Berkeley Parents Network: Alameda Elementary Schools

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Alameda Elementary Schools

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Alameda Public Schools > Alameda Elementary Schools

Thinking about moving from Lamorinda to Alameda
More advice from parents

Thinking about moving from Lamorinda to Alameda

August 2005

We are unhappy in Moraga and would like to move to Alameda. I am concerned that I will be doing our two young children a disservice if we move b/c Moraga schools are supposed to be 'the best' which I guess makes Alameda schools 'lesser'. Is there anyone who has made this move, or a similar one? How did it turn out? I don't want to harm my children's future but I can't see spending the next 15 years in a place I dislike. Our older child just finished kindergarten at CP in Moraga and had a great year - but she is very bright and outgoing! and would probably do well anywhere. Still, I have a nagging feeling that I if I were a better parent I would make the sacrifice to stay here and send her to 'the best' schools. anon

I am an Alameda Mom with two young girls. We moved here from Berkeley, and one of our major reasons were that the public schools were so good over here - elementary, that is. I don't know much about middle/high schools here yet... and I can't compare with Moraga, having never lived there. Alameda is a unique and wonderful, family friendly community with so much to offer children. If you have any more specific questions about the area, feel free to contact me. Good luck! ali

I did not make your move from Lamarinda to Alameda. But, I do live in Alameda and know that the schools in the good districts are excellent. Edison, Amelia Earhardt, and Bay Farm are the best elementary schools that feed into Lincoln Middle School, which is the best middle school in the area and then Alameda High School- has mixed reviews- it is a big school with AP classes. If your child might fall into the ''wrong'' crowd it might not be the best but it has a great mix of races. I have also heard that Lamarinda schools are hard for kids to keep up with clothes etc. I know there is pressure in Alameda also, but not as bad as Lamarinda. anon

My son is entering 1st grade at Otis Elementary in Alameda. His kindergarten year there was great.... [See Otis Elementary School for the rest of the review.]

Alameda is a really nice district. I would give you a head's up on the economic polarity of the island. It changes quite a bit from one end to the other, and it seems that I've heard a few things here and there about it not being a very minority friendly place. It has a very small town feel to it and seems to be strongly community oriented.

As for the elementary schools, it depends where you go. If you move to Harbor Bay you'll get Bay Farm and Earhart which are supposed to be the cream of the crop. Bay Farm was like a 10/8 in API and I'm not sure about Earhart. My take on those schools is that they can be competitive, although you will have a very active parent community. I think Bay Farm raises enough money to give each of its teachers 200 in classroom funds each year and fund a great variety of activities. On the main island I've heard really nice things about Otis, Franklin and Edison. They seem to have a very diverse population of kids, well respected teachers who have been there for years, and a nice community focus. The further west you go, the more you will confront ''Oakland Issues'', which I think is a code for the racial stuff I mentioned earlier. Woodstock is a title I school and struggles with test ! scores every year, but I know some teachers there and they are amazing, dedicated and proud of their school.

As far as Middle School goes, I know Lincoln has pretty good academics but the kids can be quite cliquish. I'm aware there are some principal issues (at one point grieved by her staff over the last two years) but I'm not sure if she's still there. Chipman seems to be the ''diamond in the rough''. They're new principal is extremely well respected and has done wonders with the Math and Language Arts programs. There is apparently some District Math trainer who is working with the teachers to raise test scores in Math and better prepare students for Algebra. He also worked with Hayward and did some good things for them. I believe Chipman has really jumped on board and is seeing positive results.

I'm in the dark about High School.

All in all, Alameda is a nice, safe place to live and is a great place to raise kids. It offers a lot more diversity than I imagine Moraga does and is very child centered. It may not have all the bells and whistles that Moraga does but it graduates some very successful people (as any school district will).

I don't think you're being a ''bad parent'' if you choose to move to a place that makes you happy. If you're happy, you're children will be happy. But you'll do what feels right. Go visit the schools, that's the best way to find out.

BTW, I have a friend who is a teacher and lives in Alameda. That's where I'm getting my info!

Good Luck!

Deciding where to live is a personal decision. Both your happiness and your children's education are important considerations. Alameda public schools are more diverse than those in Moraga. If your children were to attend Alameda public schools, they would be more apt to meet kids who did not speak English at home and whose parents had a wide variety of jobs. That adds a lot to a child's educational experience. Two Alameda schools that have great academics are Bay Farm and Edison. There are many others. If you decide to move, you should look into Alameda school attendance zones and student assignment policies. debbie

More advice from parents

Nov 2003

We have had great success with the Alameda schools. Paden provides a developmental approach and the teachers are remarkable. You can apply to have your child attend there. One son is currently at Lincoln and is doing well. Lincoln has a huge nature area along the bay where students learn science. The band program has been great for my son, and the music teacher inspires him daily. My older son had a good experience at Wood Middle School Academy. It is a small school within a school. Currently he attends the Alameda Community Learning Center. Both schools addressed his special needs and are very supportive. Patti

June 2003

Does anyone have information to share about Alameda Public Elementary Schools? Danielle

I taught in Alameda at three of the elementary schools on the island: Bay Farm, Lum, Miller. This was a while ago,1993-97. Miller is right near the base (or what was the base) and its population was 100% naval families. This made for lots of movement mid-year for kids, which was hard. Lum was a good solid middle of the road school - very active pta, good administration, etc. The principal when I was there was Patty Klaus and I believe she is the principal of Franklin School now. I have not taught at Franklin, but I believe it has an excellent reputation and Patty Klaus is great. It has small numbers, too. Bay Farm was also great, lots of excellent programs, lovely facility, very involved families. Paden has an excellent reputation for strong developmental programs, mixed grade levels, and dedicated faculty. All in all, I enjoyed teaching in Alameda and would feel comfortable sending my kids to school in the district (depending on the school, though). AUSD is not as overwhelmingly huge to deal with as Oakland or Berkeley Public Schools seem to be. Melissa

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