Best Schools in Riverside, California
105 schools · 58 Elementary · 11 Middle · 26 High · 10 Other
Choosing a school in Riverside?
Use this page to compare every school in Riverside 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.
Promenade Elementary
Elementary · Alvord Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lake Hills Elementary
Elementary · Alvord Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Elementary · Riverside Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Riverside for 2026 are Promenade Elementary (9.0/10), Lake Hills Elementary (8.5/10), and Benjamin Franklin Elementary (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 77 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
105
79 public · 26 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$548,133
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Schools
105
79 public · 26 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$548,133
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 75% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.1 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 Riverside schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +7.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Riverside schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Riverside
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 77 rated schools; 105 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Promenade Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Lake Hills Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Benjamin Franklin Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Riverside Virtual | 8.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Rosemary Kennedy Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Monroe Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Amelia Earhart Middle | 7.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Riverside Stem Academy | 7.6 / 10 |
| 9 | La Sierra High | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Matthew Gage Middle | 7.5 / 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
- $96,895
- Median home value
- $548,133
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Riverside compares
California rank
#428 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$97k
97% of California median
Schools in this city
91
Education Snapshot
Riverside, CaliforniaRiverside's 104 schools span 7 districts and serve roughly 63,489 students. The level distribution tilts elementary-heavy: 60 of the 104 schools are primary programs, followed by 23 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 10 combined or alternative campuses. Three charter schools add limited school-choice options outside the seven district systems. Composite scores reveal the clearest gap from state peers: across 92 scored schools, Riverside averages 5.6/10 — 0.7 points below the California state average of 6.3/10. On household economics, the city's median income of $99,903 sits 5% below the California median of $105,206, and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. With performance running below the state average, parents should sort by individual school scores — the range across these seven districts will surface higher-performing campuses that clear Riverside's citywide composite.
Riverside Unified runs 61% of Riverside's public schools
Riverside touches 7 districts, but Riverside Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Riverside Unified accounts for 48 of 79 public schools (61%). The other 6 districts hold the remaining 31.
Among 77 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.7 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Riverside, not a citywide average.
- Riverside Unified48 public · 61%
- Alvord Unified23 public · 29%
- Riverside County Office of Education4 public · 5%
- Ca Sch For the Deaf-Riverside (state Special Schl)1 public · 1%
- Gateway College and Career Academy District1 public · 1%
About Schools in Riverside, California
Riverside, California runs 78 ranked public schools, giving families a wide field to evaluate. The city average sits at 6.0 out of 10, which places most schools in the middle tier — functional but not outstanding. The stronger options are concentrated at the top: 13 schools, or 17% of the total, score 7 or higher. That means parents willing to research specific schools and attendance zones can access meaningfully better options than the city average suggests.
Norte Vista High leads the city with an 8.2 out of 10, the top score among all 78 ranked schools. It stands well above the 6.0 average and represents the clearest high school target for families prioritizing academic performance. At the elementary level, Pachappa Elementary (7.8), Victoria Elementary (7.7), Allan Orrenmaa Elementary (7.6), and Terrace Elementary (7.6) all clear the 7-point threshold. These four schools cluster tightly in score, so other factors — commute, extracurriculars, school culture — can reasonably break the tie for families who qualify for more than one.
The broad middle of Riverside's school landscape scores between 5 and 7. These schools serve the majority of students in the city and vary considerably in program offerings and classroom resources. Parents assigning to a school in this range should look closely at grade-specific proficiency data and teacher experience rates rather than relying on the overall score alone.
Practically, the 17% figure is the key number for parents in Riverside. Only about one in six ranked schools clears the 7-point mark, so attendance zone matters enormously here. Families with flexibility — through open enrollment, magnet programs, or relocation within the city — have real upside to gain. Parents without that flexibility should treat the city average as a starting point and dig into campus-level data before drawing conclusions. Riverside's top schools demonstrate that strong options exist; the work is identifying whether they're accessible for your specific address and grade level.
Elementary Schools
58 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 650 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 799 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 382 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
| 5 | 578 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 827 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 438 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 682 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 475 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.1 |
| 10 | 696 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.0 |
Show all 58 elementary schools in Riverside
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 772 students · 7th–8th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 857 students · 7th–8th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 872 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 1,023 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 1,165 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 834 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 |
| 7 | 844 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 |
| 8 | 783 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 606 students · 7th–8th | 5.8 |
| 10 | 861 students · 7th–8th | 5.7 |
Show all 11 middle schools in Riverside
High Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 659 students · 5th–12th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 1,461 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 2,089 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 4 | 1,782 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 136 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 6 | 2,190 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 7 | 335 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 8 | 101 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 2,813 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 171 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
Show all 26 high schools in Riverside
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 737 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 74 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 98 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 323 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 5 | 558 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.3 | ||
| 6 | 86 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.5 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Allegiant Christian SchoolPrivate 71 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Bethel Christian SchoolsPrivate 485 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 1,186 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 1,115 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Riverside
Riverside, California · 105 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 9 ZIP codes
Median Income
$96,895
Median Home Value
$548,133
Median Rent
$1,881/mo
Population
492,382
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Community Profile
Riverside has a median household income of $96,895. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $548,133, with a median rent of $1,881/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 58
- Middle
- 11
- High
- 26
- Other
- 10
Resources
School Districts (7)
CA Sch for the Deaf-Riverside (State Special Schl)
1 school · 324 students
REACH Leadership STEAM Academy District
1 school · 650 students
Gateway College and Career Academy District
1 school · 335 students
Alvord Unified
26 schools · 16,663 students
Riverside Unified
49 schools · 38,855 students
Riverside County Office of Education
5 schools · 1,469 students
Sherman Indian High School
1 school · 340 students
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 Riverside, California
How many schools are in Riverside, California?
Riverside has 105 schools, including 79 public and 26 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Riverside, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Riverside 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 Riverside, California?
The top-ranked school in Riverside on MySchoolScout is Promenade Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Riverside, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Riverside on MySchoolScout is Promenade Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Riverside, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Riverside on MySchoolScout is Amelia Earhart Middle with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in Riverside, California?
The top-ranked high school in Riverside on MySchoolScout is Riverside Stem Academy with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Riverside, California?
Riverside is served by 7 school districts: Ca Sch for the Deaf-Riverside (state Special Schl), Reach Leadership Steam Academy District, Gateway College and Career Academy District, Alvord Unified, Riverside Unified, Riverside County Office of Education, Sherman Indian High School.
What is the education level in Riverside, California?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Riverside have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Riverside, California?
The median household income in Riverside is approximately $96,895 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Riverside, California?
Yes, Riverside has 26 private schools alongside 79 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Francis De Sales School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Riverside, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Riverside is 20.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Riverside, 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.