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California Elementary Schools

Grades 3 and 5 CAASPP scores, growth trajectory, absenteeism, and suspension rates.

5,230
Schools ranked
K-5
Grade range
6
Dimensions
21.6%
Avg exceeded rate

Top elementary schools near Columbus

Based on your approximate location. Search above for more precise results.

RankSchoolCityScorePercentile
1North HillsboroughHillsborough97Strong
97/100
2Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion CharterEl Dorado Hills96Strong
96/100
3Murdock-Portal ElementarySan Jose95Strong
95/100
4William Faria ElementaryCupertino95Strong
95/100
5Golden ElementaryPlacentia95Strong
95/100
6Montecito UnionSanta Barbara94Strong
94/100
7Millikin ElementarySanta Clara93Strong
93/100
8Cornerstone at Pedregal ElementaryRancho Palos Verdes93Strong
93/100
9Herbert Hoover ElementaryPalo Alto92Strong
92/100
10John Muir ElementarySan Jose92Strong
92/100

Browse 5,230 elementary schools on map →

Top California elementary schools

Ranked by Scope Score across 6 dimensions.

RankSchoolCountyScorePercentile
1North HillsboroughSan Mateo97Strong
97/100
2Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion CharterEl Dorado96Strong
96/100
3Murdock-Portal ElementarySanta Clara95Strong
95/100
4William Faria ElementarySanta Clara95Strong
95/100
5Golden ElementaryOrange95Strong
95/100
6Montecito UnionSanta Barbara94Strong
94/100
7Millikin ElementarySanta Clara93Strong
93/100
8Cornerstone at Pedregal ElementaryLos Angeles93Strong
93/100
9Herbert Hoover ElementarySanta Clara92Strong
92/100
10John Muir ElementarySanta Clara92Strong
92/100

What to look for in an elementary school

Our data across thousands of California elementary schools surfaces three signals that matter most:

  • Exceeded rate, not just proficiency. Two schools can both show 80% "met or exceeded standard" — but if one has 60% exceeded and the other has 20% exceeded, they're not the same school. The exceeded rate separates schools that clear the bar from schools that raise it.
  • Growth from 3rd to 5th grade. Does the school add value, or coast on the talent that walks in the door? A school where scores improve from grade 3 to grade 5 is doing the work. A school where scores decline is living off incoming advantages.
  • Chronic absenteeism under 10%. At the elementary level, absenteeism measures family engagement, school culture, and community stability. Schools with low absenteeism almost always outperform their demographics.

California elementary averages

The average exceeded rate across all scored elementary schools is 21.6%. Average grade 3→5 growth is -3.0 points. Schools above both benchmarks are doing something right.

Top districts for elementary

Districts with the highest average elementary Scope Scores (minimum 3 schools).

Hillsborough City Elementary3 schools · avg 99th percentileOrinda Union4 schools · avg 99th percentileManhattan Beach Unified5 schools · avg 99th percentileLa Canada Unified3 schools · avg 99th percentileLos Altos Elementary7 schools · avg 97th percentile
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Search elementary schools near you

Find and compare elementary schools by name, city, or zip code.

Data source: California Department of Education, CAASPP 2024-25