California public school ratings: 2023 California Schools | Public, Charter, & Private School Ratings
CA top public elementary schools according to Niche list
A new study by Niche says these are the best elementary schools in California.
A new ranking from Niche, a school review website, says California’s top 10 elementary schools are split between Northern and Southern California — mostly concentrated in the Bay and Los Angeles areas.
Its 2023 Best Public Elementary School ranking used a tiered system to compile the overall grades.
Niche used the following factors, which each included surveys of parents, teachers and/or students, in its ranking methodology:
- Academic grades based on state testing
- Teacher grades based on salary, state test results and absences
- District grade based on parent and student survey responses
- Culture and diversity school culture, racial and economic student diversity
- Resources and Facilities: expenses utilized per student and staffing
- Clubs and activities: expenses utilized for extracurricular activities
- Sports grade: based on the athletic sports offered at the school, and participation
Seven of the 10 following schools also made the state’s official 2023 distinguished elementary school list, which included more than 350 schools across the state. Sacramento County had seven schools honored.
Here’s which elementary schools Niche says are the best in California:
Best California elementary schools, Niche says
1. Mt. Everest Academy
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: alternative school
Student proficiency snapshot: 77% of students are proficient in math and 87% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 291
Address: 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd., San Diego
2. Granada Hills Charter
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: charter school
Student proficiency snapshot: 55% of students are proficient in math and 76% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 5,462
Address: 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
3. Woodside Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 85% of students are proficient in math and 88% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 368
Address: 3195 Woodside Road, Woodside
4. Duveneck Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 86% of students are proficient in math and 81% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 340
Address: 705 Alsester Ave., Palo Alto
5. Palm Crest Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 87% of students are proficient in math and 88% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 620
Address: 5025 Palm Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
6. Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 83% of students are proficient in math and 86% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 359
Address: 1711 Stanford Ave. Stanford
7. La Canada Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 90% of students are proficient in math and 90% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 622
Address: 4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
8. Walter Hays Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 83% of students are proficient in math and 83% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 259
Address: 1525 Midfield Road, Palo Alto
9. Paradise Canyon Elementary School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: public school
Student proficiency snapshot: 86% of students are proficient in math and 87% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 680
Address: 471 Knight Way., La Cañada Flintridge
10. Yu Ming Charter School
Niche overall grade: A+
Type of school: immersion charter
Student proficiency snapshot: 94% of students are proficient in math and 94% are proficient in reading.
Student population: 555
Address: 1086 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland
This story was originally published April 10, 2023, 2:21 PM.
Jacqueline Pinedo
Jacqueline Pinedo is a reporter on The Bee’s service journalism team. She previously interned at the Los Angeles Times and completed her master’s degree at the University of Southern California.
Which California school districts are run well?
Posted inCommentary
by
Dan Walters
Image via iStock
In summary
A new on-line tool allows parents and voters to see how well their local school districts are prepared to make the reforms necessary to raise academic achievement in California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is fond of characterizing his state as a national — or even global — model in all things good, from economic clout to fighting climate change.
One conspicuous absence on his list of California’s virtues is its public education system, for good reason.
In statewide and nationwide tests of K-12 academic achievement, California lags badly behind. Learning is especially deficient among children from poor families, but even kids from affluent California families tend to lag behind those in other states.
To the extent that this educational crisis receives any attention in the state Capitol, the discussion is almost always confined to money, on the fanciful notion that spending more will automatically increase academic attainment.
One reason money doesn’t solve the problem is that the state provides very little oversight on how the money is spent, including the extra funds that local school systems receive specifically to close the achievement gap. State education officials intervene only when local systems are flirting with insolvency.
Some school districts spend their money wisely and effectively and some don’t and outcomes largely hinge on the quality of their governance. Those with engaged and committed boards and administrators tend to have better outcomes than those with inconsistent, politics-driven and often chaotic governance.
That’s why a massive effort to judge how well California’s local school systems are structured and managed is welcome.
Arun Ramanathan, CEO of Pivot Learning, an Oakland-based non-profit organization that advises school systems on improving instruction, created a series of benchmarks to gauge how well school districts are prepared to embrace reforms. He also created a website that allows the public to view the results for every school district with at least 2,500 students.
“Despite billions in investment and decades of effort, new reform efforts rarely have intended impacts at the district, school and classroom level, and sustained improvement is rare,” Ramanathan told EdSource, a website of education journalism. “There are rarely insights into why. The District Readiness Index resulted from that questioning.”
