Top 100 lowest student–teacher ratio in California (2025)

Schools with the fewest students per FTE teacher, among schools with at least 100 students. Ordered by the measure shown, with the Success Index (US) for context; 100 schools shown.

#	School	Sector	Students per teacher	Success Index (US)	Key result	Students
1	Tomales High Tomales · High · Grades 9–12	Public	7.9	40.5 Lower 50%	44.5% Math proficiency	127
2	Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	9.1	17.6 Lower 50%	0.5% Math proficiency	491
3	Kaiser Early Childhood Center Oakland · Elementary · Grades K–K	Public	9.1	64.4 Top 50%	49.2% Free/reduced-price lunch	118
4	KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory San Francisco · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	9.3	58.2 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	196
5	Justin Elementary Simi Valley · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	9.4	66.5 Top 50%	44.7% Free/reduced-price lunch	103
6	Tide Academy Menlo Park · High · Grades 9–12	Public	9.6	70.7 Top 25%	40.1% Free/reduced-price lunch	212
7	KIPP Esperanza High East Palo Alto · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	10.2	33.6 Lower 50%	95.9% Free/reduced-price lunch	194
8	Chester Junior/Senior High Chester · High · Grades 7–12	Public	10.3	48.0 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	124
9	Round Valley High Covelo · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.3	20.1 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	113
10	Coast Union High Cambria · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.6	50.4 Top 50%	34.5% Math proficiency	159
11	The SEED School of Los Angeles County Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	10.8	31.0 Lower 50%	99% Free/reduced-price lunch	206
12	McClymonds High Oakland · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.9	18.4 Lower 50%	2.5% Math proficiency	273
13	Point Arena High Point Arena · High · Grades 9–12	Public	10.9	33.2 Lower 50%	15% Math proficiency	131
14	Visalia Charter Independent Study Visalia · High · Grades 7–12	Charter	11.0	31.0 Lower 50%	9% Math proficiency	515
15	R. Roger Rowe Middle Rancho Santa Fe · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	11.1	94.0 Top 5%	81% Math proficiency	189
16	Corte Madera Portola Valley · Middle · Grades 4–8	Public	11.5	94.8 Top 5%	82% Math proficiency	252
17	Maxwell Sr High Maxwell · High · Grades 9–12	Public	11.7	30.8 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	117
18	Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	11.8	38.7 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	141
19	West Oakland Middle Oakland · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	11.8	13.2 Lower 50%	7.5% Math proficiency	165
20	KIPP Navigate College Prep San Jose · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	11.9	43.2 Lower 50%	76.4% Free/reduced-price lunch	297
21	Del Mar Middle Tiburon · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.0	94.7 Top 5%	81% Math proficiency	359
22	Woodside Elementary Woodside · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	12.0	95.1 Top 5%	85% Math proficiency	385
23	Ferndale High Ferndale · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.1	41.3 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	145
24	North County Trade Tech High Vista · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	12.1	23.9 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	145
25	Montecito Union Santa Barbara · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	12.2	94.8 Top 5%	85% Math proficiency	353
26	Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy San Jose · Elementary · Grades K–3	Public	12.3	27.0 Lower 50%	32% Math proficiency	185
27	Applied Technology Center Montebello · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.3	41.4 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	295
28	Trona High Trona · High · Grades 7–12	Public	12.3	30.4 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	111
29	Santa Lucia Middle Cambria · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.4	55.3 Top 50%	47% Math proficiency	112
30	School of Arts and Enterprise Pomona · High · Grades 6–12	Charter	12.4	33.5 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	647
31	Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	12.4	54.9 Top 50%	42% Math proficiency	174
32	Biggs High Biggs · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.4	31.9 Lower 50%	15% Math proficiency	161
33	San Juan High Citrus Heights · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.4	25.0 Lower 50%	12% Math proficiency	559
34	Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	12.5	23.6 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	288
35	Emery Secondary Emeryville · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.5	36.5 Lower 50%	24.5% Math proficiency	162
