Best Schools in Fresno, California
215 schools · 129 Elementary · 21 Middle · 47 High · 18 Other
Choosing a school in Fresno?
Use this page to compare every school in Fresno 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.
Baird Middle
Middle · Fresno Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Edison Computech
Middle · Fresno Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Fresno Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Fresno for 2026 are Baird Middle (9.2/10), Edison Computech (9.1/10), and Jefferson Elementary (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 176 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
215
180 public · 35 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$342,978
home value · ACS
Districts
30
serving the city
Schools
215
180 public · 35 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$342,978
home value · ACS
Districts
30
serving the city
Rates 9.1/10 despite 73% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Fresno schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Fresno schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Fresno
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 176 rated schools; 215 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baird Middle | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Edison Computech | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Jefferson Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Morris E. Dailey Charter Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Monroe Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Erma Duncan Polytechnical High | 8.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Ezekiel Balderas Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Edith B. Storey Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Akira Yokomi Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Sequoia Elementary | 8.5 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $71,108
- Median home value
- $342,978
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
39% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fresno compares
California rank
#256 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$71k
71% of California median
Schools in this city
185
Education Snapshot
Fresno, CaliforniaFresno operates 216 schools across 30 districts, enrolling roughly 124,002 students — a scale that places it among California's largest urban school systems. The level mix tilts sharply toward elementary: 127 of the 216 schools serve lower grades, compared to 52 high schools and 21 middle schools, with 16 alternative or combined campuses rounding out the total. Across 182 scored schools, the city's average MySchoolScout composite rating reaches 6.4/10, edging above the California state average of 6.3/10 — a positive result given Fresno's significant economic gap with the rest of the state. The city's median household income of $69,861 sits 34% below the California state median of $105,206, and just 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty charter schools operate alongside traditional district campuses, giving families an alternative footprint within this large, diverse system.
30 districts draw attendance lines through Fresno
Fresno is not one school system. 30 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 56% of the public campuses.
Fresno Unified is the largest slice at 100 of 180 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Fresno address is choosing a district first.
Among 176 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.5 to 9.2 — the spread is inside Fresno, not a citywide average.
20 of the 180 public schools are charters (11%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Fresno Unified100 public · 56%
- Central Unified24 public · 13%
- Clovis Unified18 public · 10%
- Washington Unified6 public · 3%
- Sanger Unified4 public · 2%
About Schools in Fresno, California
Fresno's public school system is one of California's largest, with 175 ranked public schools spread across a sprawling inland city. The district landscape includes multiple operators — Fresno Unified being the dominant district — alongside several independent charter operators serving distinct neighborhoods. Parents will find genuine range here: from high-performing elementaries in the northwest to lower-scoring schools in parts of central and southeast Fresno.
The city average sits at 6.5 out of 10, which places Fresno in the middle tier among California's major urban systems. The encouraging signal is that 70 schools — 40% of all ranked public schools — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across grade levels if parents are willing to research boundaries or pursue interdistrict transfers. The top-rated school, Sunset Elementary, earns a 9.1, making it one of the higher-scoring public elementaries in the Central Valley. Close behind are Edith B. Storey Elementary at 9.0 and Easterby Elementary at 8.9, with Jefferson Elementary and Erma Duncan Polytechnical High both at 8.8. That cluster of high-performing elementaries is a meaningful pattern: Fresno's strongest results concentrate at the K-5 level, though Erma Duncan Polytechnical shows that selective high school options exist as well.
For parents focused on elementary placement, the northwest corridor produces the most consistent scores. Middle school performance is more uneven citywide, so parents of rising fifth graders should investigate feeder patterns carefully before assuming a strong elementary guarantees a strong continuation path. At the high school level, Erma Duncan Polytechnical stands out as the clear top performer among ranked high schools, offering a career-technical focus that suits students who know their direction early.
Practical advice: use school boundaries as a starting point, not a ceiling. Fresno Unified and several charter networks offer open enrollment periods, and a 6.5 city average means the gap between a neighborhood default and a top-40% school can be significant. Pull ratings, check API or test proficiency data for the specific grade your child will enter, and attend school information nights before enrollment deadlines in late winter.
