For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 5,876 students in San Luis Obispo, CA (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,514 private students). 80% of all K-12 students in San Luis Obispo, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in San Luis Obispo, CA are Teach Elementary School, Bellevue-santa Fe Charter and Sinsheimer Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Luis Obispo, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in San Luis Obispo have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in San Luis Obispo, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Teach Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
165 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4100
Grades: 4-6
| 168 students
Rank: #22.
Bellevue-santa Fe Charter
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1401 San Luis Bay Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 595-7169
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 595-7169
Grades: K-6
| 164 students
Rank: #33.
Sinsheimer Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2755 Augusta St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4088
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4088
Grades: K-6
| 370 students
Rank: #44.
Los Ranchos Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5785 Los Ranchos Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4075
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4075
Grades: K-6
| 502 students
Rank: #55.
San Luis Obispo High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1499 San Luis Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4040
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4040
Grades: 9-12
| 1,650 students
Rank: #66.
Laguna Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11050 Los Osos Valley Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4055
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4055
Grades: 7-8
| 845 students
Rank: #77.
Bishop's Peak Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
451 Jaycee Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4030
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4030
Grades: K-6
| 368 students
Rank: #88.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2125 Story St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4070
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4070
Grades: K-6
| 415 students
Rank: #99.
C L Smith Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1375 Balboa St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4094
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4094
Grades: K-6
| 484 students
Rank: #1010.
Pacheco Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
261 Cuesta Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4081
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4081
Grades: K-6
| 485 students
Rank: #1111.
San Luis County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3360 Education Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 593-3186
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 593-3186
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Rank: #1212.
San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1065 Kansas Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-5395
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-5395
Grades: 6-12
| 16 students
Rank: #1313.
Pacific Beach High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11950 Los Osos Valley Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4023
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4023
Grades: 10-12
| 67 students
Rank: #1414.
San Luis Obispo County Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2494 Pennington Creek Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-7354
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-7354
Grades: 6-12
| 73 students
Rank: #1515.
Grizzly Challenge Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
721 Mendocino Ave. Camp San Lu
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-6882
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-6882
Grades: 10-12
| 225 students
Rank: n/an/a
Peep - Prepare
Special Education School
1500 Lizzie St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-1220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-1220
Grades: K-12
| 24 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The top ranked public schools in San Luis Obispo, CA include Teach Elementary School, Bellevue-santa Fe Charter and Sinsheimer Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in San Luis Obispo?
16 public schools are located in San Luis Obispo.
What percentage of students in San Luis Obispo go to public school?
80% of all K-12 students in San Luis Obispo are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in San Luis Obispo are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in San Luis Obispo include: C L Smith Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School, Pacheco Elementary School vs. Bishop's Peak Elementary School, Sinsheimer Elementary School vs. Hawthorne Elementary School
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