These schools were voted the Bay Area’s Best Public or Charter Elementary School for the 2026 Best of Bay Area Parent reader poll. Read the full list of winners here.
East Bay
Gold: Eagle Peak Montessori School. This school serves first through eighth graders in an atmosphere of acceptance, respect and trust. Walnut Creek. eaglepeakmontessori.org.
Peninsula
Gold: Brewer Island Elementary School. Its mission is to empower students to reach their full potential by helping them become confident, curious learners who take ownership of their educational journey. Foster City. brewerisland.smfcsd.net.
Gold: Franklin Elementary School. It strives to give students the knowledge, skills and values they need to become confident, independent and successful life-long learners with a positive impact on their community. Burlingame. franklin.burlingameschools.org.
Silver: North Star Academy. Redwood City. northstar.rcsdk8.net.
Bronze: San Carlos Charter Learning Center. San Carlos. sancarloscharter.org.
San Francisco/Marin
Gold: Garfield Elementary School. It offers a Cantonese dual-immersion pathway, and its general education approach strives to foster critical thinking, authentic learning experiences and a growth mindset. San Francisco. garfieldelementarysf.org.
Silver: Alamo Elementary School. San Francisco. sfusd.edu/school/alamo-elementary-school.
Silicon Valley
Gold: Millbrook Elementary. With a focus on student success for over 40 years, this school offers personalized academic support to every student. San Jose. millbrook.eesd.org.
Silver: Hammer Montessori Elementary. San Jose. hammer.sjusd.org.
Bronze: Discovery Charter School Phoenix Campus. San Jose. phx.discoveryk8.org.
