Best Schools in Portola, California
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 4 High
Choosing a school in Portola?
Use this page to compare every school in Portola 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.
Portola Junior/senior High
High · Plumas Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
C. Roy Carmichael Elementary
Elementary · Plumas Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
3.8
out of 10
Median Home
$239,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
3.8
out of 10
Median Home
$239,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Portola schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Portola
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 rated schools; 5 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portola Junior/senior High | 5.2 / 10 |
| 2 | C. Roy Carmichael Elementary | 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
- 3.8/10
- Median household income
- $52,096
- Median home value
- $239,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Portola compares
Median household income
$52k
52% of California median
Plumas Unified runs Portola's public schools
3 public schools. Plumas Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Portola is a Plumas Unified school (3 of 3).
Among 2 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.4 to 5.2 — the spread is inside Portola, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Portola, California
Portola, California is home to 5 schools, including 3 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 3.8 out of 10, schools in Portola face significant challenges 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 Portola is Portola Junior/senior High with a composite score of 5.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portola is served by 1 school district: Plumas Unified. These districts collectively serve 1,687 students.
Portola's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,096. The poverty rate in the area is 15.3%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 344 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.4 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 279 students · 7th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | 10 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lost Sierra AcademyPrivate 6 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Home of the Nelson'sPrivate 14 students · 9th–9th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Portola
Portola, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,096
Median Home Value
$239,000
Median Rent
$876/mo
Population
4,492
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
64%
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Community Profile
Portola has a median household income of $52,096. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $239,000, with a median rent of $876/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 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 Portola, California
How many schools are in Portola, California?
Portola has 5 schools, including 3 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portola, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portola is 3.8 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 Portola, California?
The top-ranked school in Portola on MySchoolScout is Portola Junior/senior High with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portola, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portola on MySchoolScout is C. Roy Carmichael Elementary with a composite score of 2.4/10.
What is the best high school in Portola, California?
The top-ranked high school in Portola on MySchoolScout is Portola Junior/senior High with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Portola, California?
Portola is served by 1 school district: Plumas Unified.
What is the education level in Portola, California?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Portola have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portola, California?
The median household income in Portola is approximately $52,096 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portola, California?
Yes, Portola has 2 private schools alongside 3 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portola, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portola is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portola, 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
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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.