The brief
The top-rated high schools in Sacramento for 2026 are Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High (7.8/10), Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (7.7/10), and Valley High (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 43 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 17.8
- 27.7
- 37.6
- 47.6
- 57.5
- 67.3
- 77.2
- 87.0
- 96.9
- 106.8
All 43 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 43
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions HighSacramento City Unifiedstudents 185student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Natomas Pacific Pathways PrepcharterNatomas Unifiedstudents 623student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Valley HighElk Grove Unifiedstudents 1,629student-teacher ratio 19.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 4West CampusSacramento City Unifiedstudents 881student-teacher ratio 27.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Sheldon HighElk Grove Unifiedstudents 2,415student-teacher ratio 23.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 6Grant Union HighTwin Rivers Unifiedstudents 2,016student-teacher ratio 21.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 7Vista Nueva Career and Technology HighTwin Rivers Unifiedstudents 134student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Rio Americano HighSan Juan Unifiedstudents 1,867student-teacher ratio 24.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Inderkum HighNatomas Unifiedstudents 2,242student-teacher ratio 24.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 10George Washington Carver School of Arts and SciencecharterSacramento City Unifiedstudents 178student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Leroy Greene AcademycharterNatomas Unifiedstudents 740student-teacher ratio 20.0:1grades 6th–12th
- 12Umoja International AcademySacramento City Unifiedstudents 490student-teacher ratio 19.6:1grades 7th–12th
- 13C. K. Mcclatchy HighSacramento City Unifiedstudents 2,481student-teacher ratio 25.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 14EL Camino Fundamental HighSan Juan Unifiedstudents 1,296student-teacher ratio 23.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Natomas HighNatomas Unifiedstudents 1,206student-teacher ratio 21.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 16Foothill HighTwin Rivers Unifiedstudents 1,289student-teacher ratio 22.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Futures HighcharterFutures High Districtstudents 475student-teacher ratio 25.0:1grades 7th–12th
- 18Florin HighElk Grove Unifiedstudents 1,663student-teacher ratio 19.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Rio Cazadero High (continuation)Elk Grove Unifiedstudents 149student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 20School of Engineering & SciencesSacramento City Unifiedstudents 532student-teacher ratio 26.6:1grades 7th–12th
- 21Sacramento Charter HighcharterSacramento Charter High Districtstudents 355student-teacher ratio 18.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Sava - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy - ScusdcharterSava - Sacramento Acad and Vocational Acad - Scusd Diststudents 701student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 7th–12th
- 23Discovery HighNatomas Unifiedstudents 128student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 24Sava - Sacramento Academic and Vocational AcademycharterSava - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy Districtstudents 196student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 7th–12th
- 25The MetcharterSacramento City Unifiedstudents 221student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High
Sacramento City Unified
185 students · 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 18% in California
- Academics
- 6.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.1
- 2
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep
Natomas Unified
623 students · 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 18% in California · charter
- Academics
- 8.3
- Growth
- 5.5
- Environment
- 9.1
- 3
Valley High
Elk Grove Unified
1,629 students · 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 21% in California
- Academics
- 7.1
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 7.0
- 4
West Campus
Sacramento City Unified
881 students · 27.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 22% in California
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 5.1
- Environment
- 5.8
- 5
Sheldon High
Elk Grove Unified
2,415 students · 23.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 23% in California
- Academics
- 7.2
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 6.4
- 6
Grant Union High
Twin Rivers Unified
2,016 students · 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 27% in California
- Academics
- 7.2
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 6.3
- 7
Vista Nueva Career and Technology High
Twin Rivers Unified
134 students · 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 29% in California
- Academics
- 3.0
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.9
- 8
Rio Americano High
San Juan Unified
1,867 students · 24.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 36% in California
- Academics
- 6.8
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 4.1
- 9
Inderkum High
Natomas Unified
2,242 students · 24.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 36% in California
- Academics
- 6.3
- Growth
- 6.8
- Environment
- 4.1
- 10
George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science
Sacramento City Unified
178 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 41% in California · charter
- Academics
- 4.6
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.6
Questions
What is the best high school in Sacramento, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High is the top-rated high school in Sacramento with a composite score of 7.8/10. 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 80 high schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 46 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Sacramento?
Among 46 Sacramento high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive 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?
Sacramento has 10 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Sacramento2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Sacramento2026 rankings and ratings
- All 282 schools in SacramentoElementary, middle and high
- California schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings