The Best Kids Services in Alameda (Reader’s Choice 2025)

Raising kids in Alameda comes with a serious perk: an incredible range of programs, schools, and experiences designed to help children grow, learn, and have fun. From music classes and enrichment programs to camps, schools, and favorite birthday party destinations, Alameda families know where to turn. Each year, Alameda Magazine readers vote for their most trusted and loved Kids Services—spotlighting the people and places that make childhood on the island so special.

Here are the Best of Alameda 2025 Kids Services winners and finalists, as chosen by local families.

Best Childhood Music Classes

Winner: East Bay Music Together

• Cadenza Studio of Music and Arts
• East Bay Music Together
• John’s School of Music
• Little Seeds Children’s Center
• Ozzy’s Music Academy

Best Classes & Enrichment Programs

Winner: Kids Elite

• Alameda Education Foundation
• Dance Arts Project
• Kids Elite
• Rhythmix Cultural Works
• Swings and Wings

Best Early Childhood Music Classes

Winner: East Bay Music Together

• Early Start Music
• East Bay Music Together
• My Little Conservatory
• Nanci’s Musiktime
• The Village Kids’ Club

Best Places for a Kids Birthday Party

Winner: Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach

• Color Me Mine
• Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
• Ruby’s Tumbling
• Subpar Miniature Golf Alameda
• Swings and Wings

Best Places to Take the Kids

Winner: The Busy Bee Activity Center

• Crab Cove Visitor Center & Aquarium
• Jean Sweeney Open Space Park
• Subpar Miniature Golf Alameda
• Swings and Wings
• The Busy Bee Activity Center

Best Preschools

Winners: Child Unique Montessori and Tiny Treasures Preschool

• Child Unique Montessori
• Kiddie Kampus Cooperative Preschool
• Little Seeds Children’s Center
• Neptune Nature School
• Peter Pan Preschool
• Saint Philip Neri School
• Tiny Treasures Preschool

Best Private Elementary Schools

Winner: Saint Philip Neri School

• Coastline Christian Schools
• Corpus Christi School
• Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda
• Saint Philip Neri School
• St. Joseph Elementary School

Best Private Middle Schools

Winner: Saint Philip Neri School

• Alameda Community Learning Center
• Coastline Christian Schools
• Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda
• Saint Philip Neri School
• St. Joseph Elementary School

Best Private High Schools

Winner: Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School

• Bentley School
• Bishop O’Dowd
• Head Royce
• Holy Names High School
• Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School

Best Public Elementary Schools

Winner: Otis Elementary School

• Bay Farm School K–8
• Edison Elementary School
• Maya Lin School
• Nea Community Learning Center
• Otis Elementary School

Best Public Middle Schools

Winner: Lincoln Middle School

• Alameda Community Learning Center
• Encinal Junior & Senior High School
• Lincoln Middle School
• Nea Community Learning Center
• The Academy of Alameda

Best Public High Schools

Winner: Alameda High School

• Alameda Community Learning Center
• Alameda High School
• Encinal High School

Best Summer Camps

Winner: Girls Inc. of the Island City

• Alameda Park and Recreation Department (ARPD)
• Alameda Young Naturalist
• Gaia Guides Kids Camp
• Girls Inc. of the Island City
• Kids Elite

Best Winter Camps

Winner: Girls Inc. of the Island City

• Alameda Young Naturalist
• ARPD
• Girls Inc. of the Island City
• Golden Gate Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
• The Village Kids’ Club

About the Best of Alameda Kids Services

Alameda Magazine’s Best of Alameda was created to give readers throughout Alameda and the East Bay a chance to voice their opinions on their personal “family favorite” Kids Services and everyday local categories. Over the years, the program has grown stronger with each round of community participation.

Voting for Best of Alameda Kids Services takes place in two rounds. The first round opens in March with open write-in nominations and remains open through mid-April. After nominations close, the second round begins in April and May, allowing readers to vote from among the top-nominated Kids Services.

Final winners are announced in October, celebrating the schools, programs, and organizations that help Alameda kids thrive.

We hope you enjoy discovering—and supporting—the Best Kids Services in Alameda.