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Top 100 traditional public schools in California (2025)

District-run public schools. Ranked by the Success Index (US) from official American data; 100 schools shown.

  1. 1
    95
    Woodside ElementaryWoodside · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 385 students
  2. 2
    95
    Corte MaderaPortola Valley · Public Middle82% Math proficiency · 252 students
  3. 3
    95
    Montecito UnionSanta Barbara · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 353 students
  4. 4
    95
    Del Mar MiddleTiburon · Public Middle81% Math proficiency · 359 students
  5. 5
    94
    R. Roger Rowe MiddleRancho Santa Fe · Public Middle81% Math proficiency · 189 students
  6. 6
    93
    Ross ElementaryRoss · Public Elementary80% Math proficiency · 339 students
  7. 7
    92
    Cold Spring ElementarySanta Barbara · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 188 students
  8. 8
    92
    North HillsboroughHillsborough · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 274 students
  9. 9
    92
    Lakeside ElementaryLos Gatos · Public Elementary90% Math proficiency · 64 students
  10. 10
    92
    R. Roger Rowe ElementaryRancho Santa Fe · Public Elementary86% Math proficiency · 316 students
  11. 11
    91
    Crocker MiddleHillsborough · Public Middle82% Math proficiency · 446 students
  12. 12
    91
    Tule Elk Park Children CenterSan Francisco · Public Elementary19.2% Free/reduced-price lunch · 73 students
  13. 13
    90
    Ellen Fletcher MiddlePalo Alto · Public Middle81% Math proficiency · 572 students
  14. 14
    90
    South HillsboroughHillsborough · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 244 students
  15. 15
    90
    Jane Lathrop Stanford MiddlePalo Alto · Public Middle84% Math proficiency · 1,002 students
  16. 16
    89
    Ballard ElementarySolvang · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 113 students
  17. 17
    89
    West HillsboroughHillsborough · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 275 students
  18. 18
    89
    La Entrada MiddleMenlo Park · Public Middle82% Math proficiency · 612 students
  19. 19
    89
    Hillview MiddleMenlo Park · Public Middle82% Math proficiency · 846 students
  20. 20
    88
    Mill Valley MiddleMill Valley · Public Middle77% Math proficiency · 721 students
  21. 21
    88
    Piedmont MiddlePiedmont · Public Middle86% Math proficiency · 575 students
  22. 22
    88
    Frank S. Greene Jr. MiddlePalo Alto · Public Middle79% Math proficiency · 732 students
  23. 23
    88
    Georgina P. Blach Junior HighLos Altos · Public Middle85% Math proficiency · 388 students
  24. 24
    88
    Wildwood ElementaryPiedmont · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 291 students
  25. 25
    87
    Ormondale ElementaryPortola Valley · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 243 students
  26. 26
    87
    Carmel MiddleCarmel · Public Middle68% Math proficiency · 468 students
  27. 27
    87
    Happy Valley ElementarySanta Cruz · Public Elementary77% Math proficiency · 106 students
  28. 28
    87
    Havens ElementaryPiedmont · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 464 students
  29. 29
    87
    Del Mar Hills ElementaryDel Mar · Public Elementary82% Math proficiency · 224 students
  30. 30
    87
    White Oaks ElementarySan Carlos · Public Elementary97.5% Math proficiency · 250 students
  31. 31
    87
    Beach ElementaryPiedmont · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 323 students
  32. 32
    86
    Hoover ElementaryBurlingame · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 227 students
  33. 33
    86
    Covington ElementaryLos Altos · Public Elementary90% Math proficiency · 404 students
  34. 34
    86
    Encinal ElementaryAtherton · Public Elementary82% Math proficiency · 604 students
  35. 35
    86
    Oak Avenue ElementaryLos Altos · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 334 students
  36. 36
    86
    Ocean AirSan Diego · Public Elementary91% Math proficiency · 450 students
  37. 37
    86
    Old Mill ElementaryMill Valley · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 261 students
  38. 38
    86
    Del Mar Heights ElementaryDel Mar · Public Elementary86% Math proficiency · 293 students
  39. 39
    86
    Gardner Bullis ElementaryLos Altos Hills · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 313 students
  40. 40
    86
    Herbert Hoover ElementaryPalo Alto · Public Elementary94% Math proficiency · 389 students
  41. 41
    86
    Redwood MiddleSaratoga · Public Middle89% Math proficiency · 709 students
  42. 42
    86
    Loyola ElementaryLos Altos · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 367 students
  43. 43
    86
    Sage CanyonSan Diego · Public Elementary86% Math proficiency · 457 students
  44. 44
    86
    Argonaut ElementarySaratoga · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 367 students
  45. 45
    86
    Graystone ElementarySan Jose · Public Elementary89% Math proficiency · 466 students
  46. 46
    86
    Orinda IntermediateOrinda · Public Middle81% Math proficiency · 822 students
  47. 47
    86
    Saratoga HighSaratoga · Public High90% Math proficiency · 1,161 students
  48. 48
    85
    Wagner Ranch ElementaryOrinda · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 489 students
  49. 49
    85
    Joaquin Miller MiddleSan Jose · Public Middle93% Math proficiency · 1,067 students
  50. 50
    85
    Valentine ElementarySan Marino · Public Elementary91% Math proficiency · 711 students
  51. 51
    85
    Del Rey ElementaryOrinda · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 435 students
  52. 52
    85
    Millikin ElementarySanta Clara · Public Elementary90% Math proficiency · 504 students
  53. 53
    85
    Opal Robinson ElementaryManhattan Beach · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 303 students
  54. 54
    85
    Sunol Glen ElementarySunol · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 240 students
  55. 55
    85
