Best Schools in Jackson, California
13 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Jackson?
Use this page to compare every school in Jackson 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.
Argonaut High
High · Amador County Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Star Academy
Other · Amador County Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Independence High (continuation)
High · Amador County Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Jackson for 2026 are Argonaut High (6.7/10), North Star Academy (6.4/10), and Independence High (continuation) (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$470,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$470,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 6.7/10 despite 39% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.8 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 Jackson schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +6.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Jackson schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Jackson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argonaut High | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | North Star Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Independence High (continuation) | 5.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Jackson Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Sutter Creek Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Pioneer Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts | 4.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Jackson Junior High | 4.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Plymouth Elementary | 3.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Pine Grove Elementary Stem Magnet | 3.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Ione Junior High | 3.6 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $85,000
- Median home value
- $470,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Jackson compares
California rank
#552 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.3
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$85k
85% of California median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Jackson, California
Jackson, California is home to 13 schools, including 12 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Jackson show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Jackson is Argonaut High with a composite score of 6.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Jackson is served by 2 school districts: Amador County Unified, Amador County Office of Education. These districts collectively serve 4,096 students.
Jackson's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $85,000. The poverty rate in the area is 7.8%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 428 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 397 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 |
| 3 | 161 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 |
| 4 | 207 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.9 |
| 5 | 273 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 351 students · 6th–8th | 4.4 |
| 2 | 406 students · 6th–8th | 3.6 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 594 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 52 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 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 | Chrystian School of Education
Private
156 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 12 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
| 3 | 9 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Jackson
Jackson, California · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$85,000
Median Home Value
$470,700
Median Rent
$1,384/mo
Population
7,350
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
69%
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Community Profile
Jackson has a median household income of $85,000. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $470,700, with a median rent of $1,384/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 Jackson, California
How many schools are in Jackson, California?
Jackson has 13 schools, including 12 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Jackson, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Jackson is 5.0 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 Jackson, California?
The top-ranked school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Argonaut High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Jackson, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Jackson Elementary with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Jackson, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Jackson Junior High with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best high school in Jackson, California?
The top-ranked high school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Argonaut High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Jackson, California?
Jackson is served by 2 school districts: Amador County Unified, Amador County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Jackson, California?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Jackson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Jackson, California?
The median household income in Jackson is approximately $85,000 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Jackson, California?
Yes, Jackson has 1 private school alongside 12 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Jackson, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Jackson is 25.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Jackson, 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.