2019 Best Charter Schools in the San Francisco Bay AreaAbout this List

University Preparatory Academy Charter School

• Public School
• San Jose, CA
• 7-12
• 143

Junior: University Preparatory Academy (UPA) is a great school overall. The courses are challenging and tend towards the liberal arts side, but the school lacks scientific/ mathematical focus, although there are a few select students in each grade who are advanced in this area.

Nonetheless, the school lives up to its name of college preparation through a useful and productive seminar class required for all grades, where students learn about colleges.

The school offers an abundance of club activities, including a Freelancers club, math club, and an interact club. Many students are actively involved in one or more of these clubs, which is an extremely fun experience overall.

The school has spirit weeks around 6-8 times per year, offering creative and unique spirit days, and a school-wide rally at the end of the week.

A large problem the school has is with its sports program. The only sports offered by the school are basketball, volleyball, and cross country.
Read 143 Reviews

• A+

• 593 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bullis Charter School

• Public School
• Los Altos, CA
• K-8
• 6

Parent: Superb.
The school offers great instruction in Math, Science and English. Most kids seem way ahead of syllabus in Math. Kids learn about geography and being environment friendly from an early age.

There are tremendous opportunities for extra curricular activities like Drama, Art, Archery, Lacrosse and cool classes like pottery, comic book writing, reading club, math olympics. The school has a good number of players and fields teams in virtually every sport from basketball, baseball, soccer, etc.

The Bullis community is diverse, friendly and welcoming. Parents choose to be as involved or not-at-all without any expectations.
Read 6 Reviews

• A+

• 744 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Discovery Charter School

• Public School
• San Jose, CA
• K-8
• 8

Parent: Discovery is such an amazing school! My son has definitely come out of his shell and has learned so much! This is his 2nd year there and he loves going to school everyday. Most days he wants to stay longer in the extended care program. The kids get exposed to all sorts of different things such as, cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, Operas & the amazing field trips. I love that all teachers have Collece degrees so they are extremely knowledgeable and professional :)
Read 8 Reviews

• A

• 563 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alameda Community Learning Center

• Alameda City Unified School District, CA
• 6-12
• 15

Senior: ACLC is a school that is heavily focused on independent learning, democracy, and leadership initiative. With its loose structure and "learn-by-doing" model, academics are learner-focused and prepare students for college atmospheres.

Pros:
- Free periods = freedom
- Opportunity to take classes at any Peralta community college
- Leadership role in clubs, school boards, school committees, Leadership (ASB equivalent)
- Access to computers and printers at school
- Unique culture and traditions

Cons:
- Some teachers are very invested in your learning while others are less so
- Technology does not always work (spotty)
- Food, besides parent-made lunches, is mediocre
Read 15 Reviews

• A

• 379 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Yu Ming Charter School

• Public School
• Oakland, CA
• K-8

• A

• 307 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Leadership Public Schools - Hayward

• Hayward Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 237

Junior: Leadership Public Schools - Hayward is a great school! It has helped me prepare for college and has made sure I have had various learning and educational opportunities. However, this school is only known for helping students prepare for college. There is a limited variety of sports and other extra curricular opportunities at this school. This school is not for those who want to play sports in the years that they will spend here. Other schools in the vicinity of Hayward have various competitive sports teams, while Leadership Public Schools - Hayward only offers a limited amount of sports including: Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball and soccer. When I first attended this school, I was assuming they had a swim and cross country team. Unfortunately, after having attended this school for a year, I realized they did not. Although this school is not known for its competitive sports teams, it has a reputation of being the best school in Hayward.
Read 237 Reviews

• A

• 533 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Tierra Linda Middle School

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• 5-8

• A

• 693 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Heather Elementary School

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• K-4

• A

• 432 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Spark Charter School

• Public School
• Sunnyvale, CA
• K-8

• A

• 144 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

White Oaks Elementary School

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• K-4

• A

• 385 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arundel Elementary School

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• K-4

• A

• 527 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Summit Public School - Shasta Campus

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 39

Senior: Though a small campus, the students and teachers are lively and ready to learn and teach. The students are diverse and friendly, and the teachers are wise and committed to their teaching.

The curriculum differs from other high schools. Class time is spent on the projects that test us on how well we can show important skills such as formulating a theme, selecting evidence, and discussion. The content knowledge comes from the Summit Learning Platform, which shows our whole year's worth of work that we study and master on our own. And hey, if you are a star student, you can even take sophomore classes your freshman year!

The Summit schools have the mentorship program, where students are assigned a mentor for all four years. I formed deep friendships under this system. My mentor was someone who I could go to whenever I needed advice, to vent, or just to chat.

