- Enrollment
- 3,218
- Students per teacher
- 18:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Berkeley, CA
Emerson Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Emerson Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 060474000436
👥 S:T ratio 19
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 51
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Emerson Elementary earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the California median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most California schools.
- #10 of 12
- elementary schools in Berkeley · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 20.2:1
- students per teacher
- 26.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Emerson Elementary has class sizes near the California median. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Emerson Elementary ranks #10 of 12 elementary schools in Berkeley, CA.
School address
District: Berkeley Unified · California
NCES ID 060474000436 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+12 students YoY
Emerson Elementary held near 282 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+12 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 14.5 → 13.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+12 students YoY 060474000436 · Berkeley, CA Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
283 enr · 20.2:1 · 26.3% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: Berkeley High (3,218 students)
Emerson Elementary held near 282 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+12 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 14.5 → 13.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
Emerson Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Berkeley High
Berkeley High
3,218 students
- Martin Luther 851
Martin Luther King Middle
851 students
- Willard Middle 596
Willard Middle
596 students
- Malcolm X Elem 469
Malcolm X Elementary
469 students
- Longfellow Art 462
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
462 students
- This school 283
Emerson Elementary
283 students
What this shows Emerson Elementary reports 283 students on the CCD universe file.
How Emerson Elementary compares
Emerson Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.2:1 | ▼ 6% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 26.3% | ▼ 53% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 283 | top 76% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.2:1
Leaner classes than 15% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
283
Bigger than 30% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
26.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 53% below the California average of 55.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
20.2:1
students per teacher
- 6% below state mean
Top 36% in California - lower ratio than 64% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
19.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$22,710
per pupil, district-wide
- above California avg of $18,665
Well above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting substantially higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.4 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 45.4%
African American 16.7%
Two or More 15.2%
Hispanic or Latino 14.9%
Asian 7.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: White at 45.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 71.5/100
Simpson diversity index - at 71.5, Emerson Elementary is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
District finance for Berkeley Unified reports $22,710 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Emerson Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley High | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Martin Luther King Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Willard Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Malcolm X Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Emerson Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 851
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 596
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 469
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 462
- Students per teacher
- 12.8:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
Similar elementary schools in Berkeley
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Malcolm X Elementary
Standard public school
469 students 17.4:1 students per teacher
Ruth Acty Elementary
Standard public school
410 students 19.5:1 students per teacher
Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier
Standard public school
407 students 19.4:1 students per teacher
Washington Elementary
Standard public school
401 students 17.4:1 students per teacher
Rosa Parks Environmental Science
Standard public school
393 students 17.9:1 students per teacher
Sylvia Mendez Elementary
Standard public school
379 students 18:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~283 students)
Frequently asked questions about Emerson Elementary
How many students attend Emerson Elementary?
Emerson Elementary has 283 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Berkeley, CA. CCD year-over-year: 270 (2022-23) → 282 (2023-24), nearly flat (+12).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 20.2:1, which is 6% lower than the California average of 21.5:1 and 29% higher than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Emerson Elementary?
26.3% of students at Emerson Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Emerson Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Emerson Elementary is White at 45.4% of enrollment, in Berkeley, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 71.5/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Emerson Elementary?
Emerson Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Emerson Elementary rank among elementary schools in Berkeley?
By Resource Investment Index, Emerson Elementary ranks #10 of 12 elementary schools in Berkeley, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Berkeley on the city page.
What other schools are in Berkeley Unified?
Besides Emerson Elementary, Berkeley Unified also operates Berkeley High (3,218 students), Martin Luther King Middle (851 students), and Willard Middle (596 students). See the Berkeley Unified district page for the complete list.