How Oakland Unified Built an Esports Program Across 17 Middle Schools

What happens when esports becomes more than an extracurricular activity?

For Oakland Unified School District, the vision was ambitious from the beginning: create an esports program spanning all 17 of its middle schools while delivering real educational value and experiences students, families, educators, and the community could celebrate.

Our partnership with Oakland is one of our favorite examples of what's possible when a district treats esports as a meaningful student opportunity—and when a program evolves alongside the people it serves.

Starting With a District-Wide Vision

Oakland didn't simply want students playing video games.

The district wanted a structured program that could reach students throughout its middle schools and create opportunities for competition, engagement, and learning.

It also wanted something memorable.

Together, we launched the program district-wide and developed championship experiences in both the fall and spring.

Creating a Championship Worth Celebrating

The championship events were designed to feel special.

Students competed in an environment that included live broadcasts, food, prizes, custom jerseys and assets, and the atmosphere of a genuine championship event.

But the most important part wasn't the production.

It was who was being celebrated.

The student who loves gaming isn't always the student who has traditionally had the opportunity to put on a jersey, represent their school, compete in front of an audience, and have family members and community members show up to cheer them on.

Esports can change that.

It gives an entirely different group of students an opportunity to represent something bigger than themselves.

Growing Alongside the District

Successful partnerships don't remain static.

As Oakland's esports program developed, the district's needs changed.

When Oakland wanted specialized equipment for its championship events, we helped provide it.

When the district needed someone on the ground to help manage the program, we put an EGL team member in Oakland to provide additional support.

And as the partnership has continued, we've begun exploring opportunities to expand into elementary and high school programming and potentially incorporate additional career-focused curriculum.

Why the Partnership Works

The biggest lesson from Oakland isn't about a particular piece of technology or a championship event.

It's about the definition of partnership.

We haven't approached our relationship with Oakland as simply selling the district a product.

We've approached it as an ongoing collaboration.

The district has goals for its students. Our job is to listen to those goals, understand what Oakland needs, and determine how EGL can help bring that vision to life.

As those needs evolve, we evolve with them.

Build the Program Your Students Need

There isn't one perfect esports model for every school or district.

Some organizations need a small after-school program. Others want district-wide competition. Some want career exploration and curriculum. Others need equipment, implementation assistance, or personnel.

Oakland demonstrates what's possible when the program is built around the partner rather than forcing the partner into a predetermined model.

That's what a true partnership should look like.

And ultimately, that's how an esports program can become something students, educators, families, and an entire community are proud to call their own.