Best Schools in La Palma, California
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in La Palma?
Use this page to compare every school in La Palma 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.
John F. Kennedy High
High · Anaheim Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Walker Junior High
Middle · Anaheim Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Steve Luther Elementary
Elementary · Cypress Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in La Palma for 2026 are John F. Kennedy High (7.2/10), Walker Junior High (7.2/10), and Steve Luther Elementary (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$920,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$920,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among La Palma schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in La Palma
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John F. Kennedy High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Walker Junior High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Steve Luther Elementary | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Los Coyotes Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | George B. Miller Elementary | 5.9 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $112,366
- Median home value
- $920,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How La Palma compares
California rank
#139 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$112k
113% of California median
Schools in this city
6
La Palma's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns La Palma. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Anaheim Union High (2), Centralia Elementary (2), Cypress Elementary (1).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.9 to 7.2 — the spread is inside La Palma, not a citywide average.
- Anaheim Union High2 public · 40%
- Centralia Elementary2 public · 40%
- Cypress Elementary1 public · 20%
About Schools in La Palma, California
La Palma, California is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in La Palma 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 La Palma is Beacon Day School with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
La Palma is served by 3 school districts: Anaheim Union High, Centralia Elementary, Cypress Elementary. These districts collectively serve 34,566 students.
La Palma's community shows 49% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $112,366. The poverty rate in the area is 5.2%.
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 | 387 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.6 |
| 2 | 576 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 |
| 3 | 499 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 845 students · 7th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,024 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Semita SchoolPrivate 8 students · 8th–11th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beacon Day SchoolPrivate 90 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
Schools in La Palma
La Palma, California · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$112,366
Median Home Value
$920,200
Median Rent
$2,224/mo
Population
15,369
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Community Profile
La Palma has a median household income of $112,366. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $920,200, with a median rent of $2,224/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- 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 La Palma, California
How many schools are in La Palma, California?
La Palma has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in La Palma, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in La Palma is 6.9 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 La Palma, California?
The top-ranked school in La Palma on MySchoolScout is John F. Kennedy High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in La Palma, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in La Palma on MySchoolScout is Steve Luther Elementary with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in La Palma, California?
The top-ranked middle school in La Palma on MySchoolScout is Walker Junior High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in La Palma, California?
The top-ranked high school in La Palma on MySchoolScout is John F. Kennedy High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve La Palma, California?
La Palma is served by 3 school districts: Anaheim Union High, Centralia Elementary, Cypress Elementary.
What is the education level in La Palma, California?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in La Palma have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in La Palma, California?
The median household income in La Palma is approximately $112,366 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in La Palma, California?
Yes, La Palma has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Beacon Day School with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Palma, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in La Palma is 18.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in La Palma, 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
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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.