Best Elementary Schools
in Sacramento, California
We ranked the 136 elementary schools in Sacramento with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.1 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Sacramento for 2026 are Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary (9.2/10), William Land Elementary (9.2/10), and Caleb Greenwood Elementary (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 136 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Sacramento?
Every elementary school in Sacramento is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
William Land Elementary
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Caleb Greenwood Elementary
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Sacramento's elementary school landscape spans 120 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to evaluate. The average composite score across those schools sits at 5.9 out of 10, but the top tier pulls well above that — William Land Elementary leads at 9.0, with Foothill Oaks Elementary, Sol Aureus College Preparatory, and Genevieve Didion each close behind at 8.7. Thirty-five schools score 7 or higher, meaning roughly one in four ranked schools clears that bar — a solid share for a metro this size. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the right fit for your child. Scores reflect a composite of academic performance data, so use them as a starting point alongside factors like commute, program focus, and enrollment availability.
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary
William Land Elementary
Caleb Greenwood Elementary
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Sacramento's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 136 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary Charter Natomas Unified | 9.2 |
| 2 | William Land Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 9.2 |
| 3 | Caleb Greenwood Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 8.8 |
| 4 | Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 8.6 |
| 5 | Leonardo Da Vinci Sacramento City Unified | 8.6 |
| 6 | Sol Aureus College Preparatory Charter Sol Aureus College Preparatory District | 8.5 |
| 7 | David Lubin Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 8.4 |
| 8 | Crocker/riverside Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 8.4 |
| 9 | Garden Valley Elementary Twin Rivers Unified | 8.3 |
| 10 | Brookfield School | 8.3 |
| 11 | Arnold Adreani Elementary Elk Grove Unified | 8.1 |
| 12 | Genevieve Didion Sacramento City Unified | 8.0 |
| 13 | The Language Academy of Sacramento Charter The Language Academy of Sacramento District | 7.9 |
| 14 | Camellia Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 7.9 |
| 15 | Larry G. Meeks Academy Natomas Unified | 7.8 |
| 16 | Theodore Judah Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 7.8 |
| 17 | Foothill Oaks Elementary Twin Rivers Unified | 7.7 |
| 18 | Merryhill School Calvine | 7.7 |
| 19 | New Hope Charter Charter New Hope Charter District | 7.6 |
| 20 | Sutterville Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 7.6 |
| 21 | Growth Public Charter Growth Public District | 7.5 |
| 22 | California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus Charter California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus District | 7.5 |
| 23 | Washington Elementary Sacramento City Unified | 7.5 |
| 24 | Shalom School | 7.4 |
| 25 | Pioneer Elementary Twin Rivers Unified | 7.1 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Sacramento
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Sacramento's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Sacramento
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Sacramento's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 155 schools spanning 32 school districts, plus 14 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Sacramento, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in Sacramento with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Sacramento, California?
Sacramento has 155 elementary schools, including 14 charter schools. Of these, 136 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Sacramento?
The average composite score for Sacramento elementary schools is 5.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within California, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Sacramento elementary school rankings?
Yes. Sacramento has 14 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.