Alameda Unified, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Alameda Unified

Alameda Unified serves kindergarten through twelfth grade across a mid-sized enrollment base in Alameda County. The district includes school communities on Alameda Island and in adjacent Oakland neighborhoods. Testing data is available for elementary and middle grades; a graduation rate was not provided in the available records.

In mathematics, the district's performance spans a range by grade. Early elementary proficiency runs stronger, with most third graders reaching proficiency. The rate declines through the middle grades, dropping noticeably by sixth grade and falling further by eighth grade. English language arts performance is somewhat steadier across the same span, holding above the midpoint through most grades, though it too slopes downward in the upper middle grades. Science proficiency, measured in fifth and eighth grades, sits at slightly better than half in fifth grade and moves below that threshold in eighth. These patterns sketch a trajectory in which students start with stronger grounding in reading and math fundamentals but face a tightening grip of content complexity as they move into middle school.

On the proficiency index that aggregates performance across tested subjects and grades, the district ranks above the midpoint among Alameda County's districts. Chronic absenteeism rates are also above the midpoint, meaning better than typical for the county. Per-pupil spending falls in the middle range, on the lower half, relative to district peers.

The district's student population is diverse. Asian students represent the largest share, followed by white students and Hispanic students. Black students, multiracial students, and other groups are all present. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and on English learner and special education enrollment were not available from the records provided.

Two significant curriculum shifts are underway. In high school mathematics, the district approved a new integrated math pathway in spring 2024 that reorganizes how Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 are taught. According to publicly reported information, this restructuring aims to create more routes to Advanced Placement courses, with an explicit goal of increasing access for underrepresented students. For elementary language arts, the district has been building a literacy framework since 2023 and recommended adopting Benchmark as the new K-5 curriculum starting in the 2026-2027 school year, after piloting multiple options.

Housing in the district's area commands high value, with median home prices substantially above state and national benchmarks. Rental costs are also elevated. The affordability picture reflects the Bay Area real estate environment: monthly housing costs (mortgage or rent) eat into household income at rates well above the typical spread, placing sustained housing access at the forefront of family budgeting for renters and buyers alike.

The schools within Alameda Unified range from small elementary programs to combination junior-senior high schools and a continuation high school serving students on alternative pathways. Parents might look into whether the new math framework has reached their child's grade and school yet, and whether the ELA shift aligns with their elementary student's current experience.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

9,061

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 17%

Black 6%

White 28%

Asian 30%

Two+ 18%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

50%

—

Gr 3

38%

76%

Gr 4

49%

79%

Gr 5

52%

81%

Gr 6

46%

80%

Gr 7

52%

78%

Gr 8

43%

77%

Gr 11

65%

—

Math

Gr ALL

40%

—

Gr 3

49%

86%

Gr 4

51%

80%

Gr 5

41%

74%

Gr 6

33%

68%

Gr 7

40%

71%

Gr 8

32%

64%

Gr 11

35%

—

Science

Gr ALL

32%

—

Gr 5

36%

71%

Gr 8

28%

61%

Gr 11

43%

—

Gr 12

—

Gr HS

36%

—

Gr UG_SEC

43%

—

Schools in this District

16 schools are officially reported under this district.

William G. Paden Elementary

Bay Farm

Alameda High

Amelia Earhart Elementary

Edison Elementary

Encinal Junior/Senior High

Love Elementary

Island High (Continuation)

Lincoln Middle

Frank Otis Elementary

Will C. Wood Middle

Franklin Elementary

Alameda Science and Technology Institute

Ruby Bridges Elementary

Maya Lin

Alameda Unified Special Education

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

73%

Grade 3

69%

Grade 4

61%

Grade 5

56%

Grade 6

59%

Grade 7

53%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

63%

Grade 3

68%

Grade 4

70%

Grade 5

68%

Grade 6

68%

Grade 7

65%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

57%

Grade 5

49%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

65%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$1.11M

Year-over-year change-3.6%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$450K to $1.2M

vs. state typical1.43x

vs. national typical3.01x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
94501	Alameda	$1.2M	-2.8%	70.3%
94502	Alameda	$1.2M	-3.9%	22.1%
94621	Oakland	$450K	-10.1%	7.6%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,827/mo

Year-over-year change+4.0%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$2,477 to $2,865/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
94501	Alameda	$2,865	+4.4%	70.3%
94621	Oakland	$2,477	+1.0%	7.6%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$5,585/mo

Home price / national median income13.2x

Annual rent / national median income40.5%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$2,758/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.