Elementary Schools
129 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 422 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 322 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 152 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 640 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.6 |
| 5 | 547 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 |
| 6 | 701 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 |
| 7 | 692 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 |
| 8 | 636 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 |
| 9 | 844 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 |
| 10 | 423 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 |
Show all 129 elementary schools in Fresno
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
21 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 603 students · 5th–8th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 818 students · 7th–8th | 9.1 |
| 3 | 801 students · 7th–8th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 1,177 students · 7th–8th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 915 students · 7th–8th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 1,191 students · 7th–8th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 802 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 |
| 8 | 552 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 9 | 711 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 |
| 10 | 659 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 |
Show all 21 middle schools in Fresno
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
47 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,186 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 2,432 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 2,400 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 4 | 2,021 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 227 students · 7th–12th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 2,045 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 7 | 2,749 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 242 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 2,162 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 10 | 268 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Show all 47 high schools in Fresno
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
18 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 157 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 1,266 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 |
| 3 | 302 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.6 |
| 4 | 2,697 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 5 | 172 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 6 | 335 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.6 |
| 7 | 362 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 |
| 8 | 571 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 |
| 9 | 307 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 |
| 10 | 1,252 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 |
Show all 18 other schools in Fresno
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Fresno
Fresno, California · 215 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 20 ZIP codes
Median Income
$71,108
Median Home Value
$342,978
Median Rent
$1,373/mo
Population
617,687
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Community Profile
Fresno has a median household income of $71,108. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,978, with a median rent of $1,373/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 129
- Middle
- 21
- High
- 47
- Other
- 18
Resources
School Districts (30)
Washington Unified
7 schools · 2,450 students
Edison-Bethune Charter Academy District
1 school · 420 students
Sierra Charter District
1 school · 362 students
Crescent View West Public Charter District
1 school · 1,580 students
Aspen Valley Prep Academy District
1 school · 347 students
Kepler Neighborhood District
1 school · 307 students
Big Picture Educational Academy District
1 school · 550 students
University High District
1 school · 484 students
Career Technical Education Charter District
1 school · 247 students
School of Unlimited Learning District
1 school · 209 students
Ambassador Phillip V. Sanchez II Public Charter District
1 school · 307 students
W.E.B. DuBois Public Charter District
1 school · 302 students
Carter G. Woodson Public Charter District
1 school · 333 students
Crescent View South II District
1 school · 1,252 students
Aspen Meadow Public District
1 school · 296 students
Yosemite Valley Charter District
1 school · 2,697 students
Endeavor Charter District
1 school · 335 students
Golden Charter Academy District
1 school · 319 students
Aspen Ridge Public District
1 school · 227 students
Central Unified
25 schools · 15,956 students
Clovis Unified
50 schools · 43,291 students
Fowler Unified
9 schools · 2,523 students
Fresno Unified
101 schools · 68,568 students
Monroe Elementary
1 school · 152 students
Orange Center
1 school · 248 students
Pacific Union Elementary
1 school · 345 students
Sanger Unified
20 schools · 13,250 students
Washington Colony Elementary
1 school · 434 students
West Park Elementary
2 schools · 469 students
Fresno County Office of Education
4 schools · 706 students
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
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 Fresno, California
How many schools are in Fresno, California?
Fresno has 215 schools, including 180 public and 35 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fresno, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fresno is 6.5 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 Fresno, California?
The top-ranked school in Fresno on MySchoolScout is Baird Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fresno, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fresno on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Fresno, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Fresno on MySchoolScout is Baird Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best high school in Fresno, California?
The top-ranked high school in Fresno on MySchoolScout is Erma Duncan Polytechnical High with a composite score of 8.6/10.
How many school districts serve Fresno, California?
Fresno is served by 30 school districts: Washington Unified, Edison-Bethune Charter Academy District, Sierra Charter District, Crescent View West Public Charter District, Aspen Valley Prep Academy District, Kepler Neighborhood District, Big Picture Educational Academy District, University High District, Career Technical Education Charter District, School of Unlimited Learning District, Ambassador Phillip V. Sanchez II Public Charter District, W.e.b. Dubois Public Charter District, Carter G. Woodson Public Charter District, Crescent View South II District, Aspen Meadow Public District, Yosemite Valley Charter District, Endeavor Charter District, Golden Charter Academy District, Aspen Ridge Public District, Central Unified, Clovis Unified, Fowler Unified, Fresno Unified, Monroe Elementary, Orange Center, Pacific Union Elementary, Sanger Unified, Washington Colony Elementary, West Park Elementary, Fresno County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Fresno, California?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Fresno have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fresno, California?
The median household income in Fresno is approximately $71,108 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fresno, California?
Yes, Fresno has 35 private schools alongside 180 public schools. The top-rated private school is Carden School of Fresno with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fresno, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fresno is 18.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fresno, 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.