Best Schools in King City, California
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in King City?
Use this page to compare every school in King City 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.
King City Arts Magnet
Elementary · King City Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
King City High
High · South Monterey County Joint Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Del Rey Elementary
Elementary · King City Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in King City for 2026 are King City Arts Magnet (7.5/10), King City High (7.4/10), and Del Rey Elementary (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$404,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$404,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among King City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in King City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | King City Arts Magnet | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | King City High | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Del Rey Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Chalone Peaks Middle | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Santa Lucia Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Pinnacle Coastal Valley High | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Portola-Butler Continuation High | 3.5 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $72,555
- Median home value
- $404,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How King City compares
California rank
#452 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
73% of California median
Schools in this city
8
King City's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns King City. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: King City Union (4), South Monterey County Joint Union High (3), Bitterwater-Tully Elementary (1).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.5 to 7.5 — the spread is inside King City, not a citywide average.
- King City Union4 public · 50%
- South Monterey County Joint Union High3 public · 38%
- Bitterwater-Tully Elementary1 public · 13%
About Schools in King City, California
King City, California is home to 9 schools, including 8 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in King City 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 King City is King City Arts Magnet with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
King City is served by 3 school districts: Bitterwater-Tully Elementary, South Monterey County Joint Union High, King City Union. These districts collectively serve 5,309 students.
King City's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,555. The poverty rate in the area is 17.5%.
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 | 447 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 617 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 3 | 635 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 |
| 4 | 26 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 853 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,200 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 138 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 59 students · 9th–12th | 3.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in King City
King City, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,555
Median Home Value
$404,000
Median Rent
$1,537/mo
Population
17,124
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Community Profile
King City has a median household income of $72,555. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $404,000, with a median rent of $1,537/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
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 King City, California
How many schools are in King City, California?
King City has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in King City, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in King City is 5.9 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 King City, California?
The top-ranked school in King City on MySchoolScout is King City Arts Magnet with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in King City, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in King City on MySchoolScout is King City Arts Magnet with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in King City, California?
The top-ranked middle school in King City on MySchoolScout is Chalone Peaks Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in King City, California?
The top-ranked high school in King City on MySchoolScout is King City High with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve King City, California?
King City is served by 3 school districts: Bitterwater-Tully Elementary, South Monterey County Joint Union High, King City Union.
What is the education level in King City, California?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in King City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in King City, California?
The median household income in King City is approximately $72,555 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in King City, California?
Yes, King City has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hillsview Christian Academic School with a score of 4.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in King City, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in King City is 21.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in King City, 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
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- 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.