average stats, I give OSA a high rating because of everything I gained from such an arts-friendly and supportive learning environment. The shift to online arts classes seems to be doing alright.... Read 155 reviews

• grade A

• Students 791

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  159 reviews

Senior: KIPP San Jose Collegiate is a school that has given me all the resources I need to succeed and created a safe environment where I've made friends. I was able to connect with my teachers and feel comfortable among my peers. I had deeply hoped and voiced several times since 8th grade about being able to get into the school in sophomore year because that's where all my friends were and I knew that the school would benefit me from all that I've heard, and I was right. I feel successful, accomplished, and appreciated in this school. The only reason I rated my school four stars is because of rules that I felt were excessive and regulations that are unnecessary. Examples are phones being locked up in pouches while most of us are young adults, poor lunch line management, and general treatment that made me feel like some teachers didn't see us for our age. Nonetheless, this school has made me content with my academic life and gotten to me the point in education that I'm satisfied with.... Read 159 reviews

• grade A

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  123 reviews

Other: During my time at Gateway High School, it was a great tight community among the teachers and students, I believe it also effectively prepared me for college with everything I needed to know about scholarships, student aid, college applications and more.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A

• Students 500

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Union City, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Excellent school with loaded resources and support for students. Do not let the scores published fool you! Many students here are 95%+ percentile, high-performing, advanced learners. If parents are willing to be involved and the sky is the limit. Way better than any private schools my child had attended! This school opens up boundless opportunities for students with helpful and cheerful staff!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 514

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.22 out of 5  208 reviews

Senior: I have gone to AIMS since I was in the 7th grade. I remember being so nervous to start at a new school and make new friends. I could have never imagined that this school would shape me into a whole new person. My experience at AIMS allowed me to join new clubs, make new friends, and learn so much more than I could have ever learned anywhere else. AIMS holds their students to a high standard. Due to the strict expectations for their students, I have somehow adopted those expectations on myself. Even though this is my last year at AIMS, I know that I will always have everything that I have learned and experienced with me for the rest of my life. From the Student Body Government, to Tech-bridge girls. Debate club, and all the sports I played such as volleyball and soccer. Thanks to AIMS being a College Prep Charter School, I have confidence that I have a chance in doing well in college. They have prepared me for everything you would need to be prepared for going into college.... Read 208 reviews

• grade A

• Students 446

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: Great charter school! This is high-level education for free. Highly recommend Summit Tahona School. We were looking for a school with strong academics, with teachers who care about students, and also a school with a friendly environment. We transferred from another public school and my son is happy to be in Tahoma. They do a lot for college and University preparation.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A

• Students 316

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hayward, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  275 reviews

Senior: My freshman year had a good start but once the pandemic hit we started to transition into distance learning so I didn't get much of the "high school experience." I spent my whole sophmore year through distance learing as well, it wasn't too bad though. I had a good connection with my teachers and they were aware that online learning isn't the same as learning inperson so they tried their best to teach. After my junior year many teachers had left and it has been a struggle to find teachers. Now during my senior year the counselors have been a great resource when it came to preparing for college applications and things regarding college.... Read 275 reviews

• grade A

• Students 596

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Redwood City, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  128 reviews

Alum: My overall experience at this charter high school was like watching the continuation of a tv show that started off good but got more and more boring after the second season. Unlike a typical high school, we don't have pep rallies, football, a cafeteria, exams nor finals, or even a proper office. But we do have exactly 18 classrooms, about 400 students, and everyone has about 80 10-question quizzes to complete every year because we don't have exams or finals. This school is meant to prepare students for college, so we get a lot of help throughout the four years of high school. High school drama here isn't too crazy, but because it's such a small building, rumors get around quickly which eventually just gets annoying. Mostly all of the teachers of assistant teachers at this school are very intelligent, young, and passionate about their careers! This to me is great because I noticed it motivated us to achieve our goals and is easy to communicate with them!... Read 128 reviews

• grade A

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.28 out of 5  174 reviews

Senior: At first you know it high school so it might not be where you’re most comfortable in. But gradually it gets better cause of the people you are there with and the teachers also. My experience wasn’t so bad because i met my friend group there. I wouldn’t say it was bad but freshman and my senior year were the best years that i could’ve ever imagined. It was very much blissful. The counselors were so helpful with my college applications and they were there when things got too overwhelming for me….family issues and all that. Little advice: Take some ap classes, don’t be afraid to take some risks, be who you are in high school, find yourself cause a lot of people tend to judge, go to your classes, be nice, ask for help when you need it, ask your teachers and friends questions, DON’T BE SHY….Most importantly have fun…you’ll be out in four year, maybe a year less... Read 174 reviews

• grade A

• Students 453

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Sunnyvale, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  31 reviews

Sophomore: I enjoyed my time at Denali, but unfortunately it had to be closer permanently. I loved the mentor aspect of Denali. The way you have one adult to guide you throughout all four years of high school is really great. I just wish they pushed students more. For example, we don’t have any homework, so they should incorporate more hands on learning during class sessions at the least.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A