The ratings cover five “domains” – community relations, finance, leadership, personnel policies and workplace conditions. Users can see how the districts score in each, with overall ratings designated by colors. Blue is the best, yellow is in the middle and orange is the worst.
The grading process resulted in about half of the 420 districts getting yellow grades and about 40% blue marks with roughly two dozen placed in the orange category, meaning they have “few foundations” for achieving needed reforms.
Some of the state’s largest districts are colored orange, including Los Angeles Unified, whose enrollment approaches 10% of the state’s 6 million public school students.
It’s not surprising that LA Unified, Oakland Unified, San Francisco Unified and Sacramento Unified received low marks because all have been in constant political turmoil and financial distress of their own making.
Three of the large districts – San Diego Unified, Elk Grove Unified and San Juan Unified – escaped the orange designation and are marked as yellow.
A few large districts achieved blue status for being well prepared, including Fresno Unified, Long Beach Unified and San Bernardino Unified. But most of the blue districts tend to be either in affluent suburbs – no surprise there – or in rural areas.
Most interestingly, the blue list includes a number of districts with large numbers of poor students, such as Brawley and Calexico in poverty stricken Imperial County.
The District Readiness Index provides new ammunition for the school reform movement in California, which seeks to elevate students’ welfare over the petty politics, particularly in Los Angeles Unified and other large districts, that sabotage their educations.
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Tagged: Commentary
Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times…
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Top 10 California Private High Schools 2023 | How to Apply
California’s top private high schools also rank among the top high schools in the US.
As the most populous state in America, California has many high schools and students.
In addition, California ranks first in enrollment and first in total schools.
It also ranks 51st in student-teacher ratio and 37th in percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunches.
In addition to many high schools, it is also home to some of the most popular destinations in the world.
Some of the best are the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, Hollywood and Silicon Valley, some of California’s popular high schools.
ALSO READ: 10 Best Private High Schools in Colorado | Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply
What You Should Know About High Schools in California
A good understanding of general high schools across the state is a good way to set your expectations in the right direction.
So on this note, we briefly pointed out some of the norms of California high schools.
Credit Load
Students must complete 13 special annual courses before graduating from high school in California.
Of course, this includes three English lessons, two math lessons and two science courses.
California’s high private high school enrollment rate
California is the most populous US state with the highest number of students.
In the 2005-06 school year, more than 6.2 million students enrolled in California high schools.
Thus, California has one of the highest recruitment projections in the country.
With such a large number of students, private high schools and public schools are trying their best to serve such a large number.
California private high school dropout rates
One of the biggest problems with the California school system is the high dropout rate in high school, especially among minority students.
Approximately 22% of African Americans and Hispanics in California live in poverty.
However, only about 68% of students living below the poverty line usually complete secondary school.
In light of this, the State of California passed the Recovery and Dropout Prevention Act (SB 65) as the government’s way of dealing with California’s high dropout rate.
In addition, Senate Bill 65 initiated three new dropout prevention activities: the Student Motivation and Support Program, the Alternative Education Counselors (AEOC) Program, and the Educational Clinic Program.
Read More: Top 10 Private High Schools in Maine | Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply
Class Size
By comparison, California private high schools have significantly larger class sizes.
However, the overall teacher-student ratio in California was also 49th, with 21 students per teacher.
It’s just that Arizona and Utah have lower rates in the US.
However, we can relate this to the sheer number of students.
Although the typical teacher-to-student ratio has recently been estimated to average 12:1. subjects in the country, states, and some city districts.
Typically for a representative sample of 4th, 8th, and 12th grade students.
California kids tend to do poorly on NAEP tests.
However, in the long run, the results of the California school have improved significantly.
But they are still rather mediocre.
NAEP measures, while imperfect, allow researchers and policymakers to monitor the overall education system by comparing student achievement across years, states, grades, and student subgroups.
California private high school acceptance rates
A very accurate estimate of an average approval rate of 84%.
However, minority enrollment is 48% and 50% of schools are religious (most often Roman Catholic and Christian).
ALSO READ: 10 Best Private High Schools in Hawaii | Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply
How many private high schools are there in California?
Of California’s 3,892 high schools, 730 are private.
However, 3,162 schools are public.
Also, California ranks 1st in enrollment and 1st in total schools with approximately 658,760 students.
What is the average cost of attending a private school in California?
California average tuition is below average tuition.
This means that most private schools in California charge low tuition fees.
However, private elementary schools in California are among the most expensive in the country.
Also, according to our research, the average tuition for all private K-12 schools in California is around $12,860.
But the average private elementary school tuition is $11,080.
