Top 10 Best California Public Schools (2024)

California is the #1 largest school system in the United States, serving 5,876,295 students across the 10,375 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are 3,846 private schools, serving 658,714 students). 90% of all K-12 students in California are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in California is 34%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 49%.
The top ranked public schools in California are Oxford Academy, William Faria Elementary School and California Of Mathematics And Science. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minority enrollment is 79% (majority Hispanic) and the student:teacher ratio is 22:1.

Student by Ethnicity

(CA) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
12%
Hispanic
56%
Black
5%
White
21%
Two or more races
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in CA.

Top Ranked Public Schools in California (2024)

School
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Oxford Academy
(Math: 97% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
5172 Orange Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Rank: #22.
William Faria Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
10155 Barbara Ln.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Rank: #3 - 73. - 7.
California Of Mathematics And Science
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 E. Victoria St. Bldg. Sac
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
Rank: #3 - 73. - 7.
Carmenita Middle School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
13435 E. 166th St.
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7775
Rank: #3 - 73. - 7.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2678
Rank: #3 - 73. - 7.
Cupertino High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
10100 Finch Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 366-7300
Rank: #3 - 73. - 7.
Lynbrook High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1280 Johnson Ave.
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 366-7700
Rank: #88.
Saratoga High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
20300 Herriman Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-3411
Rank: #99.
Petaluma Accelerated Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
110 Ellis St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4750
Rank: #1010.
Mission San Jose High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
41717 Palm Ave.
Fremont, CA 94539
(510) 657-3600

Best California Public Schools by County (2024)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
419
226,656
85%
17
4,866
40%
96
29,040
46%
22
4,886
83%
271
163,995
74%
68
35,277
39%
360
205,726
85%
26
5,505
66%
96
17,860
45%
75
37,274
96%
24
2,619
68%
271
188,249
80%
67
28,525
83%
42
9,752
55%
25
3,807
36%
2,235
1,328,553
87%
80
31,958
82%
75
31,115
48%
15
1,666
34%
64
12,739
63%
114
59,061
87%
10
1,450
30%
15
1,534
60%
150
74,922
89%
40
18,204
72%
46
12,703
34%
640
450,584
77%
122
68,813
43%
15
2,084
35%
528
422,170
82%
390
248,017
72%
770
471,725
72%
240
145,621
84%
181
88,344
76%
407
235,913
83%
102
26,964
35%
47
6,173
43%
108
61,982
78%
180
63,770
61%
191
106,623
77%
42
17,808
70%
34
9,723
55%
16
1,351
32%
192
102,455
86%
29
5,820
30%
236
150,632
73%
65
28,658
71%
41
14,989
62%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in California?
The top ranked public schools in California include Oxford Academy, William Faria Elementary School and California Of Mathematics And Science.
How many public schools are located in California?
10,375 public schools are located in California.
What percentage of students in California go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in California are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in California?
Minority enrollment in California is 79% (majority Hispanic)

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