Skyline High School
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.I would definitely suggest checking out Skyline-- my anxiety-prone daughter is thriving as a junior there. The campus has a lot of natural beauty-- tons of trees, plenty of grass. The other kids are generally friendly and she found her niche with surprising ease (given how anxious she was at the start); the teachers are supportive. I think the administration is trying to be very intentional about creating smaller communities where kids can be known. My daughter is more into humanities, but there seem to have some good environmental science course offerings.
We have 2 kids at Skyline HIgh School which is one you should consider. It is a gorgeous campus up in the hills, has amazing administration and class offerings and gets overshadowed by Oakland Tech. It is smaller than Tech, has a closed campus (this last year Oakland Tech has had a lot of issues with open campus and non students hanging out across the street and causing a lot of problems). I would just encourage you to do your research and get to know a few OUSD high schools. We had kids at Montera which was a good place for them and our older child wanted to go to Tech bc that is all she heard you had to do. But we were zoned for Skyline and has always been happy, safe and has done very very well and is waiting to hear from public and private schools. The counselors and admins care, reach out when they see your kid may need something. The class selection is really good and i am always impressed on the offerings. I just encourage you to look around and not go off "must go to this school bc...."
We have a child who is a freshman at Skyline. Pluses: as a big school there are a ton of really engaging electives and the various pathways seem pretty good (freshman year is general ed, kids choose a pathway that they start sophomore year). Some of the teachers are outstanding. Dance, drama, and orchestra have been amazing and the teachers for English and Ethnic studies seem pretty dialed in. We've had two teachers out on long term leave (I think this is luck of the draw) and this has been a set back for those two classes. There are busses from all over town that will take your kid right to campus. On the down side, it is a large urban school with a lot of kids who are not focused on academics at all. It has been rough for everyone transitioning back from COVID and our child has struggled with a lot of emotional issues around that (and being a teen). My kid really loves it and would not want to go anywhere else.
My son is finishing up his senior year at Skyline HS in the spring. It has been an overall good experience for him and me. He’s been able to take a variety of challenging classes, including multiple AP’s and dual enrollment college classes. He’s felt generally supported, even more so this year with the college application process. During Covid, Skyline, like all OUSD schools, had its speed bumps with virtual learning, but he was able to get support from his teachers as needed and ended up ok. Electives seem to be standard, nothing over the top. My kid took ceramics and wood shop this year. Socially, they’re teens, and they’re experimenting with drugs and alcohol and focused on their Instagrams like every high schooler in the country. I’m available for more questions if you have them.
I have two children currently attending Skyline. Skyline is our neighborhood school, and both of my children chose not to request Oakland Tech as their first choice, as many of their peers did. They preferred Skyline for two main reasons. The first is that Skyline has 7 periods so that there is an opportunity to have two electives, i.e. a foreign language and an art. And, second, both kids were concerned about academic pressure at Tech. We have known several friends who attended Tech and found themselves on too intense an academic track with hours of homework each night. At Skyline, there are high level academic opportunities, but they have been manageable for my children. For example, my son is taking AP Chemistry this year. Rather than having hours of homework each night, the teacher requires the students to spend 2 hours of non-class time in the classroom each week either at lunch or afterschool so that the students can study together and help each other. To me, this approach embodies the Skyline philosophy of creating a learning community where members are not only looking to excel but to help each other.
There are fabulous programs in the performing arts (we have experience with Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Dance), leadership, JROTC, and sports. In addition there are several academies: Green Academy, Computer Academy, and Education Academy. With Measure N, I think the academy program will be expanding, although I must say my kids enjoy the flexibilty of not being in an academy.
There are many teachers who have gone above and beyond in supporting students. The leadership teacher seems amazing--my kids aren't in leadership, and I can see what a positive influence this teacher and the program have on the campus. I mentioned the AP Chemistry teacher. Last year, my son's math teacher called every student's home to introduce himself. I receive 3 weekly emails from teachers just letting parents know what the plan is for the week. The coaches on the track and cross country teams have amazed me with their devotion to the team, both in terms of athletics, sportsmanship, and bonding. We've definitely been impressed by the attentive teachers and the caring community.
