Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Charter Public Schools in California (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Charter Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 1283 charter public schools serving 726,781 students in California.
Learn more about how charter schools work. The top-ranked charter public schools in California are Petaluma Accelerated Charter, Bullis Charter and University High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California charter public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Charter Public Schools in California (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Petaluma Accelerated Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
110 Ellis St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4750
Gr: 7-8 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Bullis Charter
Charter School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
102 West Portola Ave.
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 947-4100
Gr: K-8 | 997 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #33.
University High School
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2611 East Matoian M/s Uh134
Fresno, CA 93740
(559) 278-8263
Gr: 9-12 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Yu Ming Charter
Charter School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2501 Chestnut St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 452-2063
Gr: K-8 | 959 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #55.
Creekside Charter
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1916 Chamonix Pl.
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(530) 581-1036
Gr: K-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
Canyon Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
421 Entrada Dr.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 454-7510
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Marshall Lane Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
14114 Marilyn Ln.
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 364-4259
Gr: K-5 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #88.
Welby Way Charter Elementary School And Gifted-high Ability Magnet
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
23456 Welby Way
West Hills, CA 91307
(818) 348-1975
Gr: K-5 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7701 Silva Valley Pkwy.
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(916) 933-9746
Gr: K-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1010.
Union Street Charter
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
470 Union St.
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 822-4845
Gr: K-5 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1111.
Beckford Charter For Enriched Studies
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
19130 Tulsa St.
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
(818) 360-1924
Gr: K-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1212.
Sixth Street Prep
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
15476 Sixth St.
Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 241-0962
Gr: K-6 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1313.
Camarillo Academy Of Progressive Education
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
777 Aileen St.
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 384-1415
Gr: K-12 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
Kenter Canyon Elementary Charter
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
645 North Kenter Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 472-5918
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1515.
Carpenter Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3909 Carpenter Ave.
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 761-4363
Gr: K-5 | 863 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Marquez Charter
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
16821 Marquez Ave.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 454-4019
Gr: K-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1717.
Renaissance Arts Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2558 North San Fernando Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 259-5700
Gr: K-12 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1818.
Ocsa
Charter School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1010 North Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 560-9000
Gr: 7-12 | 2,346 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1919.
Colfax Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4935 Colfax Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 761-5115
Gr: K-5 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Forest Hill Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4450 Mccoy Ave.
San Jose, CA 95130
(408) 364-4279
Gr: K-5 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4650 Badger Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
(707) 890-3860
Gr: 5-6 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2222.
Palisades Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
800 Via De La Paz
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 454-3700
Gr: K-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2323.
Community Magnet Charter Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
11301 Bellagio Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 476-2281
Gr: K-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2424.
Bellevue-santa Fe Charter
Charter School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1401 San Luis Bay Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 595-7169
Gr: K-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Elevate
Charter School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2285 Murray Ridge Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 751-4774
Gr: K-8 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
San Carlos Charter Learning Center
Charter School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
750 Dartmouth Ave.
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 508-7343
Gr: K-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2727.
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
23000 Via Santa Maria
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 305-6111
Gr: K-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2828.
Westwood Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2050 Selby Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 474-7788
Gr: K-5 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2929.
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Charter School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
22882 Loumont Dr.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 540-7800
Gr: K-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #3030.
College Preparatory Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10269 Madrid Way
Spring Valley, CA 91977
(619) 303-2782
Gr: 5-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3131.
Meadows Arts And Technology Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2000 La Granada Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 495-7037
Gr: K-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3232.
Rocklin Academy
Charter School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6532 Turnstone Way
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 632-6580
Gr: K-6 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3333.
University Preparatory High School
Charter School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
915 South Mooney Blvd. Maripos
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 730-2529
Gr: 9-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3434.
Jcs - Mountain Oaks
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
539 Encinitas Blvd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 632-4989
Gr: K-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3535.
Castlebay Lane Charter
Charter School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
19010 Castlebay Ln.
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
(818) 360-1908
Gr: K-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Show 100 more public schools in California (out of 1,283 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked charter public schools in California?
The top-ranked charter public schools in California include Petaluma Accelerated Charter, Bullis Charter and University High School.
How many charter public schools are located in California?
1,290 charter public schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California charter public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

California Top-Ranked Public Schools
California Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools

More Articles

Public School Jobs
Evaluating Public Schools
Local School Topics
Parenting and Learning Issues
About Public Schools