Yu Ming Charter School

Yu Ming Charter School Yu Ming Charter School is a non-profit, Mandarin immersion, tuition-free network of K-8 public schools located in Oakland and San Leandro.

It is open to all residents of California. * Highest achieving school in Alameda County in 2019 statewide Math & English testing
* 2019 National Blue Ribbon School (awarded to 30 California schools by the U.S. Dept of Education)
* 2020 California Distinguished School (awarded to 423 elementary schools by the CA Dept of Education)
* Ranked by Niche.com in 2021: #8 public elementary school in Califo

rnia, #10 public middle school in California, #1 public elementary and middle school in Alameda County
* Founded in 2011, Yu Ming is the first Mandarin immersion charter school in California

Two weeks in, and our Dragons have settled nicely into new spaces and communities.They have been learning the rhythms of...
08/26/2026

Two weeks in, and our Dragons have settled nicely into new spaces and communities.

They have been learning the rhythms of our new school year: finding their way through lunch routines, practicing listening skills, making new friends, reconnecting with teachers, and getting plenty of movement.

We’re so glad to have our Dragons back, joined by 168 new Kindergarteners and 60 new TK students. Here’s to the year ahead!

07/24/2026

Our friends at the 1990 Institute are hosting their annual Roots & Wings Youth Symposium on September 19, and we’re excited to help spread the word.

This year's theme, Nurturing Strong Roots, Empowering Bright Futures, echoes Yu Ming's belief that young people thrive when they develop both a strong sense of identity and the skills to navigate the future with confidence.

This year's symposium also introduces new Life Skills and Career Pathfinder sessions.

If you have (or are) a middle or high school student, we encourage you to learn more and register. Early Bird registrations end next week on July 31!

✈️ Wait, that happened this year?!This past spring, our 8th graders (the largest China Study Tour cohort in Yu Ming hist...
06/26/2026

✈️ Wait, that happened this year?!

This past spring, our 8th graders (the largest China Study Tour cohort in Yu Ming history!) completed one of our school's most meaningful traditions.

Over two weeks in Beijing, Yangshuo, and Shanghai, students brought their nine years of Mandarin learning to life. They explored historic landmarks like the Great Wall and Temple of Heaven, attended classes and lived alongside students at Shanghai Pinghe School, experienced traditional cultural arts like woodblock printing and paper umbrella craftsmanship, and joined community service projects in more rural areas.

For many students, the trip was their first opportunity to use Mandarin every day outside the classroom and see themselves as confident, capable global citizens.
Thank you to our remarkable students for representing Yu Ming with curiosity and kindness, and to our dedicated chaperones (Shanshan, Wendy, Andrea, Sharon, and Ryan) for facilitating this unforgettable experience for them.

Wait, that happened this year?! It sure did. Yu Ming earned its second Blue Ribbon Award last fall, and we celebrated th...
06/24/2026

Wait, that happened this year?! It sure did.

Yu Ming earned its second Blue Ribbon Award last fall, and we celebrated this honor throughout the year with students, families, educators, community leaders, and partners.

From Lion Dances and campus celebrations (featured by KTVU, KPIX and KTSF), to a reception (and proclamation!) held by Mayor Barbara Lee and City Councilmember Charlene Wang at Oakland City Hall, to the awards ceremony in Los Angeles with California Superintendent Tony Thurmond, this recognition gave us many opportunities to celebrate the people who make Yu Ming special.

Thank you to our students, families, teachers, staff, alumni, board members, and supporters for making this award possible.

Just before the school year ended, we welcomed back some of our Class of 2020 students for a special school visit and Gr...
06/17/2026

Just before the school year ended, we welcomed back some of our Class of 2020 students for a special school visit and Grad Walk at our upper campus. For our current students, our alumni returned not just as familiar faces, but as examples of the wonderful opportunities that are made possible through perseverance and curiosity.

This fall, they will start their next chapter at colleges and universities including UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, University of Notre Dame, Scripps College, and Tufts University, and study Applied Mathematics, Nursing, Psychology, Social Sciences, and more. Congratulations, Class of 2020!

Congratulations to Yu Ming’s Class of 2026!As our 8th graders crossed the graduation stage a couple of weeks ago, we cel...
06/15/2026

Congratulations to Yu Ming’s Class of 2026!

As our 8th graders crossed the graduation stage a couple of weeks ago, we celebrated nine years of friendship, growth, resilience, and community.

Student speaker Shailen reflected on a quote from one of his favorite TV series: “Whatever you do in this life, it’s not legendary unless your friends are there to see it.” Looking back on his years at Yu Ming, he shared that the moments he remembers most are legendary not because of what happened, but because of the people he experienced them with.

He closed with this note: “In our Tamil culture, we don’t say goodbye. We say Poitu varen, which means ‘go and come back.’”

So to the Class of 2026: we are so proud of you, and of all the milestones we have watched you reach over the years. We can't wait to see where your journeys take you. Go. And come back.

Shout out to photographer and Yu Ming parent Ingrid, from www.jerryyoon.com for capturing these beautiful moments.

Happy summer everyone! The school year may be over, but our Yu Ming community is still showing up strong!Last weekend, Y...
06/11/2026

Happy summer everyone!

The school year may be over, but our Yu Ming community is still showing up strong!

Last weekend, Yu Ming students and families participated in the San Leandro Cherry Festival Parade, continuing a favorite tradition. Our Chinese Yo-Yo performers wowed the crowd, while families proudly represented our school throughout the parade route.

We were honored that San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez stopped by to thank Yu Ming for joining the parade and being part of the vibrant San Leandro community. (pictured with parent leaders Michele and Angie.)

Thank you to all of the students, families, and volunteers who helped make the day such a success, and to the San Leandro Cherry Festival for bringing the community together each year.

As we reflect on AANHPI Heritage Month and the conclusion of our Give In May campaign, we want to thank everyone who sup...
06/09/2026

As we reflect on AANHPI Heritage Month and the conclusion of our Give In May campaign, we want to thank everyone who supported Yu Ming!

Whether you made a gift, shared our message, attended an event, made an introduction, or simply cheered us on, you helped strengthen our community and our mission.

We are grateful for every member of the Yu Ming family and for your belief in a future where students grow up bilingual, culturally grounded, and prepared to lead.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

📣 Only few days left in AANHPI Heritage Month and our Give In May campaign!Help us secure long-term stability for future...
05/29/2026

📣 Only few days left in AANHPI Heritage Month and our Give In May campaign!

Help us secure long-term stability for future generations of Yu Ming students through permanent facilities.

Thanks to a generous $250,000 matching gift from the grandmother of a Yu Ming graduate, every gift will be doubled.

If Yu Ming’s mission and impact matter to you, we hope you’ll join us with a gift.
https://www.giveinmay.org/organization/Yu-Ming-Charter-School

Final week of Give In May - we are so grateful for the momentum our Yu Ming community has created!At Yu Ming, we’re abou...
05/26/2026

Final week of Give In May - we are so grateful for the momentum our Yu Ming community has created!

At Yu Ming, we’re about strong academics, belonging, lifelong friendships, and a community that stays with our students long after they leave our classrooms.

If Yu Ming has been part of your story, or if you believe in what we’re building, help us shape the future for the next generation of students.

✨ Every gift is doubled through our $250,000 match.

Let’s finish AANHPI Heritage Month strong together!

💛 Give today: https://www.giveinmay.org/organization/Yu-Ming-Charter-School

Address

2501 Chestnut Street
Oakland, CA
94607

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 3pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 3pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 3pm
Thursday 8:15am - 3pm
Friday 8:15am - 1pm

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