Best Schools in Chico, California
44 schools · 25 Elementary · 3 Middle · 11 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Chico?
Use this page to compare every school in Chico 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.
Sierra View Elementary
Elementary · Chico Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Core Butte Charter
Other · Core Butte Charter District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sherwood Montessori
Elementary · Sherwood Montessori District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chico for 2026 are Sierra View Elementary (9.0/10), Core Butte Charter (8.8/10), and Sherwood Montessori (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 34 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
44
33 public · 11 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$474,700
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Schools
44
33 public · 11 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$474,700
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Rates 8.8/10 despite 58% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 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 Chico schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +10.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Chico schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Chico
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (34 of 44). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra View Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Core Butte Charter | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Sherwood Montessori | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Nord Country | 8.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences | 8.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Parkview Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Neal Dow Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Hooker Oak Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Rosedale Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Little Chico Creek Elementary | 7.8 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $73,304
- Median home value
- $474,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
44% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chico compares
California rank
#245 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
74% of California median
Schools in this city
34
About Schools in Chico, California
Chico's public school system spans 31 ranked schools with an average score of 6.6 out of 10 — a solid baseline that sits comfortably in the middle tier statewide. The spread matters here: 12 of those 31 schools, or 39%, score 7 or higher, meaning parents willing to research specific campuses have real options across the city rather than being concentrated in a single pocket of strong performance.
At the top, Neal Dow Elementary leads with a 9.3 out of 10, making it one of the strongest elementary schools in the region. Sherwood Montessori follows at 8.6, offering a structured alternative learning model for families drawn to that approach. Little Chico Creek Elementary (8.4), Citrus Avenue Elementary (8.1), and Nord Country (8.0) round out the top five, all scoring well above the city average. The concentration of high performers at the elementary level is a pattern worth noting — families entering the system at kindergarten have the most options for landing in a top-rated school.
The 6.6 city average reflects the full range across Chico's schools. With 39% of schools clearing the 7-plus threshold, the top tier is accessible but not automatic — school selection and attendance boundaries will matter to families prioritizing academics. Parents researching middle and high school options should pay particular attention to individual school scores rather than relying on city-wide averages, since the variance across Chico's 31 schools is meaningful.
Practically speaking, Chico rewards parents who do the homework. The gap between Neal Dow's 9.3 and the city average of 6.6 is nearly three full points — large enough to have real consequences for a child's academic trajectory. Start by identifying which schools serve your address, then compare individual scores against the 6.6 baseline. If your neighborhood school scores above 7, you're already in the stronger tier. If not, Chico's open enrollment policies may be worth exploring. The presence of a Montessori option among the top-rated schools also gives families a structural choice, not just a geographic one.
Elementary Schools
25 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 469 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 114 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 213 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 423 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 339 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 299 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 7 | 555 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 455 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 9 | 171 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 |
| 10 | 383 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
Show all 25 elementary schools in Chico
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 764 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 931 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 1,010 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 357 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,873 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 1,922 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 114 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 5 | 106 students · 6th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 20 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 7 | 17 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Time4learning-torres
Private
62 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Proverbs 9:9 Academy
Private
7 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 3 | Pleasant Valley Baptist Schools
Private
31 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Chico
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 898 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 39 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 3 | 85 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 141 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pleasant Valley Baptist School
Private
25 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
Schools in Chico
Chico, California · 44 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,304
Median Home Value
$474,700
Median Rent
$1,461/mo
Population
117,653
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
20.1%
Community Profile
Chico has a median household income of $73,304. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,700, with a median rent of $1,461/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 25
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 11
- Other
- 5
Resources
School Districts (12)
Pivot Charter School North Valley II District
1 school · 106 students
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District
1 school · 357 students
Chico Country Day District
1 school · 574 students
CORE Butte Charter District
1 school · 898 students
Sherwood Montessori District
1 school · 114 students
Nord Country District
1 school · 213 students
Achieve Charter School of Paradise Inc. District
1 school · 141 students
Blue Oak Charter District
1 school · 232 students
Wildflower Open Classroom District
1 school · 171 students
Achieve Charter School of Chico District
1 school · 215 students
Chico Unified
22 schools · 12,317 students
Butte County Office of Education
7 schools · 388 students
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 Chico, California
How many schools are in Chico, California?
Chico has 44 schools, including 33 public and 11 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chico, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chico is 6.6 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 Chico, California?
The top-ranked school in Chico on MySchoolScout is Sierra View Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chico, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chico on MySchoolScout is Sierra View Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Chico, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Chico on MySchoolScout is Marsh (harry M.) Junior High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Chico, California?
The top-ranked high school in Chico on MySchoolScout is Inspire School of Arts and Sciences with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Chico, California?
Chico is served by 12 school districts: Pivot Charter School North Valley II District, Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District, Chico Country Day District, Core Butte Charter District, Sherwood Montessori District, Nord Country District, Achieve Charter School of Paradise Inc. District, Blue Oak Charter District, Wildflower Open Classroom District, Achieve Charter School of Chico District, Chico Unified, Butte County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Chico, California?
According to Census data, 42% of adults in Chico have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chico, California?
The median household income in Chico is approximately $73,304 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chico, California?
Yes, Chico has 11 private schools alongside 33 public schools. The top-rated private school is Chico Oaks Adventist School with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chico, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chico is 18.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chico, 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.