Claremont Middle School

5750 College Avenue

School District

Oakland Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Oakland Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on June 23, 2022

The teachers are very encouraging and love to make games out of what would otherwise be boring.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2018

Sending our kids to Claremont was a GREAT decision. Both of my kids have honestly loved middle school. They've learned a lot and they've made great friends. They hang around with nearby friends after school and have a lot of independence because of proximity to the school and their social life. They feel loved and known and cared for by the teachers and administrators. My current high school student gets misty when she passes by Claremont. She loved it so much.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2018

I like the vice principal very much. He seems to know every kid's name and story. Unfortunately, the school has made zero effort to accommodate my child's learning needs & my child is begging for a new school. We will not be returning next year.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2015

I love how the school is diverse, in many different was. This is the real world, teachers are willing to help the students. They have a new principal , Mr Mayor is doing a great job.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2015

My son went from St. Paul's to Claremont in the 6th grade. He's now in 7th and LOVES this school. There's a wide range of kids, not the "pretend" diversity of the private schools, and the range of what's "acceptable" behavior for kids is more like real life, some real great and some not so. The teachers, many of them are young and some are newer, seem to really believe in the school and what they're doing. Mr. Mayer, the new principal since last year, is a genuine, thoughtful and exceptional person. We're very happy with our decision, and most of all, our son is thriving there academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2015

My son is 7th grade and loves his school. He said he likes Claremont "way more than Peralta" (his elementary school) which to me seemed like a hard act to follow. He is engaged in his classes and likes all of his teachers. Last year, he started also to blossomed there musically (Jazz Band) and athletically (Cross Country Club and Basketball team lead by the fabulous family of Doubley coaches). I find the instruction and academic level pretty high and love the sense of community at the school. Also the After Spot ( after school program) provides great variety of activities such as Skateboarding (hope Sailing is offered again next year). The school has great leadership , great teachers and great PTA. We are also in the process of planning and building new cafeteria and gym.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2015

Our daughter started 6th grade this year, and she (and we) couldn't be happier. Her teachers are all incredibly engaged, committed, and creative. Although math is her most challenging subject, it is our daughter's favorite class, because of Ms. Thacher. The enrichment programs (zero period Spanish, rock-climbing (on actual rocks in N. Berkeley!), jazz ensemble, theater) are amazing. The student community is diverse and respectful. Highest recommendation!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2015

My son is in sixth grade at Claremont, and he is having a great time there, both academically and socially. His teachers range in experience from veterans to relative newbies, but they are all talented and they share a passion for the job. My older child attended Claremont for the last three years, when there was a lot of transition going on; it's amazing to see how much positive change Principal Mayer and Asst. Principal Coleman have brought about since Aug 2014, in terms of school climate as well as quality of instruction.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2015

Both of our kids are having a great experience this year with challenging teachers working in a team approach to study subjects in greater depth. We highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

Our 6th grade son started this Fall at Claremont, and so far we are having a TERRIFIC experience! We enjoy the smaller school size (around 400 kids) and we love having our former Chabot Elementary principal, Jonathan Mayer, at the helm! The staff are a delight, and Mr Mayer has done an excellent job attracting and managing great teachers. The computer lab is state-of-the-art, there is a new and robust afterschool enrichment program, and overall our son is both challenged and happy!
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

My 7th grader has been excited about so many classes since starting at Claremont in 6th grade. His teachers are great, they challenge the kids, and keep things interesting. We're especially impressed with the science teachers and the computer animation program (which just took 60 kids on a field trip to the Dreamforce convention!), as well as all of the teachers' commitment to holistic learning. And the principle, Jonathan Mayer, is excellent. He's a good communicator, seems to work well with staff and teachers, and gets things done with OUSD. Plus he seems to be in it for the long-term. The after-school program offers an incredible range of classes. The atmosphere of the school is also comfortable and supportive (the front office staff are amazing), and I've seen my son develop into a confident, independent kid who is doing extremely well academically. Best of all, my son is really happy at Claremont.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

I have an 8th grader at Claremont, as well as an older child that graduated from Claremont several years ago. Both of my kids have always had a positive, rich experience, and this year has been the smoothest, calmest start to a year ever. The administrators and teaching staff are hitting the ball out of the park. My child has wonderful friends from every part of Oakland, is doing great academically, and the Claremont community works hard to try make an environment that supports every child at the school. Really, things are going just great!
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2013

