Best Schools in Ojai, California
21 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 9 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Ojai?
Use this page to compare every school in Ojai 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.
Mira Monte Elementary
Elementary · Ojai Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Topa Topa Elementary
Elementary · Ojai Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Nordhoff High
High · Ojai Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ojai for 2026 are Mira Monte Elementary (7.0/10), Topa Topa Elementary (6.3/10), and Nordhoff High (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
21
8 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$888,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
21
8 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$888,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.0/10 despite 44% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 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 Ojai schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +4.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Ojai schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Ojai
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 21 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mira Monte Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Topa Topa Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Nordhoff High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Summit | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Nordhoff Jr. High | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Valley Oak Charter | 4.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Meiners Oaks Elementary | 4.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Legacy High | 2.4 / 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
- $82,298
- Median home value
- $888,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
35% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ojai compares
California rank
#427 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
83% of California median
Schools in this city
17
Ojai Unified runs 88% of Ojai's public schools
Ojai touches 2 districts, but Ojai Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Ojai Unified accounts for 7 of 8 public schools (88%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.4 to 7.0 — the spread is inside Ojai, not a citywide average.
- Ojai Unified7 public · 88%
- Valley Oak Charter District1 public · 13%
About Schools in Ojai, California
Ojai, California is home to 21 schools, including 8 public schools and 13 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 9 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Ojai 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 Ojai is Ojai Valley School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ojai is served by 2 school districts: Valley Oak Charter District, Ojai Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,129 students.
Ojai's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $82,298. The poverty rate in the area is 12.7%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 509 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 355 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 86 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 4.0 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Monica Ros SchoolPrivate 76 students · Pre-K–3rd | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Heritage ChristianPrivate 68 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Montessori School of OjaiPrivate 70 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Manzanita Montessori SchoolPrivate 23 students · 1st–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 281 students · 7th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 620 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | 49 students · 9th–12th | 2.4 | ||
Private Schools7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Villanova Preparatory SchoolPrivate 266 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 77 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | The Thacher SchoolPrivate 252 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 62 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Mother of Divine GracePrivate 493 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Global Village SchoolPrivate 51 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Laurel SpringsPrivate 3,350 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 183 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 2 | 44 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.7 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ojai Valley SchoolPrivate 305 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Oak Grove SchoolPrivate 216 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Ojai
Ojai, California · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$82,298
Median Home Value
$888,700
Median Rent
$1,831/mo
Population
21,559
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Community Profile
Ojai has a median household income of $82,298. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $888,700, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 9
- Other
- 4
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 Ojai, California
How many schools are in Ojai, California?
Ojai has 21 schools, including 8 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ojai, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ojai 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 Ojai, California?
The top-ranked school in Ojai on MySchoolScout is Mira Monte Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ojai, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ojai on MySchoolScout is Mira Monte Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Ojai, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Ojai on MySchoolScout is Nordhoff Jr. High with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Ojai, California?
The top-ranked high school in Ojai on MySchoolScout is Nordhoff High with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Ojai, California?
Ojai is served by 2 school districts: Valley Oak Charter District, Ojai Unified.
What is the education level in Ojai, California?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Ojai have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ojai, California?
The median household income in Ojai is approximately $82,298 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ojai, California?
Yes, Ojai has 13 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ojai Valley School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ojai, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ojai is 16.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ojai, 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.