Is Laurel Elementary a good school?

Laurel Elementary ranks 3962 nd of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Laurel Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 412 students attended Laurel Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Laurel Elementary?

Students at Laurel Elementary are 33% African American, 29% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 10% Two or more races, 7% White, 2% Pacific Islander.

What schools do graduates of Laurel Elementary attend?

Students who attend Laurel Elementary usually go on to attend: Middle : Bret Harte Middle High : Skyline High

Laurel Elementary

Summary:

Laurel Elementary is a public elementary school in Oakland, California, serving 424 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Oakland Unified School District, which has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Laurel Elementary faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates (65.6% in 2022-2023), consistently below-average test scores compared to the district and state, and a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds (81.6% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch). The school's academic performance has declined over the years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 2,694 out of 5,390 California elementary schools in 2011-2012 to 3,962 out of 5,862 in 2023-2024. When compared to nearby schools within the same district, such as Redwood Heights Elementary, the performance gap is quite significant, with Redwood Heights consistently outperforming Laurel Elementary and the district/state averages in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Laurel Elementary's challenges extend beyond academic performance, with the school's high student-teacher ratio (ranging from 23.3 to 26.5 students per teacher) and varying subgroup performance also contributing to the school's struggles. While English Language Learners and African American students perform relatively better than their peers at the school, male students and Hispanic students lag behind, ranking in the bottom quartile of California elementary schools. Addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism, such as socioeconomic factors and student engagement, could be a crucial step in improving overall student performance at Laurel Elementary.

Detail:

Public K-5

3750 Brown Ave.
Oakland, CA 94619-1406

(510) 879-2131

District: Oakland Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
3962^nd of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $6,001

Students who attend Laurel Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Bret Harte Middle
High:	Skyline High

Student/teacher ratio: 26.5

Number of students: 412

Racial breakdown:

African American:

33.0%

Hispanic:

28.9%

Asian:

18.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 87.6%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Laurel Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Laurel Elementary ranks worse than 67.6% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 17^th among 49 ranked elementary schools in the Oakland Unified School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.48. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Laurel Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (33%), Hispanic (28.9%), Asian (18.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 87.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary is 26.5. 44 elementary schools in the Oakland Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Laurel Elementary employs 15.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Laurel Elementary is $6,001. 32 elementary schools in the Oakland Unified School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Laurel Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Laurel Elementary 3962^nd of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Laurel Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

English Language Learner students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Asian students:

African American students:

Hispanic students:

Oakland Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Oakland Unified 1160^th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Laurel Elementary.

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Your rating for Laurel Elementary?

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Rank History for Laurel Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	37.43	2780^th	4809	42.2%
2005	36.77	2908^th	4822	39.7%
2006	40.44	2700^th	4818	44.0%
2007	46.47	2528^th	5113	50.6%
2008	48.65	2457^th	5113	51.9%
2009	47.49	2634^th	5193	49.3%
2010	55.19	2265^th	5314	57.4%
2011	50.97	2542^nd	5377	52.7%
2012	48.77	2694^th	5390	50.0%
2013	36.99	3529^th	5530	36.2%
2015	35.33	3302^nd	5611	41.2%
2016	24.74	4201^st	5614	25.2%
2017	22.54	4469^th	5692	21.5%
2018	18.78	4784^th	5662	15.5%
2019	22.61	4578^th	5789	20.9%
2022	26.87	4158^th	5883	29.3%
2023	19.00	4957^th	5874	15.6%
2024	29.48	3962^nd	5862	32.4%

See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	24.74	2740^th	3246	15.6%
2019	44.50	1523^rd	3275	53.5%
2022	47.28	1346^th	3311	59.3%
2023	34.41	2214^th	3250	31.9%
2024	66.56	496^th	3160	84.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	22.60	2058^th	2420	15.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	18.82	4553^rd	5084	10.4%
2019	26.65	4118^th	5173	20.4%
2022	29.37	3895^th	5264	26.0%
2023	16.88	4917^th	5374	8.5%
2024	28.70	4069^th	5511	26.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	17.55	4734^th	5413	12.5%
2019	24.67	4252^nd	5492	22.6%
2022	31.65	3604^th	5635	36.0%
2023	26.55	4085^th	5617	27.3%
2024	36.37	3308^th	5605	41.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	25.27	2045^th	2585	20.9%
2022	27.68	1602^nd	2227	28.1%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	21.39	4439^th	5431	18.3%
2019	21.03	4566^th	5510	17.1%
2022	23.44	4377^th	5663	22.7%
2023	12.34	5354^th	5650	5.2%
2024	22.23	4506^th	5636	20.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	11.90	962^nd	1071	10.2%
2019	15.29	1009^th	1149	12.2%
2022	17.71	982^nd	1154	14.9%
2023	9.43	1075^th	1190	9.7%
2024	14.69	1044^th	1203	13.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	29.27	513^th	700	26.7%
2019	35.59	479^th	747	35.9%
2022	35.67	403^rd	663	39.2%
2023	24.89	539^th	662	18.6%
2024	31.52	397^th	593	33.1%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Laurel Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	14.27	4540^th	4830	6.0%
2019	18.78	4457^th	4963	10.2%
2022	28.73	3813^th	5084	25.0%
2023	22.77	4286^th	5098	15.9%
2024	26.10	4017^th	5102	21.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.5)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, August 14, 2018

