California is the #1 largest school system in the United States, serving 5,790,405 students across the 10,347 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 3,801 private schools, serving 661,471 students). 90% of all K-12 students in California attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in California is 34%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.
The top-ranked public schools in California are Whitney (Gretchen) High School, Millikin Elementary School, and Science Academy Stem Magnet. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 80%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 22:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in California (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Whitney (Gretchen) High School
(Math: 98% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
16800 Shoemaker Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7745
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7745
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Millikin Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
615 Hobart Terrace
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 423-1800
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 423-1800
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Rank: #44.
Oxford Academy
(Math: 94% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
5172 Orange Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Murdock-portal Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1188 Wunderlich Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 973-8191
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 973-8191
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
William Faria Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
10155 Barbara Ln.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Rank: #77.
North Star Academy
(Math: 95% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-8
400 Duane St.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 482-2411
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 482-2411
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Argonaut Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
13200 Shadow Mountain Rd.
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-4773
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-4773
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
California Academy Of Mathematics And Science
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 East Victoria St. Bldg. S
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
445 East Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Overview
This State (CA)
US
# Schools
10,347 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
5,790,405 Students
49,339,277 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
267,593 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
43%
Graduation Rate
87%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
54%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.71
# American Indian Students
24,911 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
712,374 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
12%
6%
# Hispanic Students
3,244,347 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
56%
30%
# Black Students
278,706 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
5%
15%
# White Students
1,147,587 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
20%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
23,105 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
341,731 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CA)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$116,387 MM
Spending (24-25)
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$20,100
Spending / Student (24-25)
$18,511
Best California Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: South Los Angeles (202 schools), Central LA (63 schools), North Sacramento (37 schools), Alum Rock (36 schools), Westlake (35 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in California?
The top-ranked public schools in California include Whitney (Gretchen) High School, Millikin Elementary School, and Science Academy Stem Magnet.
How many public schools are located in California?
10,347 public schools are located in California.
What percentage of students in California go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in California attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in California?
Minority enrollment in California is 80%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in California are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in California include: Thomas Russell Middle School vs. Rancho Milpitas Middle School, Argonaut High School vs. Amador High School, Creekside Middle School vs. Canyon Middle School
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