There are always issues at an Oakland public school--we have an interim principal at this point, and 3 out of the 4 assistant principal's are new. But, my children are happy, they feel safe, and they are proud to be at Skyline. There's an unspoken assumption on the part of many that the only good academic high school program in OUSD is at Oakland Tech. We are very satisfied with the academics at Skyline and feel very positive about the community as a whole.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Seeking new reviews of Skyline High
Sept 2015
Our daughter is an 8th grader at Brewer and we're starting our high school research. We've been in public schools since K and would like to remain. Most families we know are having a good experience at Tech but we're not in the catchment area so we need to have some backup plans. I can't find recent information about Skyline. I understand that they've struggled to keep leadership in place. Given the instability of the administration, how is the school environment? Safety? Are teachers good? Is there an active PTSA? Is it possible to get a good well-rounded education there? For what's it worth, our kid is a high-performing student who plays music and would love to do debate, journalism or creative writing in high school. Also, i heard they are trying to get an International Baccalaureate program. Is this true? Any recent reviews would be much appreciated! Thanks! anon
You are wise to make a back up plan. Oakland Tech is over-enrolled and it's getting more and more difficult to get in if you don't live in the catchment area or have a sibling attending. We had always assumed it wouldn't be a problem getting in because everyone in our neighborhood who wanted to go, always got in. This is no longer the case. My 9th grader ended up at Skyline this year - while all of her friends went to Tech. Those 6 months between when notices went out and when she started high school were extremely difficult for our family. She was really sad about not getting to be with her friends.
The good news is, we've been really pleased with Skyline. With the exception of a few hiccups (which are to be expected at any school), my daughter has been really happy and the teachers have been amazing. There are some super dedicated faculty up there doing great work. The new principal will be starting soon and we're excited to see what kind of energy he brings to the school. And yes, I do think they intend to bring an IB program to Skyline High. Definitely give the school a look. Some other newbie Skyline parents and I were talking about it the other day - we think Skyline High is the best kept secret in Oakland. New Titan Family
We are a new 9th grade family to Skyline this year and happy thus far. My son has some great teachers, who are really committed to their students and the school. He is enjoying learning and feels supported. He knew one person in the entire school when he started in Aug. Seven weeks later, he's taken advantage of the opportunities a large comprehensive high school like Skyline offers and is having a great time, he is engaged, he is involved in a sport, he's making friends and enjoying his time at the school. This is not say that Skyline is not without its problems and concerns, but nothing that seems insurmountable. There is a small but active group of parents paying attention and playing an active role in working with the administration and the district to make sure that Skyline continues to grow and move in the positive direction that it is already headed in. The more we can attract involved parents and committed students, the sooner Skyline will be the school everyone is wishing they can get in. Skyline Parent
What is Skyline like?
May 2015
The most recent review about Skyline on BPN is from 2010. Does anyone have any information? I am considering moving from SF to Oakland, and my soon to be entering 9th grade son would be in the district for Skyline. He is a friendly, well behaved kid who likes to make people laugh, and his grades fluctuate, (A/B's when he completes and hands in his assignments, D/F's when he doesnt). He enjoys PE although he's not an athlete, and I would like to him to join a school team. He also likes acting. What is life at the school really like? Any info most appreciated. Thanks, Undecided Mom
I recently had two kids graduate from Skyline High School and I have a third entering this coming Fall 2015. Both of my older kids had enriching experiences at Skyline, each in their own ways. Over the course of 5 years that my kids were there (they're one year apart), they collectively involved themselves in Mock Trial, Lacrosse, Track & Field, Leadership, the Green Academy (both), and AP classes. Through those activities and classes, they made friends with a wide range of students and thereby learned cultural lessons that cannot be learned except first-hand. I believe the cultural knowledge & respect that are cultivated among students and staff to be valuable assets of Skyline. Other valuable assets are the Principal and his administrative & teaching staff: a team of focused and dedicated individuals. I will also say that my family was very pleased with the 9th grade Atlas program, the Green Academy (one of three academies at Skyline), the quality of AP & HP classes.
