Best School Districts in California (2025)
This ranking covers all 526 public school districts in California, scored using the NCES Common Core of Data for the 2024–2025 school year. Four metrics are combined into the final 1–10 rating: student enrollment, per-pupil expenditure, number of operational schools, and grade span coverage.
Higher-rated districts tend to have stable, larger enrollment bases, above-average per-pupil spending, and full Pre-K–12 grade coverage. These are administrative and resource metrics — not direct measures of teaching quality, test scores, or parent satisfaction. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →
How to Use This List
Click any district name to see its zip codes and enter your address to confirm your assignment. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.