Best Schools in Rialto, California

Rialto, California's public school system spans 26 ranked schools with an average score of 5.9 out of 10 — a landscape that runs the full spectrum from strong performers to schools that face real challenges. That average places the city in competitive territory for the Inland Empire, and parents will find meaningful variation across grade levels worth examining closely before choosing a neighborhood.

Only 3 of Rialto's 26 schools — 12% — score 7 or above, which tells parents that high performers here are the exception rather than the rule. Samuel W. Simpson Elementary leads the city at 8.3 out of 10, making it the clear standout and a primary target for families with young children. George H. Dunn Elementary also ranks in the upper tier at 6.9, giving elementary-age parents at least two solid options to pursue.

The secondary pipeline shows more range. Wilmer Amina Carter High School scores 7.6, putting it among the city's top three schools overall and well above the city average — a meaningful signal for families thinking ahead to high school transitions. Ben F. Kolb Middle School sits at 6.9, slightly above the 5.9 city mean, suggesting a workable bridge between the stronger elementary options and Carter High. Zupanic Virtual Academy rounds out the top tier at 7.5, offering an alternative path for families who prefer or need a flexible learning model.

Practically speaking, parents in Rialto should focus their school search on assignment zones for Simpson Elementary and Carter High, as those represent the city's strongest traditional public options at each end of the K-12 pipeline. Families who don't land in those zones should look closely at Dunn and Kolb as above-average alternatives. With 88% of schools scoring below 7, Rialto rewards deliberate planning — knowing your assigned school's score before committing to an address is the single highest-leverage move a parent can make here.