No student can be involved in everything, though, so I also want to mention the following remarkable offerings at Skyline HS that my kids' friends were involved in:
1. Performing Arts - Drama productions are extremely well-produced; the actors have, in every occasion, risen to remarkable performances; of the two large productions every year one is a musical; with the exception of one, all recent productions are accompanied by live music performed by Skyline's music department. Dance productions stand on their own two feet and are beautifully choreographed; modern and classic styles are taught. Jazz Band is highly acclaimed; hey perform at many local events, including the most recent Mayoral events in Oakland and at Yoshi's; every Spring the Jazz Band travels to Reno to compete in the Reno Jazz Festival, where they have placed very well. Choral & Instrumental Music is gaining strength; Skyline acquired 20 new piano keyboards in fall 2014; choral & instrumental music classes are offered from beginning to advanced. Marching Band takes instrumental performance to parades; qualifies for PE credit!
2. Sports teams - The coaches of the teams are all extremely positive coaches (I really love this); they often pour in time for all sorts of extra sporting events; students do not need prior experience to sign up for a team.
3. Computer Technology Academy - Computer programming and digital film-making! Students have the choice of focusing on programming or on digital film as they progress through the academy courses. Film students write, direct, and produce their own films in various locations on campus as well as in the film and audio recording studio on campus.
4. JROTC - Students learn discipline and develop a sense of pride and loyalty. Lastly, Skyline is a beautiful place to go to high school.'' Happy Skyline Mom
Atlas House at Skyline
March 2010
I heard that Skyline this year instituted an intensive advisory program for freshman called Atlas House. I am wondering how it is going and if it lives up to its promise of ''no student will fall through the cracks.'' Are there any parents of Skyline 9th graders who can report on how it is going? Are the students tracked into advising groups or are the groups pretty mixed as to academic ability, college-oriented, etc? We are battling with our 8th grader who doesn't want to go to Tech, but we have our doubts about whether Skyline can live up to its information night presentation, which was impressive. Skeptical
I've tutored students for the SAT, ACT, and subject tests at both Skyline and Oakland Tech, and have some familiarity with both schools. Each is, as you know, quite large, and it is possible to get a good education at either. It is also possible to ''fall through the cracks'' at either.
The Atlas program at Skyline High is an effort to give students more personalized attention and reduce anonymity. Indeed the Atlas class sizes are somewhat smaller (1-25) than average class size elsewhere in the school. Every group of 100 students has the same 4 teachers, and they share a common preparation period. This arrangement enables teachers to collaborate and focus on studentsC",b" individual needs and their progress or lack of thereof.
A great deal of effort on the part of the entire Skyline community has gone into making Atlas successful, and the Atlas principal has reported that indeed 9th graders are getting higher GPAs this year.
I recommend that you sit in on 9th-grade classes both at Skyline and at Oakland Tech. If you request permission to do so, I believe it will be granted.
One aim of the Atlas program is to assist students with their academic and career planning. I'm especially interested in that, because of my own work as a tutor in helping students prepare for the college board exams. Although there are conscientious counselors at both Skyline and Oakland Tech, both schools could provide better guidance. One of the problems is that there aren't enough counselors for the large number of students at these schools.
Atlas does have an advisory program. These are 25-30 minute segments during which time students engage in a variety of non-academic activities including the development of study skills and citizenship. You can find out more about how the advisories are functioning if you visit the school. Good luck!
Skyline or Oakland Tech for unmotivated student?
