Best Schools in Big Bear Lake, California
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Big Bear Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Big Bear Lake 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.
Big Bear High
High · Bear Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Shore Elementary
Elementary · Bear Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Big Bear Middle
Middle · Bear Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Big Bear Lake for 2026 are Big Bear High (6.9/10), North Shore Elementary (6.2/10), and Big Bear Middle (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$538,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$538,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +2.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Big Bear Lake schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Big Bear Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Bear High | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | North Shore Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Big Bear Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Baldwin Lane Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Chautauqua High (continuation) | 4.2 / 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
- $79,293
- Median home value
- $538,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Big Bear Lake compares
California rank
#482 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
80% of California median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake, California is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Big Bear Lake 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 Big Bear Lake is Big Bear High with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Big Bear Lake is served by 1 school district: Bear Valley Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,132 students.
Big Bear Lake's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,293. The poverty rate in the area is 9.1%.
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 | 516 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 390 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 494 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 626 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 36 students · 8th–12th | 4.2 |
Schools in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,293
Median Home Value
$538,200
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
Population
5,215
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
69%
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Community Profile
Big Bear Lake has a median household income of $79,293. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $538,200, with a median rent of $1,278/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
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 Big Bear Lake, California
How many schools are in Big Bear Lake, California?
Big Bear Lake has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Big Bear Lake, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Big Bear Lake 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 Big Bear Lake, California?
The top-ranked school in Big Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Big Bear High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Big Bear Lake, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Big Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is North Shore Elementary with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Big Bear Lake, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Big Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Big Bear Middle with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Big Bear Lake, California?
The top-ranked high school in Big Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Big Bear High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Big Bear Lake, California?
Big Bear Lake is served by 1 school district: Bear Valley Unified.
What is the education level in Big Bear Lake, California?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Big Bear Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Big Bear Lake, California?
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is approximately $79,293 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Big Bear Lake, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Big Bear Lake is 24.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Big Bear Lake, 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
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, 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.