Schedule
Peralta's school day starts at 8:30am, and ends at 2:45pm on most days. On "Minimum Days", every Wednesday and a few other days through the year, school ends at 1:30pm (with after-care starting earlier); check the school calendar for upcoming Minimum Days. Please do not leave your child at Peralta before 8:20am.
Morning Drop Off
Peralta families who can walk, take transit, bike, or roll to school are encouraged to do so. Bike racks are available inside the locked gates by Portable A. All children who arrive by car should be dropped off at the Dana Street entrance to the school. The drop off zone is staffed by Coach D and student members of safety patrol. Please drive slowly. Please do not double park, not even "just for a minute,” and please do not block the driveways of our Peralta neighbors. See this map and flyer for full instructions. Thinking about transit? Make sure to get your child a youth clipper card, so you can take advantage of the discounted youth and clipper rates! Thinking about using a cargo bike or tag along to ride your child to school? Many Peralta parents do and would love to talk to you about it (just ask) and join the “Biking Friends” social group on Konstella.
School Meals
School meals are FREE for all students. View the weekly menu: OUSD Food Services
The actual menu can vary from the published menu, so make sure your child knows they may be getting something different than what is listed. Students are also welcome to bring lunch from home. For the 2025-26 school year, breakfast will be available for students in the classroom. After school snack is provided for all students enrolled in the P.E.A.C.E program (it’s listed as supper on the OUSD menu).
Lunch Schedule
Peralta’s Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) serves double duty as our school cafeteria. Students walk with their class to the MPR to pick up lunch. Lunchtime is followed by a short recess. Lunch is staggered by grade level:
TK & Kindergarten eat from 11:30 - 11:50 and play until 12:10.
1st & 2nd Graders eat from 11:50 - 12:10 and play until 12:30.
3rd - 5th Graders eat from 12:10 - 12:30 and play until 12:50.
Curriculum
As an Oakland public school, Peralta’s curriculum framework is based on state standards and district-wide core programs — which our talented and creative teachers adapt to the needs of their students. As an Alameda County Arts Anchor School, Peralta’s teachers and specialists strive to integrate the arts into all aspects of the curriculum. Peralta also pioneered Second Step, a social skills and conflict resolution program now required at all Oakland public schools.
Enrichment Programs
Every week, Peralta’s students enjoy a range of enrichment programs: Art, Garden, Library, Physical Education & Vocal Music. Many of these are supported by parent by the Peralta Parent Teacher Group (PPTG) through fundraising, supplemented by public and private grants raised by parents and staff. Peralta has also developed several partnerships with Bay Area arts institutions. These supplemental programs are offered in class during school hours and would not be possible without the generous support of donors to the annual Peralta Fund and other fundraising activities.
Art
Peralta’s grant-funded arts program, woven throughout the curriculum, is the heart and soul of our school. It includes three main elements: weekly art instruction, after-school classes like the ongoing mural project with artist Jamie Morgan (read more), and the integrated school-wide Peralta Stewardship Project that cuts across the curriculum. We are lucky to have two grant-funded artists-in-residence, whose teaching goes far beyond paper, scissors and glue (though they use plenty of that, too!). Read more about the Peralta Stewardship Project in the November 2010 Rockridge News.
Last Updated: 8/28/2025