Moving to Oakland/Berkeley, looking for diverse neighborhood
We are moving to the Oakland Berkeley area in the Summer 2019 with our now 13 year old daughter. We are an interracial (white, Asian and African American) family and so diversity is important both racially and economically. Our daughter is interested in the arts (singing, dancing) as well as sports (Lacrosse). Can anyone recommend areas, neighborhoods and schools we should consider in these cities? Thank you.
Mar 28, 2018
Parent Replies
If you're considering private schools, the sky is the limit. You can live in either Berkeley or Oakland. For girls, Julia Morgan School for Girls is an exceptional private school. If you're considering public schools, there is no "bad" school in Berkeley. Many people agree that the Berkeley schools are all in the spectrum of good to great. Also, Berkeley schools are more integrated which means kids get mixed up, leading to diversity but you may not be going to the school that is a block away from you! Oakland public school system has a wider gap because you get neighborhood preference. A handful of Oakland schools are excellent and many schools struggle. Also, OUSD budget cut is something to consider. OSA is an amazing arts magnet public school, but I'm not sure if you can get in mid-year. If you can swing the budget, Piedmont has excellent school system but there isn't much racial or economic diversity. For high school, Oakland Tech is highly regarded and diverse. I'm not sure where you're moving from, but walkable neighborhoods are incredibly expensive. Hills are not as hotly in demand as flats. If you're ok with Condo/Townhome living or rental but do have means to send your kid to private school and like the suburdan amenities like big box store (Target, Home Depot) and chain restaurants (Chevy's), living in Emeryville is pretty convenient. In Oakland, there are many wonderful neighborhoods. Our favorites in Oakland are Rockdridge, Piedmont Ave. Grand Lake, Lakeshore, Glenview, Dimond, Montclair Village, Lincoln Heights which are all very family friendly and relatively safe. Alameda is another neighborhood that is safe and has good schools. It's not culturally and artistically as exciting as Berkeley or Oakland though.
Berkeley High has diversity, a super strong girls Lacrosse team and incredible dance and music programs.
Berkeley High is still a fantastic school. It's hard to recommend Oakland public schools, although some of their charter schools are doing well. School districts in Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, Danville, and Orinda are very strong (and not very diverse).
Thank you Anon, MkimC adn WatersCarol,
I appreciate all the thoughtful feedback Peter c
You must have a look at Oakland School of the Arts! My stepson goes there. I’m not usually a fan of charter schools, but he is having a great experience both academically and artistically (he is in the visual arts program). You have to apply to get in.
I saw that others have recommended berkeley high. My other stepson only lasted 2 years there before getting his nose broken by a bully and then being suspended and treated like garbage, but your mileage may vary.