Willard Middle

Willard Middle is a highly-regarded public middle school serving 596 students in grades 6-8 within the Berkeley Unified School District, consistently ranking among the top 4% of all schools in California.

The school excels academically, with students significantly outperforming both district and state averages in English, Math, and Science, and it shows a remarkable record of supporting diverse student groups to high achievement. Its trajectory is one of steady improvement, having moved from a 3-star to a consistent 5-star rating over the past decade. Notably, Willard maintains a low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.9%, which is strongly linked to its academic success, and it achieves these outstanding results while utilizing its resources very effectively compared to some neighboring schools.

When compared to other area schools, Willard Middle stands out for its combination of high achievement and service to a diverse student population. It significantly outperforms most schools in the neighboring Oakland Unified district and holds its own against higher-spending schools. While Piedmont Middle has a slightly higher overall rank, Willard achieves similar excellence with a much broader economic diversity among its students. The school's strength is further highlighted by its exceptional science scores and its ability to support student growth through all three middle school grades, distinguishing it from some peers where scores may decline over time.