I do not regret coming to Shasta. Coming here has actually made me eager to come to school every day!
Read 39 Reviews

• A

• 325 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Everest Public High School

• Sbe - Everest Public High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 159

Junior: I have been given all the academic necessities to succeed in academia. Additionally, the environment promotes a growth mindset and passion for education! I have learned and developed so many skills! I am proud to call myself and Everest snow leopard.
Read 159 Reviews

• A

• 409 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mission Preparatory

• Public School
• San Francisco, CA
• K-8

• A

• 231 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oakland Charter High School

• Oakland Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 134

Senior: The teachers at Oakland Charter High School are strongly dedicated to ensure full mastery under their associated subjects. Teachers genuinely care about their students. Teachers give their undivided attention to ensure success for students. I personally have felt this about the teachers here. Obviously, everything is perfect in the sense that teachers will sometimes fail to convey subject material to students but they won't give up on us. In my experience with the school environment , has always been safe. The school does its best in helping students to engage , build relationships, and preparing us beyond college.
Read 134 Reviews

• A

• 403 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Carlos Charter Learning Center

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• K-8
• 1

Middle School Student: Charter is a very good school with lots of group projects and involvement. They have lots of special activities and programs for children with learning difficulties. Parents are super involved and teachers are committed and ready to provide 1:1 guidance. For children who need advanced studies, the teachers will provide differential learning. The students are super friendly and ready to learn. There is a lot of focus on social emotional learning and teamwork. The administration is kind and helpful. The school applies Project Based Learning and hand-on activities. Students get lots of choice in what they do.

My one problem though, is that in the new campus made of shipping containers, whenever there is motion on the top floor, it makes a really loud sound on the bottom floor. This becomes a real difficulty for students k-2 and in the library. But they are working it out in different ways including doing a fun art project with egg cartons.
Read 1 Review

• A

• 362 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brittan Acres Elementary School

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA
• K-4

• A-

• 417 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Circle of Independent Learning Charter School

• Fremont Unified School District, CA
• K-12
• 26

Parent: Advanced students are allowed to take college classes at community colleges and AP classes online. For club and activities, students can join their home high school in their district. The teachers genuinely care about students and their education.
Read 26 Reviews

• A-

• 304 Students
• 40:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Summit Public School: Rainier

• East Side Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 55

Alum: Summit Rainier is a great school that provides lots of resources and opportunities for students to grow academically and as a person. The mentor program that Summit incorporates was my favorite part of my academic career at Summit Rainier because it allows students to get support in their academic and personal life. Another benefit of attending Summit Rainier was their personalized learning program. This program allowed students to work on any tasks they need to work on and at their own pace. This prepared me for my first year of college, because college students have to be independent and responsible of managing their own time. One thing that Summit Rainier lacks of is sports. The sports program at Summit Rainier is very small and underfunded which takes away from student-athletes that want to excel in both sports and academics. Overall, Summit Rainier is a very academic focused school and offers a lot of support, but is not a school for somebody who is focused on extra activities.
Read 55 Reviews

• A-

• 360 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Academy Of Alameda

• Alameda City Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 3

Parent: We love the diversity of the families. The Academy has a strong teaching staff, safe and caring environment and a strong academic and social emotional program. My kids have had a great experience thus far.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• 502 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Discovery Charter II

• Public School
• San Jose, CA
• K-8
• 2

Parent: This is the best school ever my son used to hate school and now he cherishes every minute of it. Another thing is parents are allowed to be volunteers and see what the teachers are teaching so you don't feel left behind on what your child is learning. This school makes 50% of your child's personallity, it is very good on leadership skills, and I have noticed it has no bullies like there may be an incedent here and there but it isn't beating up hardcore bulling. It also gives your child freedom to learn whatever they want to know. The teachers are very open to what people want to learn and I want to give a shoutout to Ms. Mira and Ms. Eva for this. Finally it makes sure your child has a good attitude like they talk about being a good sport and the students are very friendly. So I dont see why this school is so bad and after all y son has been at this school since the first year of the school 2013.
Read 2 Reviews

• A-

• 444 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Forest Hill Elementary School

• Campbell Union School District, CA
• K-5

• A-

• 631 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Design Tech High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 19

Senior: Design Tech High School is a fairly new public charter school. I started as a freshman back in 2015, now I am a senior and it has just been wonderful being apart of d.techs first years. The community here is so welcoming and creative. Classes spark innovation and you get the opportunity to learn design thinking which is a super helpful problem-solving process. This school was a really fun and interesting experience that had its ups and downs but changed me for the better overall. Go Dragons!
Read 19 Reviews

• A-

• 260 Students
• 30:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oakland School for the Arts

• Oakland Unified School District, CA
• 6-12
• 118

Junior: I have throughly enjoyed my experience at Oakland School for the Arts. The faculty is extremely friendly and outgoing, and the arts programs are incredible I have been at this school since 6th grade, and I would highly reccomend it to any prospective sstudents. In general college prep is pretty ok. If you are looking to pursue your art as a career (or at least in college) you will be well set. However, if you are looking to go into academic areas of study, it may be a little bit harder due to the smaller number of electives. Nevertheless, OSA is a really great school, and the community is amazing! A lot of people are super friendly, and it is easy to make friends and create support systems. The academic support and wellness counseling/therapy resources are also a big plus, and if you end up here, expect to have help whenever it is needed. I hope this helps to influence your decisions. Trust me, OSA is not an opportunity you want to miss out on. Hope to see you on campus!
Read 118 Reviews

• A-

• 745 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Marshall Lane Elementary School

• Campbell Union School District, CA
• K-5
• 1

Alum: The teachers were great and very supportive. Everyone was nice to each other and very friendly. The school really helped me become more open and confident.
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 572 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio