Best Schools in Coalinga, California
10 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Coalinga?
Use this page to compare every school in Coalinga 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.
Nell Dawson Elementary
Elementary · Coalinga-Huron Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sunset Elementary
Elementary · Coalinga-Huron Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Coalinga Middle
Middle · Coalinga-Huron Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Coalinga for 2026 are Nell Dawson Elementary (7.6/10), Sunset Elementary (6.4/10), and Coalinga Middle (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$258,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$258,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Coalinga schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Coalinga
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 10 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nell Dawson Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Sunset Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Coalinga Middle | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Cambridge High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Coalinga High | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Chesnut High (continuation) | 4.5 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $77,850
- Median home value
- $258,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
11% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Coalinga compares
California rank
#379 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$78k
78% of California median
Schools in this city
9
Coalinga-Huron Unified runs Coalinga's public schools
9 public schools. Coalinga-Huron Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Coalinga is a Coalinga-Huron Unified school (9 of 9).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.5 to 7.6 — the spread is inside Coalinga, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Coalinga, California
Coalinga, California is home to 10 schools, including 9 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Coalinga 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 Coalinga is Nell Dawson Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Coalinga is served by 1 school district: Coalinga-Huron Unified. These districts collectively serve 4,382 students.
Coalinga's community shows 12% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,850. The poverty rate in the area is 21.7%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 440 students · 1st–3rd | 7.6 |
| 2 | 73 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 6.8 |
| 3 | 411 students · 4th–5th | 6.4 |
| 4 | 404 students · Kindergarten–1st | 5.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 675 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 1,232 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
| 3 | 34 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
| 4 | 5 students · 7th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faith Christian AcademyPrivate 79 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Coalinga
Coalinga, California · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$77,850
Median Home Value
$258,300
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
Population
18,975
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Community Profile
Coalinga has a median household income of $77,850. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,300, with a median rent of $1,034/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Coalinga, California
How many schools are in Coalinga, California?
Coalinga has 10 schools, including 9 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Coalinga, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Coalinga is 6.1 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 Coalinga, California?
The top-ranked school in Coalinga on MySchoolScout is Nell Dawson Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Coalinga, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Coalinga on MySchoolScout is Nell Dawson Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Coalinga, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Coalinga on MySchoolScout is Coalinga Middle with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Coalinga, California?
The top-ranked high school in Coalinga on MySchoolScout is Cambridge High with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Coalinga, California?
Coalinga is served by 1 school district: Coalinga-Huron Unified.
What is the education level in Coalinga, California?
According to Census data, 12% of adults in Coalinga have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Coalinga, California?
The median household income in Coalinga is approximately $77,850 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Coalinga, California?
Yes, Coalinga has 1 private school alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Faith Christian Academy with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Coalinga, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Coalinga is 16.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Coalinga, 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.