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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Public Schools in California (2026)

The top-ranked public schools in California are Whitney (Gretchen) High School, Millikin Elementary School and Science Academy Stem Magnet. The cities and towns with the highest concentration of top-ranked public schools are Cupertino, Granite Bay and La Canada Flintridge.
A school's overall testing rank is based on a it's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. The average percentage of students achieving math proficiency in California is 34%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.

Top-Ranked Public Schools in California (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Whitney (Gretchen) High School
(Math: 98% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
16800 Shoemaker Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7745
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Millikin Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
615 Hobart Terrace
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 423-1800
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Rank: #44.
Oxford Academy
(Math: 94% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
5172 Orange Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Murdock-portal Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1188 Wunderlich Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 973-8191
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
William Faria Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
10155 Barbara Ln.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Rank: #77.
North Star Academy
(Math: 95% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-8
400 Duane St.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 482-2411
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Argonaut Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
13200 Shadow Mountain Rd.
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-4773
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
California Academy Of Mathematics And Science
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 East Victoria St. Bldg. S
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
445 East Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Petaluma Accelerated Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-8
110 Ellis St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4750
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Bullis Charter
Charter School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
102 West Portola Ave.
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 947-4100
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Mission San Jose High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
41717 Palm Ave.
Fremont, CA 94539
(510) 657-3600
Rank: #1515.
Springer Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
1120 Rose Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 943-4200
Rank: #1616.
Solana Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
13605 Pacific Highlands Ranch
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 350-6600
Rank: #1717.
Elkhorn
(Math: 89% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 4-8
10505 North Davis Rd.
Stockton, CA 95209
(209) 953-8312
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Beach Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
100 Lake Ave.
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 594-2666
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2678
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Overland Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
10650 Ashby Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 838-7308
Rank: #2121.
Jack L. Weaver Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
11872 Wembley Rd.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 799-4580
Rank: #2222.
Lynbrook High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1280 Johnson Ave.
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 366-7700
Rank: #2323.
Ocean Air
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
11444 Canter Heights Dr.
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 481-4040
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
La Jolla Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1111 Marine St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(619) 605-3300
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Sage Canyon
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
5290 Harvest Run Dr.
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 481-7844
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Dr. Tj Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. Pb17
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 846-4909
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
University High School
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2611 East Matoian M/s Uh134
Fresno, CA 93740
(559) 278-8263
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Oak Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
1501 Oak Ave.
Los Altos, CA 94024
(650) 237-3900
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Yu Ming Charter
Charter School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
2501 Chestnut St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 452-2063
Rank: #3030.
Wonderland Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
8510 Wonderland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 654-4401
Rank: #3131.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
525 Middle Rd.
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 637-4820
Rank: #3232.
William Hopkins Middle School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
600 Driscoll Rd.
Fremont, CA 94539
(510) 656-3500
Rank: #3333.
Meadows Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1200 Meadows Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 546-8033
Rank: #3434.
John F. Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
821 Bubb Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 253-1525
Rank: #3535.
Scripps Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
11778 Cypress Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
(619) 605-2000
Show 100 more public schools in CA (out of 9,439 total schools)
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