Best Schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
15 schools · 11 Elementary · 3 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Rancho Palos Verdes?
Use this page to compare every school in Rancho Palos Verdes 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.
Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle
Middle · Los Angeles Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Point Vicente Elementary
Elementary · Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary
Elementary · Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Rancho Palos Verdes for 2026 are Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle (9.2/10), Point Vicente Elementary (9.1/10), and Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary (7.8/10), 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
15
10 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,543,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
15
10 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,543,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.1/10 despite 16% 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 Rancho Palos Verdes schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +6.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Rancho Palos Verdes schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Rancho Palos Verdes
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 15 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Point Vicente Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Ridgecrest Intermediate | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Crestwood Street Steam Magnet | 7.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Vista Grande Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Soleado Elementary | 6.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Silver Spur Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Miraleste Intermediate | 5.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Mira Catalina Elementary | 4.4 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $175,212
- Median home value
- $1,543,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 69%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
46% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rancho Palos Verdes compares
California rank
#109 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$175k
176% of California median
Schools in this city
13
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified runs 80% of Rancho Palos Verdes's public schools
Rancho Palos Verdes touches 2 districts, but Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified accounts for 8 of 10 public schools (80%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 2.
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.4 to 9.2 — the spread is inside Rancho Palos Verdes, not a citywide average.
- Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified8 public · 80%
- Los Angeles Unified2 public · 20%
About Schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Rancho Palos Verdes, California is home to 15 schools, including 10 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Rancho Palos Verdes 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 Rancho Palos Verdes is Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rancho Palos Verdes is served by 2 school districts: Los Angeles Unified, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified. These districts collectively serve 430,322 students.
Rancho Palos Verdes's community shows 69% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $175,212. The poverty rate in the area is 4.1%.
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
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 335 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | 436 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 3 | 291 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 371 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 5 | 452 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 6 | 539 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 7 | 370 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.4 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St John Fisher SchoolPrivate 176 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Peninsula Montessori SchoolPrivate 156 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 194 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Rancho Palos Verdes
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,295 students · 6th–8th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 917 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 746 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faith Christian School PspPrivate 78 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Rancho Palos Verdes
Rancho Palos Verdes, California · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$175,212
Median Home Value
$1,543,300
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
41,367
College Educated
69%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Community Profile
Rancho Palos Verdes has a median household income of $175,212. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,543,300, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, California
How many schools are in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
Rancho Palos Verdes has 15 schools, including 10 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rancho Palos Verdes is 7.0 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The top-ranked school in Rancho Palos Verdes on MySchoolScout is Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rancho Palos Verdes on MySchoolScout is Point Vicente Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Rancho Palos Verdes on MySchoolScout is Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10.
How many school districts serve Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
Rancho Palos Verdes is served by 2 school districts: Los Angeles Unified, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified.
What is the education level in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
According to Census data, 69% of adults in Rancho Palos Verdes have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The median household income in Rancho Palos Verdes is approximately $175,212 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
Yes, Rancho Palos Verdes has 5 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is St John Fisher School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rancho Palos Verdes is 18.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rancho Palos Verdes, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.