Yu Ming Charter School

1086 Alcatraz Avenue

School District

Alameda County Office of Education
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

charter

School Map for Alameda County Office of Education

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 parent on October 03, 2024

Overall, my experience has been okay, but the energy from some of the staff feels a bit off lately. One frustrating change is that my son and I are now being locked out of the cafeteria in the mornings. We’ve been using the cafeteria for the past two months because my son doesn’t handle loud noises and foul language well. The cafeteria was always a peaceful space for him to enjoy his breakfast quietly while watching his tablet, and I always made sure to clean up after we were done.This week, however, they started locking the doors, forcing us to sit outside where it’s loud, with kids cursing, trash talking, and hitting each other. My son just watches in confusion, and it’s a very uncomfortable situation for him.Another inconvenience is that I used to use a side door to head directly to the bus stop. This door saved me time, but now they’ve told me I’m not allowed to use it anymore, forcing me to walk an extra 6-7 minutes around, which risks me missing the bus.On a positive note, my son’s Panda group teachers, Ms. Yang and Brian, have been wonderful. Ms. Yang, in particular, has made my son feel very comfortable, and I’m happy to see him slowly opening up. I really appreciate the care they’ve shown him.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2023

I really like YuMing school my son really approved his Chinese learning even we are not Chinese speakers. The teachers and all the stuff are very friendly and helpful I really encourage parents to make it as there choice.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2023

We had a terrible experience at this school. Absolutely would not recommend.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2015

We have two daughters who attend Yu Ming Charter School. The teacher and parent community is highly involved in creating the most conducive learning environment for the students. Watching our daughters experience the Mandarin Immersion program (plus Singapore Math) and thrive has been amazing for us. Being bilingual in the US is truly a gift!!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2013

Our daughter started going to Yuming in her kindergarten year and now she has been there more than 2 years. We love the school. The teachers are awesome. We were worried about her English, but it turned out her English is not behind at all. She also enjoyed being with the teachers and other kids. Great parents too, high involvement.
Submitted by other on October 02, 2013

Yu Ming is a great school. Fluency in Chinese will open up so many doors for these students in high school, college, and in their subsequent careers after college. They will be able to effectively communicate with 1.3 billion more people than English-only speakers. The academic curriculum is challenging, engaging, and stimulating. I think students here have an excellent learning environment with great teachers and a wonderful community.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

Yu Ming is truly a great school. My daughter is in 2nd grade and has been there since it first started. The parent community is extremely dedicated to its success, and even with the expected growing pains of a new, unique, charter school we have been thrilled with the opportunity to be part of this school. Most importantly, our daughter loves it and we are excited to send her little sister there next year as well.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

This is a very good school. The school is small which means the teachers can and will give the students more attention and one on one interaction. The school is bilingual which is always a plus for a child's growth
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

The school is more than we expected. We feel like we hit the lottery. The principal and teachers are genuinely interested in our son's education. He is excited about going to school, doing his homework, and practicing his vocabulary.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

My son is in first grade at Yu Ming Charter School and is seriously excited to go to school every single morning! We are an English speaking household with no Mandarin experience before entering Yu Ming and I get goosebumps at hearing how much Mandarin he already speaks. The teaching staff is knowledgeable, supportive and enthusiastic.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

This school has been great for our family. The academics are strong, but just as importantly, we are surrounded by a community of teachers, staff and parents who care deeply about their children's education and well-being. We live in a strong school district, so we were prepared to leave Yu Ming if we thought it was not working out. But my daughter, now in 2nd grade, has been very happy here. We feel extremely lucky to be in this school.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

We are so happy to send our son and daughter to Yu Ming Charter school. They are so happy there.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

We couldn't be happier with the education our children are receiving at Yu Ming. Hard-working staff, dedicated principal, warm parent community -- we feel very fortunate to be here!
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

It has certainly been an exciting start at Yu Ming so far. My daughter just started Kinder this year. My husband and I didn't know exactly what to expect. We have a pretty strong local school district and were prepared to send her there when we got a call that her number came up on the wait list. Our daughter came in knowing a little Mandarin from Pre-K but is now picking up Mandarin at a much faster rate from being immersed every day. Her teacher is great. Very enthusiastic, warm personality, and genuinely wants them to be excited about what they learn. She comes up with fun and creative ways to teach them the curriculum which is so important at the K level. Overall, I am very impressed with the staff and the level of parent involvement at this school. The school is not shy about letting the parents know what they need and the parent community always seems to step up to the plate. We feel very lucky to be part of such a dedicated community and are excited for the journey ahead.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

This is now our second year at Yu Ming where since day one, we have been nothing but pleased. The parent and board communities apply value on all aspects of being involved as well as viewing the teachers as the "stars" of the school. Teacher appreciation is the norm at Yu Ming as in the end, a happy teacher is a successful teacher and of course their students benefit. I believe the immersion philosophy truly does work. My child who in K did not know one character of Mandarin. At the end of K, he could write over 200 traditional characters and hold fluid conversations with native Mandarin speakers, -The Singapore math model that is adopted by the school involves teaching students to learn and master fewer concepts at greater detail each year using a three-step learning process: concrete, pictorial, and abstract and is thought in Mandarin as well. The average of the first ever STAR math scores for Yu Ming students was 476.1 compared with 380 statewide and 393.5 in Alameda County in the 2012 - 2013 school years. Many believe that language immersion is overly progressive yet when you think of the speed of globalization, how can you not prepare your child today to speak Mandarin?
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Yu Ming is the best Mandarin immersion education you can get, and it happens to be a public school too! As with any new school, it has to go through growing pains and is still in the process of identifying the next, hopefully permanent, home in the next year or two, but it's all about the process of getting there. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the staff and parent leaders in all aspects of this difficult process. The great teaching allowed my child to learn English amazingly well, and quickly too, with only 10% of their school day learning English. Anyone who gets in through the lottery system, should consider themselves lucky to have a spot!
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Yu Ming is a wonderful charter school. The facilities are clean and welcoming to both parents and students. The faculty members are not only some of the brightest minds in the Bay Area but kind and loving. I would certainly recommend Yu Ming !! I hope my friends can enter the lottery and have the same awesome opportunity as my son.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2013

My child was lucky enough to have his name drawn in the lottery. At first I was feeling as much sadness about missing our neighborhood school as excitement about Yu Ming. But now, at the back to school night I was inspired by the thoughtful and energetic presentation by his Kindergarten teacher. I don't have other direct experience but it is hard to imagine that other schools have that kind of quality in the K teachers. The parent involvement is amazing - I am constantly getting emails related to the school. It's hard to find time for the homework packet, but I can't complain. I am feeling increasingly exciting about Yu Ming.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We attend Yu Ming and we can't say enough about hoe excellent and dedicated the staff and teachers are. As an African American English only speaker, I am always amazed t how well my first grade daughter already speaks and understands Mandarin. It's a very inviting school and the community is welcoming and supportive.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

My daughter just started in kindergarten and Yu Ming is way exceeding my expectations. There is so much synergy, warmth and intelligence at this school. I love the school building, the school counselor who is focused on social emotional, the principal is fun and smart, the teachers are smiley, organized, warm and well trained. And the parent community is amazing. Can't believe how much is accomplished at this school and a new school to boot. Great communication too.