However, private high schools in California pay around $19,830.
List of Top 10 Private Schools in California
Finally, we have compiled a list of some of the best private high schools in California that you might be interested in.
Here they are:
#1. College Preparatory School
- Location: OAKLAND, CA 9-12
- Current rating 4.16 out of 5 in 81 reviews
- Student Population: 373
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- Annual Tuition: $48,300.
Official Website
No. 2 Nueva School
- Location: HILLSBORO, CA PK, K-12
- Current Rating 4.53 out of 5 in 53 reviews
- Student to teacher ratio: 6:1
- Annual tuition fee: $53,350.
9012 7 Student population: 853
Official Website
Read More: Top 10 Private High Schools in Arizona | Requirements, cost and how to apply
#3. Harvard Westlake School
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CA 7-12
- Current Rating 4.47 out of 5 in 152 reviews
- Student Population: 1,620
- Student Teacher Ratio: 8 : 1
- Annual tuition: 42 600 US dollars.
Official website
#4. Stanford Online High School
- Location: REDWOOD CITY, CA 7-12
- CurrentRating 4.64 out of 5 based on 154 reviews
- Student Population: 903
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Annual tuition fee: 26 $570.
Official Website
No. 5 Castilleja School
- Location: PALO ALTO, CA 6-12
- Current Rating 4.32 out of 5 in 57 reviews
- Student population: 430
- Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
- Annual tuition fee: $47,970.
Official Website
Also Read: Florida’s Top 10 Private High Schools | Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply
Some Other Private High Schools in California
No.
6 Crystal Springs Uplands School
- Location: HILLSBORO, CA 6-12
- Current rating 4.41 out of 5 in 44 review
- Student population: 539
- Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
- Annual tuition fee: $46,780.
Official Website
No. 7. Flintridge Preparatory School
- Location: LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, CA 7-12
- Current Rating 4.65 out of 5 in 99 review 9 0128
- Student population: 530
- Student to teachers: 8:1
- Annual tuition: $40,500.
Official Website
Read More: Top 10 Private High Schools in New Mexico | Requirements, cost and how to apply
No. 8. Bishop’s School
- Location: SAN DIEGO, CA 6-12
- Current Rating 4.55 out of 5 in 80 Review
- Student Population: 800
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 9012 8
- Annual tuition: $39,460 USA.
Official Website
No. 9 Polytechnic School
- Location: PASADENA, CA K-12
- Current rating 4.
19 out of 5 in 104 reviews
- Stu Daily population: 859
- Student-teacher ratio: 7: 1
- Annual tuition: $37,500.
Official website
No. 10. Keith School
- Location CARPINTERIA, CA 9-12
- Rated 4.41 out of 5 in 44 reviews
- Student population: 298
- Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Annual tuition fee: $49,700.
Official Website
READ ALSO: Top 10 Private High Schools in New Jersey | Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply
What are the best private high schools in Orange County, California?
Orange County is one of California’s top cities for secondary education.
As such, there are 79 private high schools in Orange County, California with over 23,470 students.
When it comes to the best private high schools in Orange County such as Fairmont Preparatory Academy, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools and Sage Hill School.
However, 51% of private high schools in Orange County, California have a Christian or Catholic religious affiliation.
Here is a list of private high schools in Orange County, California;
- Pacific Academy
- Sage Hill School
- Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
- Fairmont Preparatory Academy
- Westcliff Preparatory Academy
- Fairmont Schools – San Juan -Capistrano
- Fusion Academy Huntington Beach
- Fusion Academy Mission Viejo
- Academy of the Future – Aliso Viejo
- Academy of the Future – Anaheim Hills
What are the best private high schools in Pasadena, California?
Pasadena, California has 16 private high schools with 4,610 students.
Pasadena, California private high schools enroll 72% of students from all countries.
Highly ranked private high schools in Pasadena, California are Westridge School, Sequoyah School, and the Marianne Frostig Center for Educational Therapy.
However, 25% of private high schools in Pasadena, California have a religious affiliation with Catholic and Christian churches.
Here is a list of private high schools in Pasadena, California, in no particular order;
- Sequoia School
- Westridge School
- EF Pasadena Academy
- Future Academy – Pasadena
- La Salle Preparatory College
- Maranatha High School
- Marianne Frostig Center for Educational Therapy
- Mayfield High School
- Polytechnic School
- Renaissance Academy
- Villa Esperanza Services
- Waverly School
- Life Abundance Academy-Other
What are the best private high schools in Fresno, California?
Fresno, California has 18 private high schools with 3,016 students.