36	Laton High Laton · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.5	27.2 Lower 50%	15% Math proficiency	163
37	Bret Harte Middle Oakland · Middle · Grades 6–9	Public	12.5	17.6 Lower 50%	13% Math proficiency	337
38	San Pasqual Middle Winterhaven · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.5	19.3 Lower 50%	12% Math proficiency	125
39	King-Chavez Community High San Diego · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	12.6	18.8 Lower 50%	7.5% Math proficiency	226
40	Ross Elementary Ross · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	12.6	93.3 Top 5%	80% Math proficiency	339
41	San Pasqual Valley High Winterhaven · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.6	23.5 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	177
42	Mendocino High Mendocino · High · Grades 9–12	Public	12.7	65.8 Top 50%	54.5% Math proficiency	165
43	Boron Junior-Senior High Boron · High · Grades 7–12	Public	12.7	31.0 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	253
44	Westlake Middle Oakland · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.7	15.0 Lower 50%	6% Math proficiency	279
45	Anderson Valley Junior-Senior High Boonville · High · Grades 7–12	Public	12.8	41.2 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	192
46	Mayberry Street Elementary Los Angeles · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	12.8	17.2 Lower 50%	12% Math proficiency	128
47	New Millennium Secondary Gardena · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	12.9	25.4 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	116
48	Horace Mann UCLA Community Los Angeles · High · Grades 6–12	Public	12.9	14.5 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	440
49	Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate St. Helena · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	12.9	70.3 Top 25%	50% Math proficiency	257
50	SAVA - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy Sacramento · High · Grades 7–12	Charter	13.0	23.3 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	234
51	West Park Elementary Fresno · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	13.0	23.5 Lower 50%	16% Math proficiency	286
52	Career Technical Education Charter Fresno · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	13.1	59.7 Top 50%	46.7% Free/reduced-price lunch	289
53	Etna Union High Etna · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.2	61.9 Top 50%	64.5% Math proficiency	185
54	East Palo Alto Academy East Palo Alto · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	13.2	35.2 Lower 50%	12% Math proficiency	278
55	Cayucos Elementary Cayucos · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	13.2	72.3 Top 25%	52% Math proficiency	185
56	Charles Maclay Middle Pacoima · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.2	15.9 Lower 50%	14% Math proficiency	238
57	LPS Oakland R & D Campus Oakland · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	13.3	30.3 Lower 50%	12% Math proficiency	173
58	Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy Los Angeles · High · Grades 6–12	Public	13.3	13.8 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	293
59	Big Pine Elementary Big Pine · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	13.4	34.3 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	121
60	Carmel Middle Carmel · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.4	87.3 Top 5%	68% Math proficiency	468
61	University Pathways Public Service Academy Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.4	25.9 Lower 50%	97.5% Free/reduced-price lunch	121
62	Saint Helena High St. Helena · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.4	70.8 Top 25%	42% Math proficiency	416
63	Tenaya Elementary Groveland · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	13.4	37.6 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	188
64	Beverly Vista Middle Beverly Hills · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.5	82.6 Top 10%	67% Math proficiency	687
65	Borrego Springs High Borrego Springs · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.5	25.8 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	108
66	Audubon Middle Los Angeles · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.5	13.9 Lower 50%	5% Math proficiency	446
67	Fortuna Middle Fortuna · Middle · Grades 7–8	Public	13.6	24.7 Lower 50%	19% Math proficiency	231
68	Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Nevada City · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	13.6	69.7 Top 25%	49.5% Math proficiency	191
69	Marina del Rey Middle Los Angeles · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.6	18.8 Lower 50%	13% Math proficiency	300
70	Willits High Willits · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.7	35.4 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	397
