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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Improved Public Elementary Schools in California (2026)

The most improved public elementary schools in California are Willowbrook Middle School, Alameda County Juvenile Hall/court and Santa Clara County Court.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2021-26).
Improved Rank Range: 4,906 7,715 Avg. Improved Rank: 6,003

Most Improved Public Elementary Schools in California (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2021-26)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Willowbrook Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +7715
(from 8,770 to 1,055)
Grades: 6-8
2601 North Wilmington Ave.
Compton, CA 90222
(310) 604-2706
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Alameda County Juvenile Hall/court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6646
(from 9,243 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
2500 Fairmont Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 670-7609
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Santa Clara County Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6646
(from 9,243 to 2,597)
Grades: 6-12
1290 Ridder Park Dr. Mc213
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 573-3070
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6573
(from 9,170 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
2840 West Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Stanislaus County West Campus
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6573
(from 9,170 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
2215 Blue Gum Ave.
Modesto, CA 95350
(209) 567-4739
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Academy For Change
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6528
(from 9,125 to 2,597)
Grades: 6-12
290 East Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3092
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Providence
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6528
(from 9,125 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
4333 Vineyard Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 981-5800
Rank: #88.
John F. Cruikshank Junior
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6518
(from 9,115 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
2707 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-4847
Rank: #99.
Harold Mcalister High (Opportunity)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6504
(from 9,101 to 2,597)
Grades: 6-12
1321 Cortez St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-2015
Rank: #1010.
Santa Barbara County Community
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6497
(from 9,094 to 2,597)
Grades: 5-12
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93160
(805) 967-5307
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Calaveras River Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6470
(from 9,067 to 2,597)
Grades: 6-12
150 Old Oak Rd.
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-1996
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6470
(from 9,067 to 2,597)
Grades: 5-12
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-5307
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Eagle Summit Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6419
(from 9,016 to 2,597)
Grades: 6-12
9258 Malpaso Rd.
Phelan, CA 92329
(760) 868-5400
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Merced City School District Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6419
(from 9,016 to 2,597)
Grades: K-6
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6647
Rank: #1515.
Santa Rosa French-american Charter (Srfacs)
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +6360
(from 8,108 to 1,748)
Grades: K-8
1350 Sonoma Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 890-3930
Rank: #1616.
Sierra Vista
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6337
(from 8,842 to 2,505)
Grades: 3-12
5280 Stirling St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(916) 277-8799
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Bellflower Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6245
(from 8,842 to 2,597)
Grades: K-12
16703 South Clark Ave.
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 866-9011
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Redding Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6245
(from 8,842 to 2,597)
Grades: 1-8
5885 East Bonnyview Rd.
Redding, CA 96099
(530) 225-0406
Rank: #1919.
Fletcher Mandarin Language & Gate Academy
(Math: 58% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +6186
(from 7,688 to 1,502)
Grades: K-6
515 West Fletcher St.
Orange, CA 92865
(714) 997-6181
Rank: #2020.
Marshall Academy Of The Arts
(Math: 44% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +6144
(from 8,254 to 2,110)
Grades: 6-8
5870 East Wardlow Rd.
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562) 429-7013
Rank: #2121.
Melrose Leadership Academy
(Math: 46% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +5895
(from 8,635 to 2,740)
Grades: K-8
4730 Fleming Ave.
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 879-2152
Rank: #2222.
Micheltorena Street Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +5751
(from 7,711 to 1,960)
Grades: K-5
1511 Micheltorena St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-2125
Rank: #2323.
Mountain View Montessori Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +5549
(from 7,068 to 1,519)
Grades: K-6
17000 Silica Dr.
Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 843-3303
Rank: #2424.
Claremont Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +5540
(from 7,686 to 2,146)
Grades: 6-8
5750 College Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 879-2201
Rank: #2525.
Edna Beaman Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +5522
(from 8,119 to 2,597)
Grades: K-5
25541 Highway 6
Benton, CA 93512
(760) 933-2397
Rank: #2626.
Webster (Daniel) Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +5441
(from 7,986 to 2,545)
Grades: K-5
465 Missouri St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 695-5787
Rank: #2727.
Junction City Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +5348
(from 6,232 to 884)
Grades: K-8
430 Red Hill Rd.
Junction City, CA 96048
(530) 623-6381
Rank: #2828.
Parkside Montessori
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +5334
(from 6,695 to 1,361)
Grades: K-8
1685 Eisenhower St.
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 312-7575
Rank: #2929.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +5283
(from 7,117 to 1,834)
Grades: K-5
3770 Utah St.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 344-3300
Rank: #3030.
Sherman Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +5174
(from 8,272 to 3,098)
Grades: K-5
301 22nd St.
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 615-7000
Rank: #3131.
Washington Irving Mid School Math Music And Engr Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +5143
(from 8,070 to 2,927)
Grades: 6-8
3010 Estara Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 259-3700
Rank: #3232.
Wilson Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +5137
(from 8,996 to 3,859)
Grades: K-12
1840 Benton St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 423-3600
Rank: #3333.
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +5109
(from 6,695 to 1,586)
Grades: K-5
2840 Ellsworth St.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-6290
Rank: #3434.
Richvale Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +4934
(from 5,893 to 959)
Grades: 1-6
5236 Church St.
Richvale, CA 95974
(530) 624-0731
Rank: #3535.
Briones (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +4906
(from 8,459 to 3,553)
Grades: K-12
925 Susana St.
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-5800
Show 100 more public schools in CA (out of 7,342 total schools)
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