F-1 Public · California
Alameda Unified School District
The California high school on an island in San Francisco Bay, for those who want the big city a ferry ride away and a mild climate all year round.
- F-1 visa
- High school diploma possible
- From age 15
Alameda fact sheet
Key facts
- Location
- Alameda, California
- Arrival airport
- Oakland (OAK)
- Size (pupils)
- 1,700 per high school
- Climate
- Temperatures from 8 °C to 23.5 °C
- High school diploma possible
- yes
- Semester possible
- no
- Minimum ELTiS
- 246 (old scale)
- Age
- 15 to 17 years old
- School year 2027-2028
- $46,600
- Checked on
- 14 October 2026
A week in Alameda
Monday starts in a freshly restored historic building, Alameda High, with an AP biology or digital film class. In the afternoon it's water polo, badminton or volleyball practice, depending on the season. On Thursday evening the pep band rehearses for Friday's game. At the weekend your host family takes you across the bay: San Francisco is just opposite, Oakland next door. And on Sunday you stroll through the tree-lined Victorian streets of "The Island City", between 8 and 23 °C all year round.
Three things you won't find anywhere else
- A district ranked among the 70 best in California, whose graduates go on to top universities.
- San Francisco across the bay, for weekend outings.
- Water polo, badminton and a ski club in an island town with a mild climate.
Courses, sports and clubs in Alameda
- 40 courses
- 13 sports
- 16 clubs
- Best-stocked subject: Arts (8 courses)
Courses, by subject
Mathematics
- Algebra I-II
- Advanced Algebra II
- Geometry
- Pre-calculus
- Calculus (AP)
- Statistics (AP)
Science
- Biology (AP)
- Principles of chemistry and biotechnology
- Chemistry (AP)
- Environmental science (AP)
- Physics (AP)
- Physiology
Humanities
- Modern world history
- European history (AP)
- United States history (AP)
- American government (AP)
- Economics
- Psychology
- Comparative cultures and geography
English
- English I-IV (AP)
- English language development (ELD)
- Creative writing
- Film as literature
- Journalism
Languages
- French
- Mandarin
- Spanish
Arts
- Visual arts
- Studio art (AP)
- Digital filmmaking
- Multimedia art
- Theatre
- Musical theatre
- Theatre techniques
- Contemporary dance
Options
- Computer science
- Academic support
- Real-world communication
- Computer applications
- Sports medicine
Sports, season by season
Autumn
- American football
- Cross-country
- Cheerleading
- Water polo
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Winter
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Cheerleading
Spring
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Track and field
- Softball
Clubs
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Computer science
- Creative writing circle
- Disney Club
- Theatre
- Film
- Japanese culture and anime
- Key Club
- Mathematics
- Pep band
- Poetry
- Skating
- Skiing
- Unusual sports
- Choir
- Marching band
Alameda compared with other districts
Calculations based on the published prices of the districts on this page that show a package; same prices, same results.
| Package | Price | Rank | Difference from the median |
|---|---|---|---|
| School year 2027-2028 | $46,600 | no. 53 of 59 | 27% above the median ($36,550) |
- Within the same state (California): ranked 13 of 13 districts for the school year.
- Compared with Anaheim: $300 more per year.
- The cheapest district on the list is Newcomb ($23,900): this district costs $22,700 more (95%).
- Within the same state (California), the cheapest is San Luis Coastal ($39,400): this district costs $7,200 more (18%).
Rank: from cheapest (no. 1) to most expensive, among the districts showing a price in the same currency. The median is the price in the middle of the list.
Frequently asked questions about Alameda
How much does the school year cost in Alameda?
$46,600 for the 2027-2028 year. This price includes tuition, the host family and local supervision.
Is Alameda expensive compared with other districts?
Yes, among the most expensive: ranked 53 from cheapest of our 59 districts, 27% above the median price ($36,550). Within the same state (California), it ranks 13 of 13.
Can I go to Alameda for just one semester?
No, Alameda only accepts pupils for the full school year.
Can I earn the American diploma in Alameda?
Yes, the American diploma is possible in Alameda.
How old do I need to be to go to Alameda?
Between 15 and 17 years old.
What level of English do I need for Alameda?
An ELTiS score of 246. The ELTiS is the English test that American high schools ask international students to take.
Which airport do I fly into for Alameda?
Via Oakland airport (OAK).
Sophie knows Alameda as if she lived there.
The district's high schools, sports by season, the town, the climate, things to do at the weekend — and the same for the 58 other districts. Ask her, she compares for you.
Alameda High School, one of the two high schools welcoming pupils, occupies a recently restored historic building. Alameda and Encinal High Schools both have excellent sports and teaching facilities.
Daily life there
On San Francisco Bay, Alameda is a mid-sized town nicknamed "The Island City". Its many parks and recreational spaces make the most of a mild climate. Oakland is next door and San Francisco just across the bay. Alameda is known for its Victorian charm and tree-lined streets; Travel and Leisure ranked it among the ten "coolest suburbs to visit" in the United States.
More districts to explore
- Anaheim Union High School DistrictAnaheim, California
- Antelope Valley School DistrictLancaster, California
- Chaffey Joint Union School DistrictOntario, California
Alameda: does it appeal to you?
Ask for a quote, or put your questions to Sophie: she knows the 59 districts and their conditions.