The test scores don't reflect the hard working students not to mention the teachers and parents. Yes it's low income but these families want what every parents want for their child. A good education! Laurel Elementary is a great school. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Laurel Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	120	204	151	45	0	n/a	n/a	0	520
1989	104	184	176	40	3	n/a	n/a	0	507
1990	90	223	198	32	0	n/a	n/a	0	543
1991	78	236	206	47	0	n/a	n/a	0	567
1992	72	243	218	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	573
1993	65	241	243	48	0	n/a	n/a	0	597
1994	56	220	246	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	560
1995	51	250	246	47	2	n/a	n/a	0	596
1996	51	250	246	47	2	n/a	n/a	0	596
1997	40	255	259	45	3	n/a	n/a	0	602
1998	25	234	238	49	1	n/a	n/a	0	547
1999	24	216	258	45	0	n/a	n/a	2	545
2000	22	199	241	57	0	n/a	n/a	3	522
2001	20	218	243	64	0	n/a	n/a	3	548
2002	17	193	236	67	0	n/a	n/a	3	516
2003	17	193	236	67	0	n/a	n/a	3	516
2004	12	184	201	64	0	n/a	n/a	3	464
2005	13	188	199	62	1	n/a	n/a	2	465
2006	14	180	192	64	0	n/a	n/a	2	452
2007	18	151	187	75	1	n/a	n/a	18	450
2008	10	138	194	69	1	n/a	n/a	0	412
2009	6	145	201	62	1	2	44	0	461
2010	11	133	188	98	1	1	25	0	457
2011	17	156	194	111	1	2	39	0	520
2012	24	174	183	106	1	4	21	0	513
2013	26	186	168	119	1	7	26	0	533
2014	21	206	163	133	1	11	21	0	556
2015	37	211	153	118	2	8	15	0	544
2016	27	208	160	131	0	10	23	0	559
2017	25	191	155	117	0	8	22	0	518
2018	22	191	135	118	1	12	31	0	510
2019	23	164	121	120	1	14	32	0	475
2020	28	157	118	127	0	14	37	0	481
2021	16	152	111	120	0	10	35	0	444
2022	19	153	93	111	0	11	35	1	423
2023	26	132	89	118	0	8	50	1	424
2024	29	136	78	119	0	8	42	0	412

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Laurel Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	520	19.8	26.2	n/a
1989	507	22.6	22.4	n/a
1990	543	21.0	25.8	n/a
1991	567	20.5	27.6	n/a
1992	573	20.8	27.5	49.6
1993	597	24.0	24.9	50.3
1994	560	24.0	23.3	61.6
1995	596	21.4	27.9	61.4
1996	596	21.4	27.9	61.4
1997	602	23.0	26.2	76.1
1998	547	29.1	18.8	78.4
1999	545	27.1	20.1	58.2
2000	522	27.6	18.9	78.8
2001	548	27.0	20.3	75.8
2002	516	26.6	19.4	69.8
2003	516	26.6	19.4	69.8
2004	464	23.8	19.5	75.3
2005	465	24.8	18.8	75.2
2006	452	23.3	19.4	76.4
2007	450	22.8	19.7	81.3
2008	412	24.1	17.1	84.7
2009	461	23.0	19.2	75.9
2010	457	22.6	20.2	75.7
2011	520	n/a	n/a	70.8
2012	513	22.0	23.3	67.1
2013	533	22.0	24.2	77.5
2014	556	21.0	26.4	80.2
2015	544	22.0	24.7	79
2016	559	22.0	25.4	75.3
2017	518	21.0	24.6	74.5
2018	510	20.0	25.5	80.6
2019	475	18.0	26.3	84
2020	481	n/a	n/a	79.2
2021	444	19.0	23.3	79.5
2022	423	18.0	23.5	82.5
2023	424	16.0	26.5	81.6
2024	412	15.5	26.5	87.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Laurel Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	520	19.8	26.2	n/a
1989	507	22.6	22.4	n/a
1990	543	21.0	25.8	n/a
1991	567	20.5	27.6	n/a
1992	573	20.8	27.5	49.6
1993	597	24.0	24.9	50.3
1994	560	24.0	23.3	61.6
1995	596	21.4	27.9	61.4
1996	596	21.4	27.9	61.4
1997	602	23.0	26.2	76.1
1998	547	29.1	18.8	78.4
1999	545	27.1	20.1	58.2
2000	522	27.6	18.9	78.8
2001	548	27.0	20.3	75.8
2002	516	26.6	19.4	69.8
2003	516	26.6	19.4	69.8
2004	464	23.8	19.5	75.3
2005	465	24.8	18.8	75.2
2006	452	23.3	19.4	76.4
2007	450	22.8	19.7	81.3
2008	412	24.1	17.1	84.7
2009	461	23.0	19.2	75.9
2010	457	22.6	20.2	75.7
2011	520	n/a	n/a	70.8
2012	513	22.0	23.3	67.1
2013	533	22.0	24.2	77.5
2014	556	21.0	26.4	80.2
2015	544	22.0	24.7	79
2016	559	22.0	25.4	75.3
2017	518	21.0	24.6	74.5
2018	510	20.0	25.5	80.6
2019	475	18.0	26.3	84
2020	481	n/a	n/a	79.2
2021	444	19.0	23.3	79.5
2022	423	18.0	23.5	82.5
2023	424	16.0	26.5	81.6
2024	412	15.5	26.5	87.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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