Sept 2009
BPN archives on Skyline H.S. are several years old, and that can make a huge difference in the climate of a school. I'd like to hear from parents who currently have students at Skyline or whose children graduated in 2008 and 2009. My daughter is not a disciplined or motivated student, and I fear that she will be able to hide herself in a huge high school like Oakland Tech, and/or align herself with similarly unmotivated kids. She's been in an independent middle school which has been great, because it's small, the teachers know her and most of her classmates come from families that care about education. But the private school route will end for us after 8th grade. It would be great if you were open to talking to me on the phone, in addition to responding to this query. lora
The issues you mention about Skyline and Tech and your daughter not being motivated and hiding herself are interesting. Skyline looks bucolic, Tech does not, but those are surface differences. First of all Skyline is the larger school! Furthermore, I think it is way harder to get "lost" at Tech if you are in the right classes for the following reason: the very first 9th grade classes California Studies is the pre-Paideia "track." So your child will already be in a motivated group. I have seen it carry some naturally unmotivated kids in the current. Further the dominate culture in the Paideia and the Engineering programs are kind of geeky and wonky, but don't tell your kid that! If you take the kids in honors classes in both schools, there are way, way more party types and parties at Skyline. (This is more anecdotal, but it is my experience.) In addition at Skyline the 9th graders classes tend to be more mixed together. So you have some real slackers in the first year classes.
The classic difference between the schools is in the drama department. Skyline has a great program; they do a big musical production. Last year they did West Side Story. It was a very high quality, high school production. (West Side Story is a very hard production at any level and the kids did great job.) On the other hand last year, Tech did a student originated drama. The students in the Advanced Drama Class interviewed all sorts of people from pillars of the community to people on margins of society. Out of that work, they wrote their own play. And were invited to go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland as a result. Both programs at Skyline and Oakland Tech are good; they are just different. Although, your child can get a good education at either school, the problem is at both schools if your child does not get into the honors program, then neither school is a good bet. I can state that unequivocally.
And you know, most kids will come out okay no matter what we do. anon b
The best kept secret about Skyline seems to be the number of good teachers there, spanning all departments. Skyline also has excellent offerings in the Performing Arts: Drama, Dance, Choral and Music. Film making is also offered. I have twin tenth grade boys at Skyline, and it has been a great experience for them. They have participated and taken great joy in the Jazz Band and The Marching Band. Last year, one son was on their new debate team, which won the city championship. This year, he runs cross country. They have had some terrific teachers, some good ones and only one clunker so far. They have had the great fortune to study Mandarin with an outstanding teacher, and take AP World History with another. The school has a marvelous newspaper. This year, we have an excellent interim principal, and (for a change) there will be a timely search for a permanent one for next year. The campus is appealing and relatively safe. My children's friends there do not send up warning flags in my mind, and it seems like they are all busy with homework and sanctioned extracurricular activities. In short, Skyline has breadth and a lot to offer. Karen
Editor note: an additional review was received for Oakland Tech
Skyline for 8th grader coming from private school?
November 2006
Our son is in 8th grade now and has been at a private school since kindergarten. We are considering high school options. I recently heard that the principal at Skyline was leaving or has already to take a job at Lick-Wilmerding. Does anyone have thoughts about how the last few years have been at Skyline (trending up or down?) and whether the change in principal is a concern? Also, there is also a choice system for enrollment I think. Could anyone help describe the differences between Tech and Skyline?
You have a happy choice between two good schools. There is no such thing as a high school that's perfect for everyone, but these two schools are both good for a great many kids, and they both embody what is good about the large comprehensive high school as a life-preparation experience. Some schools have ''souls'' -- I don't mean it in a religious sense, but in a way it IS spiritual. Some schools are places that seem to have a spirit and resilience built in, and both Skyline and Tech are that way. This fall, I had the pleasure of volunteering at both schools within a few days period, and the kids (from the outside) were indistinguishable from each other. Both schools were upbeat and anticipatory about the year ahead, and the kids in both schools seemed pleased with where they were and looking forward to their classes.
The key to flourishing in any large comprehensive school is figuring out ''who you are'' -- where you go when you have a break, who you are getting together with for extracurricular activity. Each school has its own particularly strong programs, so your choice may depend on your student's strongest interests. Skyline has a very strong, mature, and well known performing arts program. But Tech is in the middle of a very exciting rebirth of its performing arts programs with very strong parent support, so if you're interested in music (for example) you might want to go talk to both music teachers. Similarly, both schools have strong athletic programs, but if you're interested in a particular sport, you might talk to both coaches. Same with a Harvard bound kid (both AP government and AP English teachers) or a budding journalist (newspaper advisors) etc. etc. etc. There are obvious differences in the environment -- would your student prefer a wooded hilltop campus or easier access to public transportation, for example.
