Alameda Unified School District - Family Buyer Guide to Schools and Boundaries

Nearly all public schools in Alameda fall under Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) - the primary reason families search “Alameda homes with good schools” and “best family neighborhoods in Alameda.” For family buyers, the key is understanding which neighborhood streets feed which elementary, middle, and high schools.

School Types and Counts

• 9 elementary schools (TK/K-5): Amelia Earhart, Bay Farm, Edison, Frank Otis, Franklin, Love, Maya Lin, Paden, and Ruby Bridges
• 2 middle schools (6-8): Lincoln and Will C. Wood
• High schools: Alameda High (9-12), Encinal Junior/Senior High (6-12), Alameda Science and Technology Institute (9-12), and Island High (continuation, 9-12)
• Charter schools: Alameda Community Learning Center (6-12), The Academy of Alameda (K-8), and Nea Community Learning Center (K-12)
• Alameda Adult School and district special education and preschool programs
• Private option: Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School (1011 Chestnut Street)

Family Buyer School Strategy

Families searching “Alameda neighborhoods near top-rated schools” should use AUSD’s official boundary maps rather than relying solely on neighborhood reputation. Boundaries are set by street address, they change over time, and a two-block difference can move a student to a different elementary campus — so treat any neighborhood-to-school shortcut, including the ones on this site, as orientation rather than a guarantee.

Important: AUSD supports open enrollment and transfer requests, so assignment isn’t purely address-locked in every case. Confirm current boundaries and transfer policy with AUSD before making offers.

Neighborhood School Links

Use these neighborhood guides to get a feel for each area, then check the current boundary for the exact address:

• Central Alameda
• West End
• East End
• Gold Coast
• Marina Village
• Harbor Bay / Bay Farm Island
• South Shore
• Downtown / Park Street
• Admiral’s Cove
• Fernside
• Bronze Coast
• Alameda Point

Common Questions:

• “Best schools in Alameda for families?” Ratings vary by campus and by year — check current CAASPP results and GreatSchools scores for the schools on your shortlist, then match them to an address with AUSD’s boundary map.
• “Can I transfer schools in Alameda Unified?” Yes - open enrollment and transfer requests exist, but confirm deadlines and space availability with AUSD directly.
• “Are private schools an option?” Saint Joseph Notre Dame serves grades 9-12 and draws from across the Bay Area.

For ratings beyond district overview, check CAASPP assessment results and GreatSchools.org directly.