Best School Districts in California (2026)
This ranking covers 479 rated public school districts in California,
scored using CAASPP 2023–24 state assessment data.
Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.
A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers —
it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes.
Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions.
Learn how ratings are calculated →
California School Districts at a Glance
- 918 of the 988 regular school districts operating in California have a published rating on this site.
- 294 districts score 8/10 or higher, the top three rating bands.
- Ratings come from CAASPP 2023–24, and every district is ranked against other districts in California only — never against districts in another state, because the tests differ.
- The highest-rated district is La Canada Unified School District in La Canada Flintridge, rated 10/10.
- California has 58 high-school-only districts, so an address here can sit in an elementary district and a separate high school district at the same time. How split districts work →
How to Use This List
Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office.
Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in California? ▼
Based on state reading and math assessment proficiency (CAASPP 2023–24), the top-rated district is La Canada Unified School District in La Canada Flintridge, rated 10/10 (Excellent).
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Rankings use the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (CAASPP 2023–24), ranked against other districts in the same state, then converted to a 1–10 scale.
Full methodology here.
Are ratings based on test scores? ▼
Yes. Ratings are based directly on state reading and math assessment proficiency rates, not on enrollment, spending, or school count. They are a starting point for research, not a final verdict on school quality.
How many school districts are in California? ▼
California has 988 regular school districts operating in the 2024–25 school year, according to the NCES Common Core of Data. 918 of them have enough state assessment data to carry a rating on this site.
What test are California school district ratings based on? ▼
CAASPP 2023–24. The rating is the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, converted to a percentile against other districts in California and then to a 1–10 scale. Spending, staffing and district size are not part of it.
How many districts in California are rated 8 out of 10 or higher? ▼
294 of the 918 rated districts in California score 8/10 or above. Because the scale is a within-state percentile, a high rating means the district outperforms most other districts in California, not the country.
Can one address in California be in two school districts? ▼
Yes. California has 58 districts that serve only high school grades, so a home can be in an elementary district for the lower grades and a separate high school district for grades 9–12. Search your street address to see every district that serves it.