Welcome to Peralta Elementary School!

Peralta Elementary—Home of the Black Phoebes—is an Arts Demonstration School and longtime community anchor, dating back to its one-room schoolhouse beginnings in 1880. Today, it serves about 350 TK–5th grade students and remains a hub of family involvement, activism, and academic excellence.

Peralta is committed to the arts, academics, and community engagement with a focus on closing the achievement gap and helping every child thrive. The arts are woven throughout the curriculum. Peralta has hosted artists-in-residence and created partnerships with Harvard’s Project Zero, the California College of the Arts, and the de Young Museum to enrich students’ cultural experiences. Our arts and garden based curriculum nutured by our colorful walls and flourishing outdoor spaces has grown to include a strong emphasis on STEM, sustainability, and stewardship.  Through the Caring School Community program, students develop essential social-emotional skills, guided by our Peralta Pride values: “Be Safe, Make Good Choices, and Show Respect.” These elements empower students to become resilient problem-solvers and responsible community members.

From the street, Peralta’s vibrant murals and lush gardens reflect our creativity and diversity. Inside, teachers bring state and district standards to life with enthusiasm and imagination. The school has been recognized for innovation and excellence by both the California State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education, earning honors such as California Distinguished School (2025), California Pivotal Practice School (2022), and National Blue Ribbon School (2011).

With a cozy campus of 13 classrooms, Peralta feels like an extended family. Our after-school program and enrichment classes support working families, while community involvement—rooted in the school’s origins—continues to be central to our identity. From the regular school day to after-school programs and weekend events, Peralta is a vibrant community where students excel academically, socially, and creatively.

Last Updated: 11/18/2025