Best Schools in Imperial, California
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Imperial?
Use this page to compare every school in Imperial 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.
T. L. Waggoner Elementary
Elementary · Imperial Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Imperial Cross Elementary
Elementary · Imperial Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Frank M. Wright Middle
Middle · Imperial Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Imperial for 2026 are T. L. Waggoner Elementary (7.7/10), Imperial Cross Elementary (7.4/10), and Frank M. Wright Middle (6.6/10), 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
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$350,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$350,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +12.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Imperial schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Imperial
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T. L. Waggoner Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Imperial Cross Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Frank M. Wright Middle | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Imperial High | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Ben Hulse Elementary | 4.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Imperial Ave. Holbrook High | 4.3 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $83,709
- Median home value
- $350,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Imperial compares
California rank
#425 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$84k
84% of California median
Schools in this city
7
Imperial Unified runs Imperial's public schools
6 public schools. Imperial Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Imperial is a Imperial Unified school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 7.7 — the spread is inside Imperial, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Imperial, California
Imperial, California is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Imperial 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 Imperial is T. L. Waggoner Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Imperial is served by 1 school district: Imperial Unified. These districts collectively serve 4,672 students.
Imperial's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $83,709. The poverty rate in the area is 13.3%.
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 | 594 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 748 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 826 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Faith AcademyPrivate 106 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,077 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,378 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 49 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 8 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 8 students · 2nd–10th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Imperial
Imperial, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$83,709
Median Home Value
$350,100
Median Rent
$1,378/mo
Population
27,197
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Community Profile
Imperial has a median household income of $83,709. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,100, with a median rent of $1,378/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
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 Imperial, California
How many schools are in Imperial, California?
Imperial has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Imperial, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Imperial is 6.0 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 Imperial, California?
The top-ranked school in Imperial on MySchoolScout is T. L. Waggoner Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Imperial, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Imperial on MySchoolScout is T. L. Waggoner Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Imperial, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Imperial on MySchoolScout is Frank M. Wright Middle with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Imperial, California?
The top-ranked high school in Imperial on MySchoolScout is Imperial High with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Imperial, California?
Imperial is served by 1 school district: Imperial Unified.
What is the education level in Imperial, California?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Imperial have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Imperial, California?
The median household income in Imperial is approximately $83,709 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Imperial, California?
Yes, Imperial has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Faith Academy with a score of 5.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Imperial, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Imperial is 20.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Imperial, 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.