Of these 18 schools, Fresno Christian Schools, Fresno Adventist Academy, and Carden School in Fresno are ranked as the best private schools in the area and California.
Here is a list of other top private high schools in Fresno, California;
- Fresno Cardin School
- Fresno Adventist Academy
- Fresno Christian Schools
- St.
Anthony of Padua School
- San Joaquin Memorial High School Apples Of Gold Educational Center
- Christian Academy Campus
- Fairmont Private School
- Baptist Faith Academy
- Fresno Montessori School
- KinderCare Training Center
- Koinonia Christian School
- La Petite Academy
- Achieving Potential Educational Institute
- St. Helens School
What are the best private high schools in San Jose, California?
San Jose, California has a total of 22 private high schools with an enrollment of 11,642 students and an average acceptance rate of its schools is 81%.
The top private high schools in San Jose, California are Cambrian Academy, The Harker School Upper School, and BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.
Others include;
- BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
- Cambrian Academy
- Harker High School
- Archbishop Mitta High School
- Bellarmine College Preparatory School
- High School Presentation
- Renaissance Learning Academy
- Second Start -Pine Hill School
- Valley Christian High School
- Reach 9 kids0128
- Apostle Lutheran School
- Al-Safa Institute/Al-Safa Academy
- Creekside School
- Cristo Rey San Jose High School
9012 7 Notre Dame High School
What are the best private high schools in Fremont, California?
Fremont, California is one of the California cities with several private high schools.
There are currently 5 private high schools in Fremont, California with 872 students and an acceptance rate of 93%.
The top two private high schools in Fremont, California include Alsion Middle/High School and Fremont Christian School.
Others include;
- Averroes High School
- Bethel Christian Academy
- Seneca Centers Pathfinder Academy
What are the best private high schools in Roseville, California?
Roseville, CA has a total of 3 private high schools with 49 students2 students.
Of the 3 private high schools in Roseville, California, Valley Christian Academy is the best.
Roseville, California private high schools enroll 33% of students and are religiously affiliated with the Baptist Church.
Here are other private high schools in Roseville, California;
- Learning Center Gate
- Granite Bay Montessori
What are the most expensive private high schools in California?
There are about 339 private high schools in California, some of which are the most expensive.
The median annual cost of attending a private high school in California is $21,205.
The lowest tuition fee private high school is Granite Bay Montessori with a tuition fee of $1,125 and the most expensive high school is The Webb School with a tuition fee of $73,320.
Here is a list of the most expensive private high schools in California;
- University of San Francisco High School
- Bay Jewish Community High School
- Westmark School
- Woodside Priory School
- San Francisco City School
- Menlo School
What are the best private high schools in Berkeley, California?
Berkeley, California has 25 private high schools with 2,846 students and an average acceptance rate of 69%.
In Berkeley, California, top private high schools include: Berkeley School, Maybeck High School, and Black Pine Circle School.
Only a few of the 25 private high schools in Berkeley, California have a Catholic affiliation.
Here is a list of the best private high schools in Berkeley, California;
Berkeley School
- Berkeley Synthesis Academy
- academy
- Black Pine Circle School
- Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley
- Maybeck High School
- Walden Center and School
- Montessori American International School
- Bayhill Middle School
- Berkeley Rose Waldorf School
- Berkwood Hedge School
- Cedar Creek Montessori School
- Crowden School
90 127 Madeleine School
What are the best private high schools in Hayward, California?
Hayward, California has 15 private schools with approximately 3,000 students and an acceptance rate of 74%.
Of California Crosspoint Academy’s 15 schools, Moro Catholic High School and St. Clement’s are ranked as the best private high schools in Hayward, California.
However, about 80% of private high schools in Hayward, California are either Catholic or Christian.
Here is a list of the best private high schools in Hayward, California;
- California Crosspoint Academy
- Moreau Catholic High School
- North Star School
- St. Clement’s School
- St. Joachim’s School
- Joyful Noise Learning Center 9012 8
- All Saints Catholic School
- American Heritage Christian School
- Bayside Adventist Christian School
- California Crosspoint Academy
- Kids’ Choice
What are the best private high schools in Riverside, California?
There are 45 private high schools in Riverside County, California with approximately 11,228 students and an acceptance rate of 80%.
Of these 45 private high schools in Riverside County, California, Rancho Christian School, St. Jeanne De Lestonnac School and Idyllwild Arts Academy.
Here are some of the best private high schools in Riverside, California;
What are the best private high schools in Beverly Hills, California?
