Best Schools in Rio Linda, California
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Rio Linda?
Use this page to compare every school in Rio Linda 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.
Rio Linda High
High · Twin Rivers Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Rio Linda Preparatory Academy
Middle · Twin Rivers Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dry Creek Elementary
Elementary · Twin Rivers Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Rio Linda for 2026 are Rio Linda High (7.3/10), Rio Linda Preparatory Academy (6.9/10), and Dry Creek Elementary (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$438,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$438,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +12.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Rio Linda schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Rio Linda
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rio Linda High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Rio Linda Preparatory Academy | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Dry Creek Elementary | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Westside Preparatory Charter | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Westside Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Orchard Elementary | 4.9 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $96,694
- Median home value
- $438,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rio Linda compares
California rank
#304 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$97k
97% of California median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Rio Linda, California
Rio Linda, California is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Rio Linda show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Rio Linda is Rio Linda High with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rio Linda is served by 1 school district: Twin Rivers Unified. These districts collectively serve 24,386 students.
Rio Linda's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $96,694. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 625 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 376 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 320 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacramento Christian School
Private
37 students · 1st–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 290 students · 7th–8th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 446 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,596 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
Schools in Rio Linda
Rio Linda, California · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$96,694
Median Home Value
$438,200
Median Rent
$1,788/mo
Population
16,935
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Community Profile
Rio Linda has a median household income of $96,694. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,200, with a median rent of $1,788/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Rio Linda, California
How many schools are in Rio Linda, California?
Rio Linda has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rio Linda, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rio Linda is 6.3 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 Rio Linda, California?
The top-ranked school in Rio Linda on MySchoolScout is Rio Linda High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rio Linda, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rio Linda on MySchoolScout is Dry Creek Elementary with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Rio Linda, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Rio Linda on MySchoolScout is Rio Linda Preparatory Academy with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Rio Linda, California?
The top-ranked high school in Rio Linda on MySchoolScout is Rio Linda High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Rio Linda, California?
Rio Linda is served by 1 school district: Twin Rivers Unified.
What is the education level in Rio Linda, California?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Rio Linda have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rio Linda, California?
The median household income in Rio Linda is approximately $96,694 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rio Linda, California?
Yes, Rio Linda has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rio Linda, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rio Linda is 20.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rio Linda, 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 Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.