Best Schools in Sacramento, California
273 schools · 155 Elementary · 21 Middle · 71 High · 26 Other
Choosing a school in Sacramento?
Use this page to compare every school in Sacramento 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.
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary
Elementary · Natomas Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
William Land Elementary
Elementary · Sacramento City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Caleb Greenwood Elementary
Elementary · Sacramento City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Sacramento for 2026 are Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary (9.2/10), William Land Elementary (9.2/10), and Caleb Greenwood Elementary (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
273
200 public · 73 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$514,307
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Schools
273
200 public · 73 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$514,307
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 88% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.5 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 Sacramento schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +15.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Sacramento schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Sacramento
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 273). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | William Land Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Caleb Greenwood Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Leonardo Da Vinci | 8.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle | 8.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Sol Aureus College Preparatory | 8.5 / 10 |
| 8 | David Lubin Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Crocker/riverside Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep | 8.3 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $84,364
- Median home value
- $514,307
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Sacramento compares
California rank
#485 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$84k
85% of California median
Schools in this city
229
Education Snapshot
Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento's public school landscape spans 273 schools across 32 districts, serving roughly 149,740 students — one of the largest and most administratively fragmented school systems in Northern California. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.5/10 trails the California state average of 6.3/10 by nearly a full point, a gap worth weighing alongside a median household income of $84,957 that runs 19% below the statewide median of $105,206. Of the 273 schools, 155 are elementary and 71 are high schools, with 37 charter schools offering alternatives to the traditional district path. Adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher stand at 34%, below the college-attainment rates typical of higher-rated California metros. Families navigating Sacramento's market face meaningful school-to-school variance within those 32 districts — the rating spread across 229 scored schools suggests that location within the city matters considerably.
About Schools in Sacramento, California
Sacramento's public school system spans 196 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to navigate. The city average sits at 5.8 out of 10, which places most schools in the middle tier — but the range is broad, and where a child lands in the district matters significantly. Forty-six schools, or 23% of the total, score 7 or higher, meaning roughly one in four public schools clears a strong performance threshold. That's a meaningful concentration of quality options for parents willing to research boundaries and enrollment rules.
At the top of the rankings, William Land Elementary leads the city with a 9.0 out of 10, the highest score among all 196 ranked schools. Foothill Oaks Elementary, Sol Aureus College Preparatory, Genevieve Didion, and Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary each earn an 8.7, forming a tight cluster just behind the leader. All five top-rated schools are elementary level, which signals that parents of younger children have strong options — but also prompts the practical question of which middle and high schools those pipelines feed into.
Sacramento's school landscape reflects the city's geographic sprawl. Different charter operators, traditional district schools, and magnet programs serve distinct neighborhoods, and school quality doesn't track neatly with zip code alone. Sol Aureus College Preparatory, a charter school among the top five, illustrates that non-district options can compete at the highest performance levels. Families near the Natomas area have multiple high-scoring elementary choices within a compact zone, while other parts of the city require more deliberate searching to find schools above the 5.8 city average.
For parents starting their search, the 5.8 average is a useful baseline: schools scoring 7 or above represent the top quarter of the city and are worth prioritizing for tours and waitlist research. With 196 ranked schools, Sacramento offers genuine choice — but that scale also makes filtering essential. Start with the top-rated schools in your attendance zone, then expand to charters and open-enrollment options if geography limits your first-choice picks. School scores, enrollment deadlines, and boundary maps change annually, so verify current data directly with Sacramento City Unified and any relevant charter operators before making decisions.
