2023 Best Schools in Albany

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  88 reviews

Parent: I feel that my child has gained self confidence, self awareness, and self acceptance by attending this school. The diversity of the student body, faculty, and staff is reflective of the world we live in today and creates an environment where all cultures are celebrated. Sure, it is academically challenging; but that is what makes it great. They are developing students to think so that one day they can change our world for the better. By attending College Prep, my child has risen to the occasion and is reaching his full potential . Yes, my child participates in sports here; and they CAN play sports! The 2022 NCS Boys Fall Soccer Championship Division 2 went to CPS. These students are the Champion Pacesetter Scholars: Intelligent and Athletic. No high school is perfect, but in my humble opinion, this one comes pretty close.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: My daughter has had an outstanding high school experience at Head-Royce - I can't imagine a better school for her. I remember thinking, at my initial parent tour, what a remarkably smart, involved, caring, switched on group of adults running this school and inspiring and supporting the kids - this first impression was spot on. The teachers, administrators, deans, advisors, counselors, librarians, etc are superb. The overall vibe of the kids seems great too - lively and fun but also really bright, hardworking and engaged. Go Jayhawks!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lafayette, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  112 reviews

Parent: Overall, very good! My daughter came in last year in 9th grade and while the academics lived up to my expectations and my daughter made great friends, the culture within the administration was deeply disappointing. This had a lot to do with the head of school, whose authoritarian style of leadership caused multiple problems. The new head of school seems to be turning this around by engaging with parents more and asking for feedback from students and teachers. In general, she is a more approachable, positive, and forward-thinking person. She has created a nicer school climate, which is great because there is much to love at Bentley - talented teachers, nice kids, beautiful and modern campus, mini-term experiences, seminars for English and History, very helpful college counseling group, and more! The BPA (parents' group) has done an excellent job this year, rebuilding some of what was lost during the covid years and helping create an involved and connected community.... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 700

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  208 reviews

Sophomore: I have been attending Bishop O'Dowd Highschool for two years now, and safe to say I love it. I am involved in the theater department, have run varsity cross country, joined many and started one club, performed in school-wide events, and enjoyed every moment. O'Dowd's academics have been challenging yet engaging. I never find myself struggling in class with the resources available to me, like tutoring and counseling, and you can tell that the teachers truly care about their profession. The community is supportive and the upperclassmen in leadership positions did a great job of welcoming and hyping everyone up for school! Especially during spirit week! My favorite place on campus is the living lab where students like me get to learn about growing and harvesting produce that is later used in the cafeteria for lunches and sustainable activities like eco club. In conclusion, I'd give my high school a five out of five rating and recommend any rising freshman, or transfer students to apply!... Read 208 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Albany City Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  298 reviews

Senior: Albany high school has an excellent set of teachers in every department that truly care about the subjects they are teaching. The students are typically very satisfied with their teachers and the classroom environments are nurturing and engaging. Although one thing I think that Albany could improve on is helping to lessen the culture of "grades make a person" that is common among the students. Since the school doesn't offer many AP classes, and only allows students to begin taking them in Junior year, many students grasp at as many AP classes that they can within their last two years of schooling which creates overly stressed kids who worry more about getting an A than they do actually learning. I think this overall is the #1 cause of a lot of the mental health issues among students who crack under the pressure to uphold the "perfect student" narrative that is commonly associated with students at Albany High. While this is the case, the school is still exceptional overall.... Read 298 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,182

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Berkeley, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  14 reviews

Senior: The teachers are incredible here! Their enthusiasm and dedication makes you love what they teach even more. I like the small class size I think it is much easier to learn and go to office hours if needed. There's a lot of freedom to create your own clubs and to be apart of school activities. I feel like my voice is heard here and that I can make a change. A lot of students are very supportive and you can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone here. Although we don't have a cafeteria there's plenty of shops nearby. Even though we don't have sports teams you could probably make one and the beginning of the year and the end of the year camping trips + other school activities make up for it. If you're thinking about going here I'd sign up for an open house cause personally I've been the happiest I've ever been (in high school) being here at Maybeck! Not alot of little people have heard about Maybeck but I feel like this school is a little gem.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 110

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Great school, I go there and I love it so much! There are a lot of different things you can do but I love how it also teaches me mandarin and it also is super strong on math and English even though its half Chinese!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 555

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Berkeley, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  233 reviews

Senior: Saint Mary's College High School is an excellent school that has helped me to progress as a person. Ever since touring the school in 8th grade, I fell in love with the campus because it really does feel like a college campus. Now, as a rising senior, I feel that I have grown in my academics, social life, and thinking skills. The teachers are always there for their students and the school itself feels like a welcoming community. They also offer many academic opportunities like A-block, allowing around an hour of time for students to go to different teachers to ask for help, as well as using that time for clubs. Saint Mary's College High School is also very diverse and provides an inclusive community for everyone!... Read 233 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Albany City Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: i love all the teachers there and all of the aids makes you feel like your welcome and have you enjoy your 6 years there its perfect for all student [even with ADHD]... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 494

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Albany City Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 542

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Albany City Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: Its very diverse there but the education could be better. And the living cost is way too high. Good luck.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 840

