Best High Schools
in Sacramento, California
We ranked the 48 high schools in Sacramento with real test data. The top 25 scored between 5.9 and 8.3 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Sacramento for 2026 are Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (8.3/10), West Campus (8.1/10), and San Juan Choices Charter (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 48 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Sacramento?
Every high 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
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
West Campus
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
San Juan Choices Charter
Sacramento, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Sacramento's 43 ranked high schools span a wide range of quality, with composite scores running from well below average up to West Campus at 8.4 out of 10 — the metro's top performer by a clear margin. The district average sits at 5.8, meaning strong options exist but require some searching. Only 5 schools, or about 12% of the ranked pool, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, so the gap between the top tier and the middle of the pack is real and worth paying attention to. West Campus leads the list, followed by Umoja International Academy, Luther Burbank High, and Mira Loma High. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the right fit for your student. Use the filters to narrow by location or performance range and zero in on schools that match your priorities.
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep
West Campus
San Juan Choices Charter
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Sacramento's High 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 48 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Charter Natomas Unified | 8.3 |
| 2 | West Campus Sacramento City Unified | 8.1 |
| 3 | San Juan Choices Charter Charter San Juan Unified | 7.6 |
| 4 | Discovery High Natomas Unified | 7.5 |
| 5 | Umoja International Academy Sacramento City Unified | 7.4 |
| 6 | The Met Charter Sacramento City Unified | 7.4 |
| 7 | Inderkum High Natomas Unified | 7.2 |
| 8 | Leroy Greene Academy Charter Natomas Unified | 7.1 |
| 9 | Sierra School | 7.1 |
| 10 | Sierra Upper School of Sacrament0 | 7.1 |
| 11 | Vista Nueva Career and Technology High Twin Rivers Unified | 6.9 |
| 12 | Mira Loma High San Juan Unified | 6.9 |
| 13 | Sheldon High Elk Grove Unified | 6.8 |
| 14 | Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High Sacramento City Unified | 6.8 |
| 15 | Grant Union High Twin Rivers Unified | 6.7 |
| 16 | New Technology High Charter Sacramento City Unified | 6.6 |
| 17 | Calvine High Elk Grove Unified | 6.4 |
| 18 | American Legion High (continuation) Sacramento City Unified | 6.4 |
| 19 | Valley High Elk Grove Unified | 6.2 |
| 20 | St Francis Catholic High School | 6.2 |
| 21 | Natomas High Natomas Unified | 6.0 |
| 22 | School of Engineering & Sciences Sacramento City Unified | 6.0 |
| 23 | Sava - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy - Scusd Charter SAVA - Sacramento ACAD and Vocational Acad - SCUSD DIST | 5.9 |
| 24 | Florin High Elk Grove Unified | 5.9 |
| 25 | Luther Burbank High Sacramento City Unified | 5.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High 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 High Schools
Choosing the Right High 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 high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 71 schools spanning 32 school districts, plus 10 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 high school in Sacramento, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep is the top-rated high school in Sacramento with a composite score of 8.3/10. 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 high schools are in Sacramento, California?
Sacramento has 71 high schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 48 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Sacramento?
The average composite score for Sacramento high schools is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate high 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 high school rankings?
Yes. Sacramento has 10 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.