- Malcolm X Elementary — Grades K–5 · 469 students
- Ruth Acty Elementary — Grades K–5 · 410 students
- Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier — Grades K–5 · 407 students
- Washington Elementary — Grades K–5 · 401 students
- Rosa Parks Environmental Science — Grades K–5 · 393 students
- Sylvia Mendez Elementary — Grades K–5 · 379 students
- Thousand Oaks Elementary — Grades K–5 · 337 students
- John Muir Elementary — Grades K–5 · 293 students
- Cragmont Elementary — Grades K–5 · 290 students
- Emerson Elementary — Grades K–5 · 283 students
- Oxford Elementary at West Campus — Grades K–5 · 254 students
- Martin Luther King Middle — Grades 6–8 · 851 students
- Willard Middle — Grades 6–8 · 596 students
- Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle — Grades 6–8 · 462 students
- Berkeley High — Grades 9–12 · 3,218 students
- Berkeley Technology Academy — Grades 10–12 · 54 students
- Berkeley Independent Study K-8 — Grades K–8 · 19 students
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| Metric | Berkeley Unified School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 17 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,700/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Near average |
About Berkeley Unified School District
Berkeley Unified School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 94720 in Berkeley, California. Serving students from Kindergarten – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 94720. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Berkeley Unified School District runs approximately $15,700 annually, placing it near the California state average of approximately $16,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Berkeley Unified School District is a district of unknown size with multiple schools serving students from Kindergarten – 12th. Contact Berkeley Unified School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Berkeley Unified School District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among California public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because California is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Berkeley Unified School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in California on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 94720 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 94720
Children in zip code 94720 are assigned to Berkeley Unified School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 94720, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Berkeley Unified School District at (510)644-8764 or visit www.berkeleyschools.net. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Berkeley
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Berkeley Unified School District serves zip code 94720, homes in and around zip code 94720 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Berkeley Unified School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 94720.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Berkeley Unified School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 94720 data.