Anna Yates is one lucky Elementary School in Emeryville

And when I say “one lucky school”, I mean that literally.  Anna Yates Elementary School is the only elementary school in Emeryville.  What makes them lucky?  Well there are a lot of successful (and generous) companies here in Emeryville, and these companies have been donating money and time left and right to the Emery Ed Fund.  Since there are only two schools in this district, Anna Yates Elementary School is getting a lot of attention.  I call that a very lucky school!

I keep hearing the news about other schools in the Bay Area that are cutting programs because of all the state funding cuts, but I don’t see that here.  While most schools are cutting, these guys are adding.  You can thank the Emery Ed Fund and all of the support they get from companies like Pixar, Amyris and Novartis (among many others) for that.  Anna Yates Elementary School just had a $7 million plus remodel.  Corporations are really standing behind the two schools and supporting very progressive and leading edge programs.  With their contributions to the Emery Ed Fund, they support grants for teachers, art programs, the Math Science Technology Initiative, summer programs, scholarships, and have their own employees donating volunteer hours at the schools.

Because of all of the generosity (financially and through tons of volunteerism) and the Emery Ed Fund, Anna Yates Elementary School has created a pretty unique and sought after environment for kids.  It’s also part of a small community oriented school district (separate from Oakland) so it has different rules, different programs, and a different teaching culture.  It’s such a happening place (I don’t think I’ve ever said that about an elementary school), and it has turned into quite a neighborhood magnet.

And lucky for OakWalk residents, Anna Yates Elementary School is literally across the street.  It feels pretty good knowing you can walk to the one and only elementary school in Emeryville.  Parents love being so close to their kids, who wouldn’t?  I would have loved to walk my kids to school across the street, instead of driving for miles to get there.   And to top it off, nothing beats knowing your kids are going to a GREAT school right across the street.

Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Article by Stuart Gruendl.  Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.