• Students 677

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Alameda, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Nea is truly a wonderful school. The small size of the school allows you to get closer to not only your fellow students, but also teachers and administartion. If you want to do something there is always a group of people to support you. The disadvantage is you don't get a lot of the high school expirence unless you truly dedicate yourself to making it happen. Admistartion also works very slowly and is quick to reject your ideas. It's not impossibe it's just a lot of work to get stuff done.(My ideas are biased because the pandemic ruined highschool for me).... Read 44 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Redwood City, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  182 reviews

Junior: I love Everest because it is highly a small school! It gives me the opportunity to reach out to my teachers, getting one on one help, and overall create relationships with them. It is definitely a college prep school where we are surrounded by my technology and playlists that help us independently study on our own. We have a tradition every year where all freshman, sophomore, junior, and seniors go on a camping trip and create community bondings! It is diverse which makes me feel more like at home since I am from East Palo Alto and not Redwood City. They give the best elective classes that are UC Approved, for example, Ethnic Studies, in which a few schools don't really include. I am in my Junior year and had spent the last 2 in a half years has an unweighted GPA of a 4.0. Everest gives all students the opportunity to be in AP classes to give them the challenge of their education. Overall, it is a great school and can't believe I am leaving in less than 2 years!... Read 182 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 322

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hayward, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  214 reviews

Senior: This school is very good, the teachers that work there care about the students. They care not only about their education but also how they are doing in their personal life. All the staff in the school take the time to get to know the students & build relationships with them. This school’s goal is to get their students prepared for college & understand the options that they have. They teach you life lessons that you will need when you finish high school & step into the real world. The relationship that you build at this school will stick with you for a very long time. The community is so strong & close, they really do care for each other. All the staff are very patient & understanding. The teacher’s & their lessons are great & they know that not everyone learns the same which is a really good thing because they provide different strategies. The school has events for students which bring the community closer together & it allows the students to have fun & de-stress.... Read 214 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 826

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: As a senior in a small high school, my experience was unique in several ways. The best part of it was the tight-knit community. In a small school, you get to know everyone, and teachers are often more accessible, creating a supportive environment for learning. On the downside, the limited resources and extracurricular options could be frustrating. We might not have had access to the same variety of clubs, sports, or advanced courses as larger schools. If I could change something, I'd advocate for more diverse course offerings and opportunities for advanced programs. Having a broader range of extracurricular activities would also enhance the overall high school experience, allowing students to explore their interests to the fullest.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 232

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  14 reviews

Senior: The teachers are incredibly invested in student success. Very small school, so you get close to your classmates and teachers. EBIA is hands-on and STEAM-based and has a college preparatory curriculum. The only reason it's getting a four-star and not a five is because they don't have any sports teams and the school events are limited. However, I played varsity soccer at Skyline Highschool, which was fine!... Read 14 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 563

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fremont Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: The pandemic year was a perfect time for us to try COIL. My son had begged me to homeschool him for over a year, and being in the tradition public school classroom was not working for him. I wish I had listened to him earlier. Within one semester at COIL, my son was able to rehabilitate his relationship with learning while building the confidence and the skills to do independent learning. It is amazing thing to see your child thrive again after years of a downward trend. He is actually getting A’s B’s and have favorite subjects that are not recess again. COIL has been a wonderful resource for kids who don’t fit well in a traditional public school setting for various reasons, from being able to advance at one’s own pace at math, extracurricular pursuits, athletics, to medical health reasons. It has helped me to understand my learners and work with them and try different things that would not be possible in a traditional public school setting.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Vallejo, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.37 out of 5  230 reviews

Works Here: This school has had major challenges over the last few years, including issues with their buildings and facilities; however, the new administrative team is skilled, caring, and responsive. The school is much safer and has a much more positive environment than most Vallejo schools. This year, they have repaired all their current buildings, and have plans to build all new buildings over the next 2 years. The staff cares a ton about the students. The school facilitates enrollment in college classes so that students can earn college credit while they are still in high school. The school also pays for the first college application to a university for all seniors. The class sizes are small, and staff know the students well. There are opportunities for students and families to be involved in decision making and just to help around school. Great place to work and send your kids. Highly recommend.... Read 230 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Redwood City, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  81 reviews

Sophomore: My experience has been really good with d.tech. It gives you the space to achieve what you want to and start your own projects/pursue your own interests. However, if you aren't self-directed, d.tech may not be for you because you can just as easily not do anything with the opportunity and waste your time. If you decide not to do anything, a normal high school may be better for you because then at least you will have super hard classes. The classes at d.tech don't have a ton of homework, but everyone is involved in at least 1 community college class, weighted as an AP, a club or two, sports or extracurriculars, and a project of some sort. Because we don't have as much homework, we have the time to pursue other things.... Read 81 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 562

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Contra Costa School of Performing Arts about a year ago and it was a pleasant school to be in. There were many opportunities given to students to perform in their major. The teachers that taught there were very passionate about their work and there were many talented people I got to work with and the whole experience was very enriching. One thing that can be improved is the academic system, it was easy for some students to fall behind easily and the school issued Chromebooks can be too restrictive to the point where finding resources for projects and general learning was rather difficult to come by. Other than that issue, I can definitely say I've enjoyed my time there.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 440

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Junior: In Kipp Navigate I loved the community being very harmonious and the sheer persistence the teachers here have in order for us to learn. The sports program has just gotten into the league so now many talented individuals can now participate in the league, it will encourage more school pride regarding sports.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 356

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1