My son is a 7th grader this year, and an alum from Chabot. He had a great year last year - straight A's, advanced on the CST's (no drop from Chabot), and made some good friends - thanks to good principals, strong teaching staff, and the good community. This year is going even stronger, except for gym. He really likes the design thinking and making class and the enrichment wheel, both unique to Claremont. His favorite subject is Algebra. Fortunately, the Mr. Richardson's believe in offering math at different levels. Algebra has proven to be very challenging, but he likes a challenge. We are very pleased with Claremont and feel honored to be part of the vibrant Claremont community.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

My daughter is an 8th grader at Claremont and has enjoyed her time here. Not many fellow students from Chabot came to Claremont with her and we did have a bumpy first year with the administration roller coaster ride. However, since the Richardsons came on board last year as co-principals (no more asst. principal) things have really turned around. School culture, academic rigor, increased parent participation, teamwork among the teachers. It hasn't all been because of them, but they have led the entire community to make the changes. My daughter is a high achiever and looking forward to AP classes at Oakland Tech. She feels the majority of her teachers have challenged her to learn what she needs to be a success at the next level. Claremont has students that come from all over OUSD and not just the nearby schools with so much support. It has been inspiring to watch the teachers and administrators accept ALL children into the fold and work to bring them up to a higher level of achievement, not just the kids with parents who are involved. My daughter has enjoyed the extra-curriculars like Math Counts and Running Club. I have enjoyed the engaged parent community.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

My daughters last year tears! When she first began there it was Extremely scary. The assistant principal was great! The teachers were Awesome except her art teacher! Anywho! Now the Co-Principals have made me wish I was in school again. They communicate with Parents and children in a Positive way always. I always hear how we'll my child is doing from teachers,librarian,office staff,nurses and the security guards! I know my child can be a handful she's the baby of the family! However the Claremont Middle School remains so Positive! I help out at the school when I can! The security guards speak to the children as if they were young adults! They know the children names. I feel so Blessed to have them! I never hear them shout! They walk are run lol! To the children and speak to them. I heard one shout as he approach child for safety purpose only! He first called out to the gym teacher. Then he got closer called out the child his shoe laces were all over the place and the child was going to trip. It was so caring. I wish I could take the staff to my child's High School!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

My son is now a seventh grader at Claremont. I have been impressed how the school administration is fostering positive changes at the school. The teaching staff is getting stronger and many of the teachers are phenomenal. Enrollment is up significantly this year as word of Claremont makes its way to the community. The Claremont Principals are loved by many in the community including, teachers, kids and parents. Even though the school is not perfect I feel we are part of a community that is helping this school again become a gem.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2013

I have a 7th grader at Claremont. This has been a great year for him. The new principals are AMAZING! They have been such a positive influence and have provided fantastic leadership. The parent community also amazing and very invovled. The teaching staff is engaged and committed. My son has a wonderful group of friends also and is thriving. If you haven't given Claremont a chance, you really should!
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2013

My 6th grader is having a great year at Claremont! The new principals are awesome, he's made some wonderful new friends, and nearly all of his teachers are terrific. He is challenged, getting good grades, and feels very comfortable at school. None of our initial worries about a public school experience in Oakland have been borne out--in fact, I would say it has been an experience more full of opportunity than I ever imagined. The Claremont community is truly special.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2012

Our son, a sixth grader and Chabot alum, has had a great fall at Claremont. His teachers are hardworking, creative, intelligent, and compassionate. The new co-principals are brilliant in all aspects of their work, and excellent communicators with both students and parents. Our son has had a couple of issues that might fall under the "bullying" category but the principals have handled them beautifully and the problems have been solved in the fullest sense of the word, not just papered over. I am pleased to report that our son been just as enthusiastic, confident, enriched, and comfortable this year as he was at Chabot -- maybe more so. Our anxieties about middle school have all but disappeared in light of the great beginning he's had at Claremont. I look forward to the school's continuing to bloom in the years to come.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2012

We have a a 6th grader and an 8th grader at Claremont. Both kids are happy and thriving. They feel safe and appreciated and they get plenty of individual attention from their teachers. Nearly all of their teachers are exceptional instructors and people, who have very much zeroed in on who my children are and what will make them thrive. Is every single teacher outstanding? No. Show me any school, public, charter or private, where every single teacher is outstanding. But that is by far the exception, not the rule. The new principals have had a wonderful impact on the culture and feel of the school--they know every kid's name, and are extremely committed to the success of Claremont and its students. My children have a greatly heightened cultural, social and community awareness and sensitivity that I directly attribute to attending school with kids from all over Oakland and of many different backgrounds. That is invaluable, in my opinion.