Best Public Schools in Hayward, CA

Hayward, California is served by 41 public schools across multiple districts, including 24 elementary, 5 middle, and 10 high schools, educating approximately 22,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The performance of schools in Hayward varies widely, with clear standouts and several schools facing significant challenges. Top-performing schools include Impact Academy of Arts & Technology and Leadership Public Schools - Hayward, which boast strong graduation rates, low absenteeism, and academic proficiency above state averages. Among elementary schools, Stonebrae Elementary and Southgate Elementary are notable for their solid math and English scores. In contrast, schools like Glassbrook Elementary and Colonial Acres Elementary rank in the bottom percentiles statewide, with very low proficiency rates and high chronic absenteeism.

Key challenges across the area include chronic absenteeism that exceeds the state average in the major districts of Hayward Unified, San Lorenzo Unified, and New Haven Unified, and a systemic weakness in mathematics achievement, with most schools falling below the state proficiency average. Interestingly, higher per-student spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as some of the most expensive schools have the weakest results. Parents should note that while the district average for Hayward Unified is low, there are individual schools within all districts that are achieving strong success for their students.