Best Schools in Fortuna, California
9 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Fortuna?
Use this page to compare every school in Fortuna 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.
Fortuna Middle
Middle · Fortuna Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Academy of the Redwoods
High · Fortuna Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Fortuna Union High
High · Fortuna Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Fortuna for 2026 are Fortuna Middle (8.3/10), Academy of the Redwoods (7.7/10), and Fortuna Union High (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$362,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$362,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 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 Fortuna schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +6.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Fortuna schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Fortuna
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fortuna Middle | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Academy of the Redwoods | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Fortuna Union High | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Toddy Thomas Middle | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Linell K. Walker Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | East High (continuation) | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Redwood Preparatory Charter | 5.1 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $62,346
- Median home value
- $362,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fortuna compares
California rank
#300 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
63% of California median
Schools in this city
8
Fortuna's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Fortuna. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Fortuna Elementary (4), Fortuna Union High (3), Redwood Preparatory Charter District (1).
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.1 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Fortuna, not a citywide average.
- Fortuna Elementary4 public · 50%
- Fortuna Union High3 public · 38%
- Redwood Preparatory Charter District1 public · 13%
About Schools in Fortuna, California
Fortuna, California is home to 9 schools, including 8 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Fortuna 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 Fortuna is Fortuna Middle with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Fortuna is served by 3 school districts: Fortuna Elementary, Redwood Preparatory Charter District, Fortuna Union High. These districts collectively serve 2,361 students.
Fortuna's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,346. The poverty rate in the area is 16.0%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 258 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.5 |
| 3 | 230 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.1 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 253 students · 7th–8th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 236 students · 5th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 165 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 871 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 47 students · 10th–12th | 5.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Life ChristianPrivate 57 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Fortuna
Fortuna, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,346
Median Home Value
$362,400
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Population
14,641
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Community Profile
Fortuna has a median household income of $62,346. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,400, with a median rent of $1,135/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
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 Fortuna, California
How many schools are in Fortuna, California?
Fortuna has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fortuna, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fortuna is 6.4 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 Fortuna, California?
The top-ranked school in Fortuna on MySchoolScout is Fortuna Middle with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fortuna, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fortuna on MySchoolScout is Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Fortuna, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Fortuna on MySchoolScout is Fortuna Middle with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Fortuna, California?
The top-ranked high school in Fortuna on MySchoolScout is Academy of the Redwoods with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Fortuna, California?
Fortuna is served by 3 school districts: Fortuna Elementary, Redwood Preparatory Charter District, Fortuna Union High.
What is the education level in Fortuna, California?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Fortuna have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fortuna, California?
The median household income in Fortuna is approximately $62,346 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fortuna, California?
Yes, Fortuna has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fortuna, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fortuna is 17.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fortuna, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.