My boys graduated from Skyline. I am now in a position that lets me ''see inside'' Tech a little, and I'm impressed by the similarities between the two schools. Both will prepare your student to be a good citizen of the 21st century. But if you have a choice, I strongly urge you to visit both schools and try to make an appointment to see teachers in your special interest areas. Also go see performances, games, events, and see where you feel most at home.
And wherever you end up, I really urge you to get involved in parent groups and help support the school with any volunteer time and contributions you can spare. It will make the school better, and your own personal rewards will be great Kathy
Note: a review for Oakland Tech was also received.
October 2005
We are starting to think about high school options and are wondering about our public school option: Skyline HS in Oakland. Are there any small schools-within-a-school like Berkeley High? What about advanced placement classes? Will a very bright child be challenged? Our son is particularly strong in math and science. What about getting into good colleges like Cal or Stanford afterward? What's the social scene? Is it safe? Is there a lot of drug use? Is a smart kid likely to be a target, or socially excluded? worried mom
I just finished 7 years as a Skyline parent, with sons who graduated in 2002 and 2005. No school is the perfect school for all kids, but Skyline was as close to perfect as possible for my sons (both of whom are now in college). Yes, there are ''school within a school'' possibilities -- in Oakland they're called Career Academies. Skyline has 5 -- Performing Arts, Graphic Design & Architecture, Computers, Future Teachers, and Health and Bioscience. Regardless of Academy status, all AP and honors classes are open to everybody who is qualified academically. AP classes are offered in most areas -- Calculus, Chemistry, etc. About 90% of Skyline's graduates go on to college of some kind. Typically, there are a few dozen accepted to UC Berkeley, and many others accepted to other UC campuses. Every year, kids go to the most prestigious schools around the country -- Columbia University seems particularly appealing to Skyline grads, but they go all over the place including Yale, Brown, Cornell, Sarah Lawrence, Cal Poly, on and on and on. Kids who have been highly successful in div! erse urban schools with high level academics (like Skyline or Berkeley High) are very attractive to colleges, and we always have kids who are being fought over by schools, particularly small private liberal arts colleges. Graduates of the performing arts program (with which I'm most familiar) get accepted into very prestigious BFA programs if that's the route they choose. A typical graduating class at Skyline has about 6 million offered in college scholarships & loans. The nice thing about a big diverse comprehensive high school like Skyline is that there's something for everybody -- nobody needs to be without a social group. At ANY high school I always advise kids to get involved in something outside class as soon as possible. My older son (a strong math-science student) got very interested in technical theater and wound up doing a lot of lighting design and stage crew. He took all the honors and AP classes he could, but his social group wound up being more tied in to theater. But Skyline has lots of clubs and so forth (with an annual ''club rush'' event in early October where kids can go around and learn about the different options.) There is definitely a culture of ''smart kids'' and they aren't excluded -- there are a lot of them! Regarding safety... well, kids who don't go looking for trouble don't tend to find it at Skyline. Our friends with kids at Bishop O'Dowd talked a lot about the drinking culture there over the years, but we didn't see as much with at least the kids we knew at Skyline. Drug use, particularly of hard drugs, isn't rampant from what I could tell.
One of the things we really liked about Skyline are the active, involved, passionate, concerned, community-spirited parents. There is a Family Resource Center on campus with a parent coordinator who's there 20 hours a week. Her name is Jean Moore, and you can reach her at skylinefrc [at] yahoo.com. I advise you to go take a look at the school. They will be doing an evening program for potential students around the 1st of December, and they will also be doing daytime campus tours around the same time. If you can't book one that suits your schedule, let me know and I'll take you around myself.
In structure and choices and so forth, I think Berkeley High and Skyline are very similar. Actually, the principal at Skyline used to teach science at Berkeley High, and was dept chair there. BHS will have more choices in classes and teams and so forth because it has about 50% more students (about 3300 at BHS versus about 2200 at Skyline.) Skyline is more racially diverse. Berkeley High has an open campus in a downtown setting and Skyline has a closed campus in a greener, hilltop setting.
