California is the #1 largest school system in the United States, serving 5,877,829 students across the 10,378 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are , serving 654,775 students). 90% of all K-12 students in California are educated in public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in California is 33%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.
The top ranked public schools in California are Whitney (Gretchen) High School, Science Stem Magnet and Oxford Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 79% (majority Hispanic) and the student:teacher ratio is 22:1.
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title">Student by Ethnicity
![This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in California.]( "This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in California.")
(CA) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
12%
Hispanic
56%
Black
5%
White
21%
Two or more races
5%
Top Ranked Public Schools in California (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Whitney (Gretchen) High School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
16800 Shoemaker Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7745
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 229-7745
Rank: #22.
Science Stem Magnet
Alternative School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Rank: #33.
Oxford Academy
(Math: 95% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
5172 Orange Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 220-3055
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Dr. Tj Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. Pb17
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 846-4909
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 846-4909
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Elkhorn
(Math: 94% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 4-8
10505 N. Davis Rd.
Stockton, CA 95209
(209) 953-8330
Stockton, CA 95209
(209) 953-8330
Rank: #66.
Millikin Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
615 Hobart Terrace
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 423-1800
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 423-1800
Rank: #77.
William Faria Elementary School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
10155 Barbara Ln.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-0706
Rank: #88.
Murdock-portal Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1188 Wunderlich Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 973-8191
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 973-8191
Rank: #99.
North Star Academy
(Math: 95% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-8
400 Duane St.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 482-2411
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 482-2411
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
California Of Mathematics And Science
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 E. Victoria St. Bldg. Sac
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-2025
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title center">Best California Public Schools by County (2024)
Popular neighborhoods: South Los Angeles (202 schools), Central LA (63 schools), Westlake (41 schools), North Sacramento (40 schools), Alum Rock (36 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in California?
The top ranked public schools in California include Whitney (Gretchen) High School, Science Stem Magnet and Oxford Academy.
How many public schools are located in California?
10,378 public schools are located in California.
What percentage of students in California go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in California are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in California?
Minority enrollment in California is 79% (majority Hispanic)
Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Articles
Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?
Public school teachers are considered public servants – but does that make their salary details public information? Learn about the heated debate surrounding whether teacher salaries should be made public.
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan
We analyze a new plan for student assignment in two North Carolina school districts and the public reaction to the idea of bussing students – as well as alternatives that have been proposed by education experts.
