Best Schools in Sacramento, California
282 schools · 152 Elementary · 22 Middle · 80 High · 28 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.
Camellia Elementary
Elementary · Sacramento City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hardy Brown College Prep
Elementary · Hardy Brown College Prep District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary
Elementary · Natomas 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 Camellia Elementary (9.0/10), Hardy Brown College Prep (8.7/10), and Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 196 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
282
200 public · 82 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$504,338
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Schools
282
200 public · 82 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$504,338
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 87% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.4 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 (Top 10 of 196 rated schools; 282 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camellia Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Hardy Brown College Prep | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | David Lubin Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Matsuyama Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | William Land Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Leonardo Da Vinci | 8.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Norwood Junior High | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Ridgepoint Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Yav Pem Suab Academy - Preparing for the Future Charter | 8.0 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $81,609
- Median home value
- $504,338
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
20% 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
#465 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
82% of California median
Schools in this city
230
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.
32 districts draw attendance lines through Sacramento
Sacramento is not one school system. 32 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 37% of the public campuses.
Sacramento City Unified is the largest slice at 73 of 200 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Sacramento address is choosing a district first.
Among 196 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.4 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Sacramento, not a citywide average.
37 of the 200 public schools are charters (19%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Sacramento City Unified73 public · 37%
- Elk Grove Unified26 public · 13%
- Twin Rivers Unified25 public · 13%
- San Juan Unified21 public · 11%
- Natomas Unified19 public · 10%
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
152 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 344 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 329 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 485 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 455 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 437 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 6 | 331 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 7 | 829 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.2 |
| 8 | 667 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 471 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.0 |
| 10 | 417 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.0 |
Show all 152 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
22 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 458 students · 7th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 753 students · 7th–8th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 1,184 students · 7th–8th | 7.2 |
| 4 | 493 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 |
| 5 | 1,046 students · 7th–8th | 6.8 |
| 6 | 303 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 |
| 7 | 849 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 |
| 8 | 512 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
| 9 | 845 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
| 10 | 647 students · 7th–8th | 6.1 |
Show all 22 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
80 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 185 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 623 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 1,629 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 881 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 2,415 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 6 | 2,016 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 134 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 1,867 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 9 | 2,242 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 10 | 178 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
Show all 80 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
28 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,747 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 731 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 1,863 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.5 |
| 4 | 2,562 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.2 |
| 5 | 669 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
| 6 | 582 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 |
| 7 | 1,382 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 8 | 1,126 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.6 |
| 9 | 411 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 |
| 10 | 596 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 |
Show all 28 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 · 282 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 26 ZIP codes
Median Income
$81,609
Median Home Value
$504,338
Median Rent
$1,671/mo
Population
845,702
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Community Profile
Sacramento has a median household income of $81,609. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $504,338, with a median rent of $1,671/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 152
- Middle
- 22
- High
- 80
- Other
- 28
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
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 282 schools, including 200 public and 82 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 5.9 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 Camellia Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Camellia Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Norwood Junior High with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Sacramento, California?
The top-ranked high school in Sacramento on MySchoolScout is Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High with a composite score of 7.8/10.
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 $81,609 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sacramento, California?
Yes, Sacramento has 82 private schools alongside 200 public schools. The top-rated private school is Brookfield School with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sacramento, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sacramento is 30.0:1. 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 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.