Albany vs Berkeley middle and high schools?

Not too many people have firsthand experiences with both districts, but I can tell you that I have a student at AMS right now and - keep in mind this is the COVID experience and a "normal" year could be different - I feel like it is very academic-heavy and there's pretty high expectations for homework. We are happy enough with the band program for what it is this year; expecting it to be better in a normal year. (Not sure what type of music your daughter is into.) I also have a fifth grader who is artistic (not musical), quirky, and dreamy, and I don't think they would be particularly happy at AMS - that is, it is not tailored to their flavor of student personality - and I don't plan to send them there. Can't speak firsthand to Berkeley schools being same or different, but we have experience in a different public school district and I wouldn't say that it catered to the artistic dreamers either.

You may be interested in Oakland School for the Arts

I have direct experience with BUSD, but only what I've heard from friends for Albany. Berkeley has many students who care about music and the arts. Also because BHS is so large, most students I know find their people. The academics depend on what your student chooses, plenty of AP and IB options. Middle school is middle school. King wasn't great for our student -- not as personal as elementary school, but not the choice of high school. Generally BHS seems to have more room for quirky kids because there are so many social groups and activities. Also, keep in mind that there are many community activities like Contra Costa Civic Theater and Berkeley Rep for students who like the arts, and often that is a good supplement to whatever goes on in school, and provides an alternative friend group.

If your child is musical, how about The Crowden School in Berkeley? My child is very happy there.  

Albany is great if you really like math and believe that STEM is the future. Unfortunately, my English and History-loving student has not been very happy with the district. She has had great teachers and classes in those areas, but the culture does not support them or place much value on them. Math - and taking accelerated math classes - is basically seen a proxy for intelligence and is fostered and encouraged, so students less interested (or with less ability) in such subjects are a bit academically marginalized. I can't speak specifically to the arts, but this has been our experience with a humanities-focused student. I would imagine something similar. 

If you are priced out of Berkeley, you may be priced out of Albany as well, and perhaps El Cerrito too. If you keep searching toward the north, Richmond Annex is zoned for El Cerrito High School and Korematsu middle school. My daughter attended these schools and they are well regarded for music and dance, although at the highest levels it got competitive and stressful. The class sizes were large, although the overall school size was moderate, and hopefully the class size issue has improved. Academics were low pressure, however students who sought greater academic challenge would find it available. An advantage of West Contra Costa schools is that 6th grade is part of elementary school; middle school is only grades 7-8. Although I don't have personal experience with the middle and high schools in Pinole, El Sobrante, and Hercules, I hear they are completely adequate, not academic pressure cookers unless by student choice, and these areas may be more affordable.

Albany has a strong music program including choir, band and orchestra. The high school arts program is pretty sophisticated including advanced, honors and AP art. It offers dance classes and club, but does not offer drama classes which is unfortunate. I believe the students have created an after school drama program for plays and musicals.