Beverly Hills, California has 5 private high schools with 1,045 students.
Ranked top private high schools in Beverly Hills, California include Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy and Good Shepherd Catholic School.
Attending a private high school in Beverly Hills, California means you have a high chance of getting into a Jewish or Catholic school.
Here are the best private high schools in Beverly Hills, California;
- Academy of the Future – Beverly Hills
- Good Shepherd Catholic School
- Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy
- Beverly Hills Presbyterian Clinic and Kindergarten
- Temple E Academy Day School manuel
What are the best private high schools in Sacramento, California?
There are 38 private high schools in Sacramento County, California with 9 students.,256 students.
58% of the private high schools in Sacramento County, California are owned by either Christians or Catholics.
Top private high schools in Sacramento County, California include:
- Sacramento Country Day School
- Capital Innovation Academy
- READ Sacramento Academy
- Alternative School
- Al-Arkam Islamic School and Preparatory College
- Christian High School Bradshaw
- Metropolitan Christian School
- Christian Brothers High School
- Cornerstone Christian School
- Cristo Rey High School
- Jesuit High School
- Sacramento Adventist Academy
9012 7 Sacramento Waldorf School
Conclusion: California Private High Schools
California High Schools schools can be too noisy if you like a quieter environment.
Although the number of enrolled students can be very large.
However, some of the top schools in the US are in California.
Aside from purely academic pursuits, no matter what city you are in, California is bliss.
Because of the mere presence of tech masterminds and entertainment giants.
However, rest assured that your creativity will always be on your heels, it only takes a little effort to become a top student.
Our recommendation
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University of California Los Angeles – tuition fees at UCLA, departments of the University of California Los Angeles
#20 National Universities
University of California – Los Angeles – the second campus of the University of California, was founded in 1919. The university has been ranked first among American universities in terms of the number of applications for admission for several years in a row. There are 45,000 students at UCLA.
The campus spans over 162 hectares in the Westwood neighborhood of northwest Los Angeles, just a few miles from the Pacific coast. On the UCLA campus, you can find a sculpture garden, a number of museums and exhibitions, including an exposition of digital arts.
7 UCLA alumni and 10 professors have won Nobel Prizes, 105 former students or faculty have won Oscars, 278 Emmys, 129 faculty members are members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 30 are members of the National Academy of Engineering. UCLA is a doctoral university with a very high level of scientific activity, its annual research spending exceeds $1 billion (12th place among US universities). The university is part of the so-called Public Ivy – a group of public universities that, in terms of prestige and quality of education, do not differ from private Ivy League universities.
Actor Nicolas Cage, director Francis Ford Coppola, founder of the social network MySpace Tom Anderson, and “father of the Internet” and developer of the Internet protocol TCP / IP Vinton Cerf graduated from the University of California – Los Angeles.
Why go to UCLA?
- vibrant student life – UCLA has more than 1,000 student clubs and organizations where students are involved in the arts, music, politics, sports, technology, and more;
- prestigious diploma is highly regarded by employers in the US and abroad – the university ranks 2nd in the ranking of graduate employment according to the QS rating agency.
Strengths:
- engineering
- information technology and computer science
- medicine
- jurisprudence
- film and theater arts
- music
Training in specialties
-
Economy
-
Business and management
-
Engineering
-
Jurisprudence (law)
-
Art and design
-
Media and communications
-
IT, Computer Science
-
International relations and politics
-
Natural and exact sciences
-
Humanities
-
Biology and biomedicine
-
Social sciences
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) education and fees
Undergraduate
Cost from
42218 $
Age from
17 years old
Entry requirements
High school diploma 90 003
Grade statements
SAT with Essay 1370-1540 | ACT with Writing 30-35 test-optional from 2021
Personal insight questions – mini-essays with answers to questions about yourself IELTS 7. 0 | TOEFL 100
Leave an application
Master’s degree
Cost from
32588 $
Age from
20 years old
Entry requirements
Bachelor’s degree
Statements of grades
Letter of motivation
Recommendations – the number depends on the program
Resume
GRE | GMAT
Sample Writing, Portfolio, Interview – depending on program
IELTS 7.0 | TOEFL 100
Leave a request
Benefits of applying to foreign universities with Studylab
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- assistance in admission to the chosen program: Foundation, Bachelor’s, Master’s or MBA;
- preparation for entrance exams TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GMAT, etc.;
- selection of an educational institution based on the student’s level of preparation, desired specialties and price range;
- development of an individual learning plan;
- help in writing essays and motivational letters;
- organizing a visit to the campus of the selected university;
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