Find a school.
Understand the tradeoffs.
Explore school performance, student experience, and the neighborhoods around them.
5,721 elementary, 2,177 middle, and 1,647 high school — built from CDE CAASPP 2024–25 results. Data updated 2026-09-08 · How we score
9,947 public schools in California · 2025–26 · CDE statewide total
Strong scores, high-need communities
What rankings won’t show you: schools posting high Scope Scores while serving a high share of free/reduced-lunch students.
What matters for your family?
Start with a priority, then inspect the evidence.
Student supportAttendance, belonging and school climate
What support does my child need?
Look at attendance and school climate alongside academic results. A school visit can help you understand counseling, learning support and how staff respond when a child needs help.
Find schools to research →Advanced courseworkAP, IB and college preparation
Will my child have room to grow?
High school profiles show reported advanced coursework and college readiness when available. Check course access, prerequisites and support directly with the school.
Find schools to research →Arts & enrichmentMusic, arts, sports and more
What will make school feel like a fit?
Ask about the programs your child cares about, including who can join, schedules and any costs. State test scores do not measure the full school experience.
Find schools to research →School sizeEnrollment and classroom context
What setting suits my child?
Use enrollment and reported staffing as a starting point. Ask about actual class sizes for your child’s grade, since schoolwide ratios are not classroom sizes.
Find schools to research →Explore school characteristics
Browse by school character
Explore rankings by school level
Statewide top schools — elementary, middle, and high. Reference data, not a verdict; search your area above for what’s near you.
These are California's highest-scoring elementary, middle, and high schools on SchoolScope's Scope Score, ranging 43–97/100 (CDE CAASPP 2024–25). A statewide list is a starting point, not an answer — search your area above to see how schools near you compare.
A starting selection of Strong All-Around schools. Explore an area to see more local options.
Top Elementary Schools in California
Full rankings →Top Middle Schools in California
Full rankings →Top High Schools in California
Full rankings →Not sure what these scores mean? Read: Understanding CAASPP Scores — A Parent’s Guide →
Frequently asked questions
How many schools are there in California?
California had 9,947 public schools in the 2025–26 school year, according to the California Department of Education. This public-school total includes charter schools; private schools and child care facilities are separate. SchoolScope’s rankings cover schools with sufficient data. A school serving several grade levels can appear in more than one level ranking, so those ranking counts should not be added together as a statewide school total. CDE Fingertip Facts.
What are the top schools in California?
The leading schools in SchoolScope’s 2024–25 Scope Score lists are elementary: Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion Charter; middle: Elkhorn; high school: Whitney (Gretchen) High. Rankings are separate for elementary, middle and high schools. These are data-based starting points; admission requirements, programs and family needs also matter.
How do I find schools near me?
Enter your zip code, city name, or district in the search bar above. SchoolScope will show all scored schools in that area, ranked by Scope Score. You can also use the location button to automatically detect your area.
What does the Scope Score mean?
The Scope Score is a 0–100 rating. For elementary and middle schools it combines six dimensions: exceeded-standard rate (42%), met-or-exceeded rate (23%), grade-to-grade growth (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). High schools use seven dimensions, led by graduation rate (25%) and college readiness (20%). Schools are ranked within their level — elementary, middle, and high school scores are never mixed. See full methodology.
Can I compare charter vs. neighborhood schools?
Yes. SchoolScope labels each school as “Charter” or “Neighborhood” in the results. You can compare Scope Scores, exceeded rates, and growth trajectories side by side for charter and traditional public schools in the same area.
Where does the data come from?
SchoolScope calculates the Scope Score using California Department of Education (CDE) data: CAASPP Smarter Balanced test scores, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, graduation rates, and College/Career Indicator data. Enrollment and demographics come from the NCES Common Core of Data. School profiles add context from the University of California, the College Board, and the International Baccalaureate Organization — see our About page for the full 20+-source list. Data reflects the 2024-25 school year.
How to read these results
Sources & methodologyLearn where the data comes from and how it’s processed.Understanding the Scope ScoreRead the measures behind the Scope Score.Data limitationsSee what the data can and can’t tell you.Data source: California Department of Education · CDE CAASPP 2024–25 · Methodology