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Albany, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: My son actually attends Tilden Prep Walnut Creek, but I didn’t see that as an option. The teachers and staff have been absolutely amazing. The teachers are excellent academically and willing to connect on a personal level with their students. This is especially important to kids who have school related trauma. Everyone is very willing to “meet the kids where they are”. My son has become much more confident since attending Tilden and has actually enjoyed going to school.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 75

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Orinda, CA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: We moved to the East Bay from NYC during the pandemic to be close to grandparents. It was challenging for everyone, particularly our children, 16 and 12. We found Orinda Academy, the lovely and healing environment we needed. Our 16-year-old entered in 11th grade, made friends, and excelled academically. OA’s combination of nurture and rigor was just what we needed! The parent community is open and supportive. We also value an environment where teachers, administrators, and the entire school community know and care about our children. Our daughter is now 18 and in college and our younger one, now 14, just entered 9th grade at OA. So far so good! They are making friends and love their teachers. Our second time around and we could not be happier!... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 54

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: We've been here for a few years now. I have been extremely impressed with the teaching. We attended a private French immersion school before this, and I think that academically speaking, this is very similar in terms of the teaching and curriculum, only it's free! I'd also say the student/family community is very warm and diverse in every sense of the word. So we're very glad we made the switch. It is still a growing school and sometimes the systems and processes are a bit messy and disorganized, that I would say is the main downside.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 311

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Albany City Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 428

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  94 reviews

Alum: I really liked the diverse student population, the supportive nature of the students and faculty, and the small classroom environment. Holy Names offers a stellar experience for women in the Bay Area who are looking to focus on academics, develop their leadership skills, and make amazing connections with counselors and teachers. Before coming to Holy Names, I was terrible at math and science. Holy Names empowers women to go into STEM and offers fabulous math and science departments. I would say that my only criticism of the school is that the administration should try to build a connection with a local all-boys school. Girls here don't have a lot of social connections outside of school.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A

• Students 152

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Richmond, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  92 reviews

Alum: I attended Salesian College Preparatory only in my senior year and it was amid the pandemic. My previous school was closed due to lack of funds. To not compare with the old school, Salesian is one of the largest private high schools in Richmond, California. Classrooms are new, huge and well-equipped. Teachers to me are extremely helpful and well-prepared before each lesson/lecture. The whole year was remote but I was able to use provided resources to fulfill homework and extracurriculars. The exterior is nowhere to be complained about. I wish I attended Salesian throughout high school, even before Covid 19 hit.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A

• Students 404

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• San Rafael, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  31 reviews

Works Here: My son recently toured our school and said "I didn't know a place like this existed". He was shocked at how friendly and welcoming everyone is. I have worked here for 8 years, and I am continually amazed at the supportive and inclusive environment. Students are encouraged to be themselves and are able to thrive in small classes with curriculum that is tailored to meet their individual needs. We have the most committed, caring faculty and staff who truly care about each and every student. We are like a small family!... Read 31 reviews

• grade A

• Students 100

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Berkeley Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 242

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: Downtown Charter Academy has taught me not to judge people too quickly based on just one thing. Instead, I was taught to give the person a chance before I judge them. This school has great staff members and will treat you well if you treat them just as well!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 318

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  13 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 13 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  297 reviews

Senior: El Cerrito High is an amazingly diverse school full of students from all backgrounds. Similar to the student population, the teachers cover a wide spectrum of ability. At this school, I have experienced both the best and worst teachers I believe I will ever have. While El Cerrito High's bathrooms are a mess and its school spirit is lacking, it has many notable redeeming qualities. Many people that I know chose to attend this school because of its excellent band program. The band at El Cerrito has won multitudes of awards and has been able to go on many trips around the world to perform at places such as Disneyland, Carnegie Hall, and even locations in Europe. El Cerrito High also has some amazing clubs that are dedicated to a wide variety of purposes, such as tutoring other students struggling in math, helping the community or the environment, and getting students involved in sports. Despite its flaws, there is a lot to love about this school.... Read 297 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,596

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  18 reviews

Niche User: It’s a small private Christian school in town. I enjoy the environment at the school, quiet and peaceful. But since it’s a small school, it doesn’t provide that many activities at school because the small population of the students.... Read 18 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 110

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• El Sobrante, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Sophomore: Because of the small class sizes the teachers really help any student indivisually who needs help. Although the small class sizes allows for one on one between the teacher and student, I still would like more students. I feel like I'm missing out on the high school experience because there are only 30 kids in the whole high school. I also think they should step up their lunch, pizza twice a week, corndogs, bagels and soggy burritos gets old after awhile. Besides that the school is pretty good, since it is so small you form a relationship with almost everyone.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B

• Students 261

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Richmond, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Junior: What I like about my school is that everyone is so understanding and courageous. I love how my school has so many connections to so many things. If we as students have something that we would like to change or something fun that we would like to do for our school the school administrators are so nice and listen to every single thing that we say. Something I would like to change about my school is the lighting in our classrooms. I think that learning should be something you would want to do in a nice a quiet peaceful place not a bright room. I think that putting more sun generated lamps in classrooms would be nice for students at my school and also for teachers. White lights to me raise stress levels and they are very hard to work in especially if you work on a computer in school too. That is just a small thing that I would like to change but other than that everything else at my school is perfectly fine.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B

• Students 521

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1