Best Schools in Auburn, California
22 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 8 High · 7 Other
Choosing a school in Auburn?
Use this page to compare every school in Auburn by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Placer High
High · Placer Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Placer County Pathways Charter
Other · Placer County Office of Education. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ev Cain Middle
Middle · Auburn Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Auburn for 2026 are Placer High (7.3/10), Placer County Pathways Charter (6.6/10), and Ev Cain Middle (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
22
11 public · 11 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$630,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
22
11 public · 11 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$630,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 7.3/10 despite 30% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Auburn schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +17.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Auburn schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Auburn
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 rated schools; 22 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Placer High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Placer County Pathways Charter | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Ev Cain Middle | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Bowman Charter | 5.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Auburn Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Skyridge Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Placer County Special Education | 4.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Maidu Virtual Charter Academy | 4.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Confluence Continuation High | 3.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $91,457
- Median home value
- $630,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
15% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Auburn compares
California rank
#530 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$91k
92% of California median
Schools in this city
13
Auburn's public schools split across 4 districts
No single ISD owns Auburn. The public campuses divide among 4 districts.
The largest shares: Placer County Office of Education (4), Auburn Union Elementary (3), Placer Union High (3).
Among 9 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 7.3 — the spread is inside Auburn, not a citywide average.
- Placer County Office of Education4 public · 36%
- Auburn Union Elementary3 public · 27%
- Placer Union High3 public · 27%
- Ackerman Charter1 public · 9%
About Schools in Auburn, California
Auburn, California is home to 22 schools, including 11 public schools and 11 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 8 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Auburn show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Auburn is Placer High with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Auburn is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 6,440 students.
Auburn's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $91,457. The poverty rate in the area is 10.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 603 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | 547 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 427 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Joseph Catholic SchoolPrivate 242 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Legacy Christian SchoolPrivate 110 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 120 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 472 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,303 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 115 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 3 | 100 students · 10th–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Forest Lake Christian SchoolPrivate 166 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Advance AcademyPrivate 6 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Little AlchemistPrivate 9 students · 1st–9th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Bright Beginnings AcademyPrivate 16 students · 10th–10th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Global SchoolonePrivate 9 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 295 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 84 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 18 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 4 | 13 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pine Hills Adventist AcademyPrivate 146 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 25 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | SchooltoolzPrivate 6 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Auburn
Auburn, California · 22 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$91,457
Median Home Value
$630,400
Median Rent
$1,591/mo
Population
47,443
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Community Profile
Auburn has a median household income of $91,457. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $630,400, with a median rent of $1,591/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 8
- Other
- 7
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Auburn, California
How many schools are in Auburn, California?
Auburn has 22 schools, including 11 public and 11 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Auburn, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Auburn is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Auburn, California?
The top-ranked school in Auburn on MySchoolScout is Placer High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Auburn, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Auburn on MySchoolScout is Bowman Charter with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Auburn, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Auburn on MySchoolScout is Ev Cain Middle with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Auburn, California?
The top-ranked high school in Auburn on MySchoolScout is Placer High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Auburn, California?
Auburn is served by 4 school districts: Ackerman Charter, Auburn Union Elementary, Placer Union High, Placer County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Auburn, California?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Auburn have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Auburn, California?
The median household income in Auburn is approximately $91,457 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Auburn, California?
Yes, Auburn has 11 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Pine Hills Adventist Academy with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Auburn, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Auburn is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Auburn, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.