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La Canada Unified

Above Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 87.0/100

La Canada Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 87.0/100 — 43.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is La Canada High at 93/100, where 64.4% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,648 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 5.0%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
87.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
10.6
82.1 – 92.7
Avg Exceeded %
62.6%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
5.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryStrong
85.1/100
362.0%4.2%
HighStrong
92.7/100
164.4%7.5%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in La Canada Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
85.1
avg score · 3 schools
High
92.7
avg score · 1 school
La Canada High
Strong
93/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: La Canada Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 92.7.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -0.7pp (state avg: -3.0pp), growth is essentially flat.

Consistency: Score range of 10.6 points — moderately consistent between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 5.0%, 13.1pp above the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 0.9%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: La Canada High leads the district at 93 with 64.4% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in La Canada Unified

4 High Ceiling

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
12.0%
White
41.0%
Asian
31.5%
Black
0.3%
Other
15.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch
5%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

La Canada Unified spends $12,648 per student in current expenditures — $2,166 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,648
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
3,988
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 13.6%
$11,129 → $12,648
Spending Efficiency
6.88
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 60%Support 38%Other 2%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$62,598–$126,899
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
197
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (3)

La Canada Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 85.1 — 41.3 points above the state average of 43.8. 3 of 3 elementary schools score above 70.

Growth is essentially flat at -0.7pp.

The highest-scoring elementary school is La Canada Elementary with a Scope Score of 88 and 63.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1La Canada Elementary
La Canada Unified High Ceiling
63.2%Strong
88/100
2Palm Crest Elementary
La Canada Unified High Ceiling
67.6%Strong
85/100
3Paradise Canyon Elementary
La Canada Unified High Ceiling
55.1%Strong
82/100

High Schools (1)

La Canada Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 92.7 — 45.2 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 1 high schools have Scope Scores above 90.

The highest-scoring high school is La Canada High with a Scope Score of 93 and 64.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1La Canada High
La Canada Unified High Ceiling
64.4%Strong
93/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about La Canada Unified

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is La Canada Unified a good school district?
La Canada Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 87.0/100, which is 43.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. 62.6% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in La Canada Unified?
The highest-scoring school in La Canada Unified is La Canada High with a Scope Score of 93/100 and 64.4% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does La Canada Unified spend per student?
La Canada Unified spends $12,648 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in La Canada Unified?
Teacher salaries in La Canada Unified range from $62,598–$126,899 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.