I hope this helps. Different kids are different in their learning styles, so different schools suit them to varying degrees, but if a large comprehensive high school is what you're looking for, I heartily recommend Skyline. The best thing about it is that EVERYBODY goes there -- rich kids, poor kids, English language learners, special ed kids, every race, every religion, so Skyline grads have an exposure to the world and a sophistication about other kinds of people that is highly unusual in high school grads. They're nice kids, too -- our kids made lifelong friends there, and so did we!
Kathy
March 2004
Re: Private School Tuition
To the parent assessing the real cost of private school--I am on the other end of your quandry. I have a 13 year old 8th grader and a 17 year old 11th grader. Until this year both my children had gone to private schools since kindergarten. This year we moved our son from Lick- Wilmerding (private)to Skyline High (public) in Oakland because of the cost. Our daughter will be going to Skyline in the fall.
The cost of private school has gone up 4-7% every year. Last year we realized that to keep both of them in private school through high school was going to cost us another $150,000--and that was just for 6 more years of school. We realized that we simply could not blindly keep paying that kind of money; as we need to be concerned about the future.
Part of the decision was based on the fact that I am no longer employed for health reasons, however, I am thrilled to be out of that rat race. Sometimes I bemoan our prior choices, even though I was very happy with the schools we had chosen.
Skyline is working just fine for my educationally exceptional child. It may not be the best academics in the world, but my son is learning many other important things as well--like learning to deal with people who are different than he is.
I think that had we been able to commit to being active parents in public school we could have made it work. I am finding that by paying attention and making myself heard I am able to get our needs met so far. If you want to talk more about these choices, feel free to give me a call. Barbara
January 2003
I'd really appreciate hearing from 1.) students who attend Oakland or Skyline High and 2.) recent alums of these schools, and of course the parents of these two groups re the following questions:
1.) Oakland and Skyline High Students, do you feel safe at your school? I've read many articles in the Montclarion about the need for more police at Skyline's campus. Are there police patrolling Oakland High as well? Why are police needed at these schools?
2.) Alums: Did your high school education prepare you for college coursework? Thanks for your response
I would like to add my voice to those who have written in about Skyline High School. My ninth grader started Skyline this Fall and, in spite of all the media hype, she has been very comfortable there. She's a pretty communicative type, and I've asked her directly if she's felt unsafe or harassed there in any way. Her answer was ''definitely not.'' She added that she likes the feel of the campus, which is very open and scenic (she even commented that she thought it was kept very clean - go figure, given the condition of any facility with that many kids), she's encountered no fighting and she's making new friends. My sense is that the new school administration is taking security at the school very seriously.
The biggest adjustment for my daughter at Skyline really has been on the academic side. It's much more rigorous than middle school, partly because she was placed in a couple of advanced classes, math and biology. Along with her other required classes, she also takes Spanish, and is in the school orchestra. Although she continues to do well academically, adjusting to the amount of homework and studying that was required was tough for her at first, even though she's a very self-motivated student. As far as I can see, Skyline is mostly like any other public high school in that if you're kid is motivated about school, they should do well there. I encourage other parents in the area to give this school a try. Ellen
December 2002
Is Skyline High School a good school? The statistics on the school are not impressive, but wonder if anyone has any first hand experience. I personally feel the private high schools in the area have much more to offer than Skyline. Does anyone have an opinion on the OUSD public high school system? Chris K
Skyline has lots of pluses, but your kid needs to be able to handle a large, complex situation, above all. anon
My son attends Skyline and I am pretty pleased with the high school experience he is having. This year, we have a new principal and largely new assistant principal team that have brought much more credibility, discipline and an academic focus to the school. The campus feels much better than it did last year, and even so, my son's experience last year as a freshman was a good introduction into high school. As with any large urban high school, there are some more complex issues that the students must face, but nothing that they wouldn't face eventually, either in college or in life. If your child has a good level of focus and is motivated, they will be able to get a great education at Skyline. There are numerous academies, which offer more indepth knowledge in a smaller, more intimate setting for students, while allowing them to focus on Health and Bioscience, Performing Arts, Education, Architecture and Graphic Technology and Computer Science. Additionally, there are a large variety of clubs, sports and after school activities. Students have a lot to choose from and explore if that is part of their nature. With the improvement I have seen in four months under this new administration, I have high hopes for Skyline's future. If you want more information about the school, or to visit, contact the 9th grade counselor, Mr. Peter Langhoff at 879-3060 x113. Good Luck with your decision! Lesley
I can really empathize with what you're going through. Our child has ADHD and social anxiety. She was greatly helped by the counselors at King Middle School (North Berkeley), and ended up doing pretty well during her four years at Berkeley High. The Vice-Principal at King made sure that she had a 504 Plan before entering high school. "You'll need it," the VP said, and she was right!
