Bay Area Public School District Overview
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to over 100 public school districts across nine counties. These districts range from small rural systems serving only a few hundred students to large urban systems enrolling more than 20,000.
For families, the structure of a district, its funding base, and its long-term enrollment trends can all affect the quality of education. This guide helps parents understand:
- Types of districts (elementary, high school, unified)
- How school pathways and feeder patterns work
- Key metrics such as funding, per-student spending, and teacher pay
- County-by-county representative examples
How Public Schools Are Organized in the Bay Area
According to the California Department of Education (CDE)，districts fall into three main types:
- Unified School Districts (K–12): One system from kindergarten through high school.
- Elementary School Districts (K–8): Cover K–8; students then feed into a separate high school district.
- High School Districts (9–12): Serve multiple feeder elementary districts.
| District Type | California Total | Bay Area Examples | Notes |
| Unified School Districts (K–12) | 345 | San Francisco USD, Palo Alto USD, Fremont USD | Covers all grade levels, smoother transitions |
| Elementary School Districts (K–8) | 516 | Menlo Park City ESD, Las Lomitas ESD, Burlingame ESD | Common in San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties |
| High School Districts (9–12) | 66 | Sequoia Union HSD, Fremont Union HSD, Tamalpais Union HSD | Serve multiple elementary feeder districts |
The Bay Area has 100+ districts total. Unified districts dominate, especially in larger cities (e.g., San Francisco, Palo Alto, Fremont), while many suburban counties still operate elementary + high school combinations.
Parents can confirm their exact district and school type in the California School Directory.
School Pathways and Advancement
A child’s educational pathway depends on the district structure:
| District Type | Pathway | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unified School Districts (K–12) | Students attend elementary, middle, and high school in the same district with consistent standards and smoother transitions. | San Francisco USD, Palo Alto USD |
| Elementary (K–8) + High School (9–12) | Students complete K–8 locally, then advance into a designated high school district (based on feeder zones). | Menlo Park City ESD, Las Lomitas ESD, Belmont-Redwood Shores ESD → Sequoia Union HSD |
Admission Rules Parents Should Know:
- Most student assignments are based on residential address.
- San Francisco USD (SFUSD) uses a citywide lottery system, officially called the Student Assignment System (SAS), Click to view SFUSD Student Assignment Policy
Parents should always check district or county enrollment websites for feeder pathways.
Representative Districts Across Nine Counties
Below are representative districts across all nine Bay Area counties, with enrollment, funding, spending, and teacher salary information where available.
1. San Francisco County
Funding: ~25% local, ~70% state LCFF, ~5% federal
Spend per student: ~$16.5k–$17k
Teacher pay: ~$79k–$131k
What Parents Should Know: SFUSD is one of the most diverse districts in California, with Lowell HS and Alice Fong Yu K–8 ranked among the state’s best.
Click to view SFUSD fast facts
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) | ~50,000 | Only public school district in the county; offers International Baccalaureate, dual-language immersion, GATE programs, and nationally recognized selective high schools SFUSD holds an ‘A’ rating on Niche and ranks among the leading school districts in California. | Lowell HS, Lincoln HS, Presidio MS, Alice Fong Yu K–8 Lowell HS is consistently ranked among the top high schools in California and nationwide. |
2. Santa Clara County
Funding: Mix of LCFF-funded and “basic aid” (locally funded) districts; property-rich areas such as Palo Alto and Cupertino are basic aid, while larger urban districts rely on LCFF
Spend per student: ~$18,000–$28,000
Teacher pay: ~$70k–$170k
What Parents Should Know: PAUSD consistently ranks as California’s #1 public school district (Niche).