Elementary Schools
155 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 485 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 331 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.2 |
| 3 | 497 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
| 4 | 657 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.6 |
| 5 | 829 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.6 |
| 6 | 324 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.5 |
| 7 | 455 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.4 |
| 8 | 636 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 341 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 |
| 10 | 901 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.1 |
Show all 155 elementary schools in Sacramento
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
21 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 512 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 1,184 students · 7th–8th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 458 students · 7th–8th | 7.2 |
| 4 | 493 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 |
| 5 | 753 students · 7th–8th | 6.9 |
| 6 | 1,046 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 |
| 7 | 647 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 845 students · 7th–8th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 666 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 |
| 10 | 849 students · 7th–8th | 5.3 |
Show all 21 middle schools in Sacramento
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
71 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 623 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 881 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 277 students · 6th–12th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 128 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 5 | 490 students · 7th–12th | 7.4 |
| 6 | 221 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 7 | 2,242 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 740 students · 6th–12th | 7.1 |
| 9 | 134 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 10 | 1,632 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
Show all 71 high schools in Sacramento
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 669 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 642 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 1,126 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 582 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 1,863 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 596 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
| 7 | 356 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 731 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.9 |
| 9 | 2,562 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 10 | 1,747 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.6 |
Show all 26 other schools in Sacramento
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Sacramento
Sacramento, California · 273 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 27 ZIP codes
Median Income
$84,364
Median Home Value
$514,307
Median Rent
$1,714/mo
Population
881,884
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Community Profile
Sacramento has a median household income of $84,364. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $514,307, with a median rent of $1,714/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 155
- Middle
- 21
- High
- 71
- Other
- 26
Resources
School Districts (32)
Natomas Unified
20 schools · 14,950 students
Twin Rivers Unified
43 schools · 24,386 students
Sol Aureus College Preparatory District
1 school · 324 students
Sutter Peak Charter Academy District
1 school · 642 students
Rio Valley Charter District
1 school · 731 students
Yav Pem Suab Acad - Preparing for the Future Charter DIST
1 school · 471 students
Futures High District
1 school · 475 students
The Language Academy of Sacramento District
1 school · 616 students
Higher Learning Academy District
1 school · 539 students
Natomas Charter District
1 school · 1,863 students
Gateway International District
1 school · 592 students
St. HOPE Public School 7 District
1 school · 517 students
Growth Public District
1 school · 282 students
SAVA - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy District
1 school · 196 students
Sacramento Charter High District
1 school · 355 students
California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus District
1 school · 357 students
SAVA - Sacramento ACAD and Vocational Acad - SCUSD DIST
1 school · 701 students
Heritage Peak Charter District
1 school · 1,126 students
Marconi Learning Academy District
1 school · 411 students
Feather River Charter District
1 school · 2,562 students
Hardy Brown College Prep District
1 school · 329 students
Fortune District
1 school · 1,747 students
Highlands Community Charter District
1 school · 9,069 students
Capitol Collegiate Academy District
1 school · 449 students
Valley View Charter Prep District
1 school · 669 students
California Innovative Career Academy District
1 school · 3,180 students
New Hope Charter District
1 school · 166 students
Elk Grove Unified
67 schools · 62,603 students
Robla Elementary
6 schools · 1,919 students
Sacramento City Unified
73 schools · 38,268 students
San Juan Unified
68 schools · 38,488 students
Sacramento County Office of Education
6 schools · 932 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
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 Sacramento, California
How many schools are in Sacramento, California?
Sacramento has 273 schools, including 200 public and 73 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Sacramento, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sacramento is 5.5 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 Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best high school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked high school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Sacramento, California?
Sacramento is served by 32 school districts: Natomas Unified, Twin Rivers Unified, Sol Aureus College Preparatory District, Sutter Peak Charter Academy District, Rio Valley Charter District, Yav Pem Suab Acad - Preparing for the Future Charter Dist, Futures High District, The Language Academy of Sacramento District, Higher Learning Academy District, Natomas Charter District, Gateway International District, St. Hope Public School 7 District, Growth Public District, Sava - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy District, Sacramento Charter High District, California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus District, Sava - Sacramento Acad and Vocational Acad - Scusd Dist, Heritage Peak Charter District, Marconi Learning Academy District, Feather River Charter District, Hardy Brown College Prep District, Fortune District, Highlands Community Charter District, Capitol Collegiate Academy District, Valley View Charter Prep District, California Innovative Career Academy District, New Hope Charter District, Elk Grove Unified, Robla Elementary, Sacramento City Unified, San Juan Unified, Sacramento County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Sacramento, California?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Sacramento have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Sacramento, California?
The median household income in Sacramento is approximately $84,364 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sacramento, California?
Yes, Sacramento has 73 private schools alongside 200 public schools. The top-rated private school is Brookfield School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sacramento, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sacramento is 20.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sacramento, 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 Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest 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.