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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Luis Obispo Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 5,979 students in San Luis Obispo, CA (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,317 private students). 81% 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 Los Ranchos 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 34%), 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Teach Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
165 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4100
Gr: 4-6 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Los Ranchos Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5785 Los Ranchos Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4075
Gr: K-6 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
San Luis Obispo High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1499 San Luis Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4040
Gr: 9-12 | 1,678 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Sinsheimer Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2755 Augusta St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4088
Gr: K-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Laguna Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11050 Los Osos Valley Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4055
Gr: 7-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #77.
Bishop's Peak Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
451 Jaycee Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4030
Gr: K-6 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #88.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2125 Story St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4070
Gr: K-6 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #99.
C L Smith Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1375 Balboa St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4094
Gr: K-6 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Pacheco Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
261 Cuesta Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4081
Gr: K-6 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1111.
San Luis County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3360 Education Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 593-3186
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1212.
San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1065 Kansas Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-5395
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
Pacific Beach High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11950 Los Osos Valley Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 596-4023
Gr: 10-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1414.
San Luis Obispo County Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2494 Pennington Creek Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-7354
Gr: 6-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1515.
Grizzly Challenge Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
721 Mendocino Ave. Camp San Lu
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 782-6882
Gr: 10-12 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Peep - Prepare
Special Education School
1500 Lizzie St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-1220
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

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 Los Ranchos 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?
81% 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?

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