Top Rankings
South Pasadena Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 3,116 students in South Pasadena Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in South Pasadena Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 80% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 46% statewide average).
The top-ranked public elementary schools in South Pasadena Unified School District are Marengo Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Elementary School and South Pasadena Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
5 Schools
7,664 Schools
# Students
4,652 Students
3,815,621 Students
# Teachers
192 Teachers
173,890 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Pasadena Unified School District, which is ranked #32 of all 1,903 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 97% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#34 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
78%
34%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
80%
47%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
29%
Graduation Rate
97%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)8.3%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.64
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
36%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
23%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
23%
20%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
17%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,597 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,022. The school district revenue/student has grown by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,838 is less than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$96 MM
$150,628 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$83 MM
$130,845 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$20,597
$26,022
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$17,838
$22,604
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best South Pasadena Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Marengo Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1400 Marengo Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5850
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5850
Gr: K-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #22.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
335 El Centro St.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5840
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5840
Gr: K-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
South Pasadena Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1500 Fair Oaks
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5830
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5830
Gr: 6-8 | 1,096 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #44.
Monterey Hills Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1624 Via Del Rey
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5860
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5860
Gr: K-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
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