Recommended reading for Santa Clara County: California Edu: Bay Area Top Public High School Districts
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Spend per Student | Teacher Pay | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Unified (SJUSD) | ~25,000 | Largest unified district in the county; diverse programs including dual-immersion, IB, and STEM; locally funded “basic aid” since 2020–21 | ~$18,218 | ~$70k–$117k | San Jose HS, Lincoln HS, Pioneer HS |
| Palo Alto Unified (PAUSD) | ~11,000 | Top-ranked district; strong AP/IB participation, STEM magnet programs, high college matriculation; among the best-funded in California | ~$28,299 | ~$91k–$169k | Palo Alto HS, Gunn HS, JLS Middle |
| Fremont Union High SD (FUHSD) | ~11,000 | High-achieving 9–12 district; STEM/CS focus, top national rankings, strong UC/CSU admissions | ~$27,802 | ~$91k–$169k | Monta Vista HS, Cupertino HS, Lynbrook HS |
| Cupertino Union SD (CUSD, K–8) | ~14,000 | Large, high-performing K–8 district; known for competitive middle schools and diverse student body; strong math & science pathways | ~$16k–$18k (est.) | ~$80k–$120k (est.) | Kennedy MS, Lawson MS, Eaton ES |
3. San Mateo County
Funding: Mix of LCFF-funded and “basic aid” districts; many high-income communities contribute significant local property tax revenues
Spend per student: ~$16,500–$20,000
Teacher pay: ~$78k–$125k
What Parents Should Know: SUHSD regularly appears in the top tiers of Niche’s Bay Area school district rankings, covers communities like Menlo-Atherton and Carlmont HS, with strong local tax support.
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia Union High SD (SUHSD) | ~9,000 | Major high school district serving mid-Peninsula communities; offers AP, IB, and career academies; diverse student body with strong college-prep pathways | Menlo-Atherton HS, Carlmont HS, Sequoia HS, Woodside HS |
| Menlo Park City ESD | ~3,000 | High-performing K–8 district; strong STEM and arts enrichment; dual-language immersion programs | Oak Knoll Elementary, Hillview Middle School |
| Las Lomitas ESD | ~1,200 | Small K–8 district; consistently top-ranked; strong parent involvement and enrichment programs | Las Lomitas Elementary, La Entrada Middle |
| Burlingame ESD | ~3,000 | K–8 district with strong academic outcomes; emphasis on technology integration and project-based learning | Burlingame Intermediate, Lincoln Elementary |
4. Alameda County
Funding: Mix of LCFF-funded and “basic aid” districts; funding sources typically ~25–30% local, ~65–70% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$15,500–$18,000
Teacher pay: ~$72k–$120k
What Parents Should Know: Alameda Unified is featured on Niche’s Bay Area Best School Districts lists (e.g. #18 in Bay Area). Despite high diversity and flagship schools like Oakland Tech, OUSD struggles with budget deficits and declining enrollment.
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Unified (OUSD) | ~34,000 | One of the most diverse districts in California; offers dual-language immersion, International Baccalaureate, visual & performing arts, STEM academies, and linked learning CTE pathways | Oakland Tech, Oakland High, Skyline HS, Montera MS |
| Alameda Unified (AUSD) | ~9,000 | Small-to-mid-size unified district; strong AP and dual-immersion offerings; magnet schools in arts and sciences; consistently above-average graduation rates | Alameda HS, Encinal Jr./Sr. HS, Lincoln MS |
5. Contra Costa County
Funding: ~25–30% local property taxes, ~65–70% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$15,500–$17,500
Teacher pay: ~$72k–$118k
What Parents Should Know: Acalanes Union HSD appears in Niche’s top-ranked districts in the East Bay region (e.g. #6 in Bay Area).
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Diablo USD | ~30,000 | One of the largest East Bay districts; offers STEM academies, visual/performing arts, and International Baccalaureate; diverse student population | Northgate HS, College Park HS, Concord HS |
| West Contra Costa USD (WCCUSD) | ~28,000 | Serves Richmond, El Cerrito, and nearby communities; strong dual-language and International programs; focus on equity & community schools | El Cerrito HS, De Anza HS, Hercules HS |
| Acalanes Union HSD | ~5,500 | High-performing 9–12 district serving affluent suburbs; strong AP participation and college-prep culture; smaller student–teacher ratios | Acalanes HS, Campolindo HS, Miramonte HS |
6. Marin County
Funding: ~30% local property taxes, ~65% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$17,000–$19,000
Teacher pay: ~$75k–$120k
What Parents Should Know: Redwood HS and Tamalpais HS are highly ranked; district benefits from high property-tax base.