    Carver ElementarySan Marino · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 777 students
  56. 56
    85
    Oak Knoll ElementaryMenlo Park · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 574 students
  57. 57
    85
    Henry M. Gunn HighPalo Alto · Public High82% Math proficiency · 1,643 students
  58. 58
    85
    Silver Spur ElementaryRancho Palos Verdes · Public Elementary91% Math proficiency · 540 students
  59. 59
    85
    Sleepy Hollow ElementaryOrinda · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 399 students
  60. 60
    85
    Glorietta ElementaryOrinda · Public Elementary88% Math proficiency · 445 students
  61. 61
    85
    Happy Valley ElementaryLafayette · Public Elementary89% Math proficiency · 463 students
  62. 62
    85
    Live Oak ElementarySan Ramon · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 438 students
  63. 63
    85
    Lucille M. Nixon ElementaryStanford · Public Elementary83% Math proficiency · 350 students
  64. 64
    85
    M. H. Stanley MiddleLafayette · Public Middle80% Math proficiency · 1,117 students
  65. 65
    85
    Solana Highlands ElementarySan Diego · Public Elementary97.5% Math proficiency · 384 students
  66. 66
    85
    Aurelia Pennekamp ElementaryManhattan Beach · Public Elementary89% Math proficiency · 469 students
  67. 67
    85
    Miller's HillShingle Springs · Public Middle72% Math proficiency · 77 students
  68. 68
    85
    Sam H. Lawson MiddleCupertino · Public Middle87% Math proficiency · 841 students
  69. 69
    85
    Franklin ElementarySanta Monica · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 597 students
  70. 70
    85
    Joaquin Moraga IntermediateMoraga · Public Middle84% Math proficiency · 658 students
  71. 71
    85
    John Baldwin ElementaryDanville · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 439 students
  72. 72
    85
    Murdock-Portal ElementarySan Jose · Public Elementary93% Math proficiency · 551 students
  73. 73
    85
    North Star AcademyRedwood City · Public Middle96% Math proficiency · 527 students
  74. 74
    85
    Palm Crest ElementaryLa Canada · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 642 students
  75. 75
    85
    Roscomare Road ElementaryLos Angeles · Public Elementary92% Math proficiency · 438 students
  76. 76
    85
    Almond ElementaryLos Altos · Public Elementary83% Math proficiency · 354 students
  77. 77
    85
    Burton Valley ElementaryLafayette · Public Elementary88% Math proficiency · 653 students
  78. 78
    85
    Cornerstone at Pedregal ElementaryRancho Palos Verdes · Public Elementary87% Math proficiency · 411 students
  79. 79
    85
    Foothill ElementarySaratoga · Public Elementary82% Math proficiency · 278 students
  80. 80
    85
    Las Lomitas ElementaryAtherton · Public Elementary82% Math proficiency · 522 students
  81. 81
    84
    Carmel Del Mar ElementarySan Diego · Public Elementary89% Math proficiency · 562 students
  82. 82
    84
    Springer ElementaryMountain View · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 365 students
  83. 83
    84
    John F. Kennedy MiddleCupertino · Public Middle90% Math proficiency · 880 students
  84. 84
    84
    Williams ElementarySan Jose · Public Elementary88% Math proficiency · 559 students
  85. 85
    84
    Adaline E. Kent MiddleKentfield · Public Middle68% Math proficiency · 488 students
  86. 86
    84
    Campolindo HighMoraga · Public High84% Math proficiency · 1,340 students
  87. 87
    84
    Piedmont HighPiedmont · Public High82% Math proficiency · 733 students
  88. 88
    84
    Ralston IntermediateBelmont · Public Middle80% Math proficiency · 1,082 students
  89. 89
    84
    Stevens Creek ElementaryCupertino · Public Elementary88% Math proficiency · 407 students
  90. 90
    84
    Thurston MiddleLaguna Beach · Public Middle76% Math proficiency · 524 students
  91. 91
    84
    Amy Imai ElementaryMountain View · Public Elementary86% Math proficiency · 388 students
  92. 92
    84
    Creekside ElementaryDanville · Public Elementary84% Math proficiency · 549 students
  93. 93
    84
    J. M. Amador ElementaryDublin · Public Elementary90% Math proficiency · 909 students
  94. 94
    84
    Roy O. Andersen ElementaryNewport Beach · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 353 students
  95. 95
    84
    Russell Ranch ElementaryFolsom · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 503 students
  96. 96
    84
    Torrey HillsSan Diego · Public Elementary78% Math proficiency · 389 students
  97. 97
    84
    William Faria ElementaryCupertino · Public Elementary97% Math proficiency · 614 students
  98. 98
    84
    Windemere Ranch MiddleSan Ramon · Public Middle88% Math proficiency · 1,011 students
  99. 99
    84
    Cumberland ElementarySunnyvale · Public Elementary82% Math proficiency · 586 students
  100. 100
    84
    Hidden Hills ElementarySan Ramon · Public Elementary85% Math proficiency · 486 students

Woodside Elementary in Woodside leads the 2025 list of traditional public schools in California with a Success Index (US) of 95.1. Of the 100 schools shown, 100 are public.

Scores are percentiles within school type, so a elementary school and a high school with the same score sit at the same point in their own distributions. Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.

Download this table as CSV · free to reuse with attribution to the original sources and Success Tutoring

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best public school in California?

Woodside Elementary in Woodside ranks first among traditional public schools in California with a Success Index (US) of 95.1 out of 100 (Enrollment: 385).

How are traditional public schools in California ranked?

Each school's Success Index (US) combines 4 factors: math proficiency (30%), reading proficiency (30%), community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (25%), students per teacher (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across United States. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.

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.