Like you, we could not afford private school, and homeschooling would have, of course, been a disaster. Critical to her success, I believe, was that she was in one of Berkeley High's "small schools" with empathetic teachers. The counselor, Dwayne Byndloss, who managed her 504 Plan, was great, too. High school is less "clique-y" than middle school, and many students thrive there who were somewhat "outcasts" in middle school
So public school can be the right place for your daughter, *provided that you stay on top of her homework assignments* and keep the lines of communication open about her feelings. Arrange for a parent-teacher meeting with each of her teachers at the beginning of the school year. Your daughter can be present for these meetings. For the 504 Plan meetings (one per year), the child is normally not present, until she turns 18, which she *must* be present.
Educate her about how to ask for extra time for exams -- knowing how (and screwing up the courage) to ask can be crucial to success, because ADHD kids really do process information more slowly.
You don't mention where your daughter is receiving therapy. We found a wonderful therapist at the Ann Martin Center in Emeryville, but I just learned that, very sadly, it is closed. However, Children's Hospital Oakland has excellent psychotherapeutic services, and they accept Medi-Cal patients. Her therapists -- both through Children's Hospital and the Ann Martin Center -- all attended her annual 504 Plan meetings. (If your daughter is not seeing a therapist, you should find her one without delay!)
I hope this information helps you somewhat.
P.S. Our child is now a junior in college, and so she survived her teenaged years!
Just so you understand - You won’t have a choice between Skyline and Tech. You are zoned for one or the other. You can call ousd or go on the zoning site and see right now. Tech is a very in demand school. We literally had to move to get our son into it. If you get into one, but hope for the other, you’ll be put on a waitlist, but if his number is higher than about 100 you have very little chance of transferring. And the friends we know who were in that boat, the kids didn’t get admitted until 4-6 weeks after school had started - so the kids were uncomfortable and refused to transfer. (So far, our move has not been worth it, btw. For us, wanting academic rigor for a very bright kid, private would have been a better choice.) I hear Skyline is doing better than Tech during pandemic. We have good friends at almost every HS that “hills” kids go to and the ones that stand out THIS strange year are: Head Royce, St Mary’s - followed by OSA, CPS, Bentley - then Bishop ODowd, then far down the list OUSD Tech and Skyline. I talk to parents at these schools every week, and that list in roughly that order is my sense of parent satisfaction on academics, social emotional and general ability to manage teaching in a pandemic.
In a non pandemic year, I think both Tech and Skyline are good schools for kids who can focus, work hard, and put themselves on a challenging academic track. But there are a TON of kids at both schools - per my own eavesdropping on classes and many comments from close friends - that do not take school seriously at all. What that translates to is - in general classes (not AP, not Paideia), teachers focus on the bottom 50% and bright kids get easy A’s and are not much challenged. It’s a shame.
Just underscoring the previous poster's response--if the kids all want to go to the same school and they are not all zoned for Tech, they should try for Skyline, where non-neighborhood kids are far more likely to get in. Tech and Skyline are different schools in terms of their program offerings and social dynamics, though, so it's worth exploring what the right fit for your daughter might be, not just which school her friends are attending. And if you are zoned for Skyline, I wouldn't fall too hard for Tech--they do take some non-neighbor kids, but the waitlist is long and there are no guarantees. You may want to explore some of OUSD's smaller schools too--Skyline and Tech are the largest in the city and can be overwhelming for kids who are not self-directed. A smaller school like MetWest may be a better fit.