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamalpais Union HSD | ~4,000 | High-performing 9–12 district; strong AP and college-prep curriculum; extensive visual & performing arts | Redwood HS, Tamalpais HS, Archie Williams HS |
| Novato USD | ~7,000 | Serves K–12; offers STEM magnet programs, bilingual immersion, and career technical pathways | Novato HS, San Marin HS, Sinaloa MS |
| San Rafael City Schools | ~5,000 | Unified district (K–12); strong dual-language immersion, International Baccalaureate, and arts academies | San Rafael HS, Terra Linda HS, Davidson MS |
| Kentfield SD | ~1,000 | Small K–8 district; consistently high-achieving; strong community engagement and enrichment programs | Bacich Elementary, Kent Middle School |
7. Sonoma County
Funding: ~25–30% local property taxes, ~65–70% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$15,500–$17,000
Teacher pay: ~$70k–$115k
What Parents Should Know: SRCS is the largest district in Sonoma County and serves a broad range of urban and suburban families.
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa City Schools | ~15,000 | Largest district in the county; offers International Baccalaureate, bilingual programs, and specialized academies in arts, STEM, and health sciences | Santa Rosa HS, Montgomery HS |
| Petaluma City Elementary SD | ~2,800 | Focused K–6 system; strong community involvement; dual-immersion and GATE programs | McKinley Elementary, Valley Vista Elementary |
| Petaluma Joint Union HSD | ~5,400 | Serves 7–12 grades; career technical education pathways in engineering, health, and media; multiple AP offerings | Petaluma HS, Casa Grande HS |
8. Napa County
Funding: ~25–30% local property taxes, ~65–70% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$16,000–$17,500
Teacher pay: ~$72k–$118k
What Parents Should Know: Offers strong dual-language and STEM programs; smaller than Bay Area urban districts but diverse in offerings.
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley USD (NVUSD) | ~16,000 | Largest district in the county; offers International Baccalaureate, dual-immersion programs, and career technical education (CTE) pathways in hospitality, wine industry, and health sciences | Napa HS, Vintage HS, Redwood MS |
9. Solano County
Funding: ~25–30% local property taxes, ~65–70% state LCFF, ~5% federal aid
Spend per student: ~$15,000–$16,500
Teacher pay: ~$70k–$115k
What Parents Should Know: Fairfield-Suisun and Vacaville occasionally appear in regional rankings
| District | Enrollment | Highlights / Programs | Representative Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield-Suisun USD | ~20,000 | Largest Solano County district; diverse programs including STEM academies, IB, and arts pathways | Rodriguez HS, Fairfield HS, Green Valley MS |
| Vacaville USD | ~12,500 | Strong community support; academies in engineering & health sciences; GATE and AP pathways | Vacaville HS, Will C. Wood HS, Vaca Peña MS |
| Benicia USD | ~4,500 | Smaller, high-performing; dual-language immersion; strong parent involvement | Benicia HS, Benicia MS, Mary Farmar Elementary |
Key Takeaways for Parents
- Funding varies widely: Wealthier property-tax bases (e.g., Palo Alto, Piedmont) allow higher spending, while urban districts like Oakland and Richmond face budget constraints.
- Governance: All districts are run by elected school boards, but resources and program offerings differ significantly.
- Enrollment shifts: Declining birth rates and high housing costs are reducing student populations, raising the possibility of school consolidations in the future.
For families, this means that choosing a district is not just about academics, but also about access, community values, and long-term stability. By understanding how Bay Area districts are organized, how feeder pathways work, and what each county offers, parents can make informed decisions about their children’s K–12 education.
Recommended Reading
- California 20 Best Private K-12 Schools For 2025–26
- 20 Best Private High Schools in California for 2025–26
- California’s Middle School Science: Integrated vs. Discipline Specific Model Standards
- California Edu: Bay Area Top Public High School Districts
- Bay Area Public School District Overview
About Think Academy
Navigate your child’s educational journey with expert guidance from Think Academy, part of TAL Education Group. We provide valuable educational research and insightful analyses to help parents and students strategically plan for long-term academic growth in K–12 education. Trust Think Academy for authoritative information and resources to ensure informed decisions and successful educational outcomes.
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Sources:California Department of Education (CDE); National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); Ed-Data (California Education Data Partnership); District HR/Board Pages; Niche.com
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