Best Schools in Avenal, California
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Avenal?
Use this page to compare every school in Avenal 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.
Reef Sunset Middle
Middle · Reef-sunset Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Avenal High
High · Reef-sunset Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Avenal Elementary
Elementary · Reef-sunset Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Avenal for 2026 are Reef Sunset Middle (6.1/10), Avenal High (5.4/10), and Avenal Elementary (4.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$224,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$224,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +0.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Avenal schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Avenal
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reef Sunset Middle | 6.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Avenal High | 5.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Avenal Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Tamarack Elementary | 4.8 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $52,986
- Median home value
- $224,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 4%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 45%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Avenal compares
California rank
#514 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$53k
53% of California median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Avenal, California
Avenal, California is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Avenal show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Avenal is Reef Sunset Middle with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Avenal is served by 1 school district: Reef-Sunset Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,687 students.
Avenal's community shows 4% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,986. The poverty rate in the area is 22.1%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 646 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 |
| 2 | 456 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 562 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 750 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 20 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 3 | 10 students · 6th–12th | — |
Schools in Avenal
Avenal, California · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,986
Median Home Value
$224,800
Median Rent
$1,060/mo
Population
13,441
College Educated
4%
Homeownership
45%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
22.1%
Community Profile
Avenal has a median household income of $52,986. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,800, with a median rent of $1,060/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Avenal, California
How many schools are in Avenal, California?
Avenal has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Avenal, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Avenal is 5.3 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 Avenal, California?
The top-ranked school in Avenal on MySchoolScout is Reef Sunset Middle with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Avenal, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Avenal on MySchoolScout is Avenal Elementary with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Avenal, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Avenal on MySchoolScout is Reef Sunset Middle with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Avenal, California?
The top-ranked high school in Avenal on MySchoolScout is Avenal High with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Avenal, California?
Avenal is served by 1 school district: Reef-sunset Unified.
What is the education level in Avenal, California?
According to Census data, 4% of adults in Avenal have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Avenal, California?
The median household income in Avenal is approximately $52,986 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Avenal, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Avenal is 22.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Avenal, 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 Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.