71	Healdsburg Elementary Healdsburg · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	13.8	38.8 Lower 50%	37% Math proficiency	401
72	Grove Redlands · High · Grades 7–12	Charter	13.8	73.9 Top 25%	52% Math proficiency	262
73	Credo High Rohnert Park · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	13.8	75.6 Top 25%	62% Math proficiency	441
74	Engr and Tech Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #3 Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Public	13.8	19.2 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	263
75	Loyalton High Loyalton · High · Grades 7–12	Public	13.8	61.7 Top 50%	42% Math proficiency	165
76	PUC CALS Middle School and Early College High Los Angeles · High · Grades 6–12	Charter	13.9	35.0 Lower 50%	31% Math proficiency	265
77	KIPP Bayview Academy San Francisco · Middle · Grades 5–8	Charter	13.9	30.1 Lower 50%	33% Math proficiency	167
78	Blue Lake Union Elementary Blue Lake · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	13.9	38.6 Lower 50%	32% Math proficiency	153
79	Maple Elementary Newbury Park · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	13.9	61.8 Top 50%	52% Math proficiency	181
80	Crocker Middle Hillsborough · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	13.9	91.2 Top 5%	82% Math proficiency	446
81	Lafayette Elementary San Diego · Elementary · Grades K–5	Public	13.9	33.1 Lower 50%	27% Math proficiency	208
82	Alpha Cindy Avitia High San Jose · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	14.0	45.9 Lower 50%	37% Math proficiency	405
83	Pescadero Elementary and Middle Pescadero · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	14.0	33.6 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	126
84	Adams Elementary Costa Mesa · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	14.0	54.3 Top 50%	50% Math proficiency	321
85	Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	14.1	19.7 Lower 50%	17% Math proficiency	254
86	Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High Los Angeles · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	14.1	33.4 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	239
87	Lighthouse Community Charter High Oakland · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	14.1	26.6 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	281
88	Castlemont High Oakland · High · Grades 9–12	Public	14.1	10.8 Lower 50%	2.5% Math proficiency	719
89	Delta Charter Aptos · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	14.1	33.4 Lower 50%	10% Math proficiency	113
90	Portola Junior/Senior High Portola · High · Grades 7–12	Public	14.2	47.8 Lower 50%	32% Math proficiency	256
91	Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High Sacramento · High · Grades 9–12	Public	14.2	29.8 Lower 50%	15% Math proficiency	156
92	Malibu Middle Malibu · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	14.2	77.3 Top 25%	20.7% Free/reduced-price lunch	256
93	Strathmore High Strathmore · High · Grades 9–12	Public	14.3	29.6 Lower 50%	22% Math proficiency	286
94	Kepler Neighborhood Fresno · Elementary · Grades K–8	Charter	14.3	27.1 Lower 50%	23% Math proficiency	301
95	Aveson Global Leadership Academy Pasadena · High · Grades 6–12	Charter	14.3	53.4 Top 50%	32% Math proficiency	200
96	Browns Elementary Rio Oso · Elementary · Grades K–8	Public	14.3	55.2 Top 50%	32% Math proficiency	143
97	Holtville Middle Holtville · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	14.3	44.6 Lower 50%	40% Math proficiency	257
98	Harrison Street Elementary Los Angeles · Elementary · Grades K–6	Public	14.3	16.5 Lower 50%	20% Math proficiency	229
99	Ellen Fletcher Middle Palo Alto · Middle · Grades 6–8	Public	14.3	90.2 Top 5%	81% Math proficiency	572
100	Valley International Preparatory High Northridge · High · Grades 9–12	Charter	14.4	50.8 Top 50%	34.5% Math proficiency	259

Tomales High in Tomales leads the 2025 list of lowest student–teacher ratio in California with Students per teacher 7.9. Of the 100 schools shown, 72 are public, 28 are charter.

Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best ratio school in California?

Tomales High in Tomales ranks first among lowest student–teacher ratio in California with Students per teacher 7.9 (Enrollment: 127).

How are lowest student–teacher ratio in California ranked?

Schools with the fewest students per FTE teacher, among schools with at least 100 students. Only schools eligible for the Success Index (US) are included; the index is shown alongside for context.

Are these 2025 rankings official?

No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official American data (Urban Institute Education Data Portal (NCES CCD, EDFacts); NCES Common Core of Data). States set their own assessments and proficiency cut scores, so proficiency rates are most comparable within a state. Use the state rankings for like-for-like comparisons.