Best Schools in San Bernardino, California
87 schools · 52 Elementary · 10 Middle · 16 High · 9 Other
Choosing a school in San Bernardino?
Use this page to compare every school in San Bernardino 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.
North Verdemont Elementary
Elementary · San Bernardino City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy
Middle · San Bernardino City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Paakuma K-8
Elementary · San Bernardino City Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Bernardino for 2026 are North Verdemont Elementary (8.7/10), Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy (8.6/10), and Paakuma K-8 (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 74 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
87
75 public · 12 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$372,200
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Schools
87
75 public · 12 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$372,200
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 88% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 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 San Bernardino schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +18.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Bernardino schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Bernardino
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 74 rated schools; 87 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Verdemont Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Paakuma K-8 | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Richardson Prep Hi Middle | 8.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Cajon High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Kimbark Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | North Park Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Palm Avenue Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Manuel A. Salinas Creative Arts Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Kendall Elementary | 7.7 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $63,608
- Median home value
- $372,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Bernardino compares
California rank
#272 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$64k
64% of California median
Schools in this city
78
Education Snapshot
San Bernardino, CaliforniaSan Bernardino's school landscape spans 84 schools across 10 districts, serving roughly 47,293 students in a city where economic conditions shape educational outcomes at every level. The 49 elementary schools anchor the system, feeding into 10 middle and 16 high schools, with 7 charter schools adding alternatives to traditional district options. Composite ratings average 6.1/10 across 76 scored schools — trailing the California state average of 6.3/10 by a modest but consistent margin. That gap tracks closely with the city's economic profile: a median household income of $68,831 sits 35% below the California state median of $105,206, and only 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, one of the lowest attainment rates among major California cities. Parents evaluating schools here should weight individual school scores heavily, since performance varies considerably within the district mix and the citywide average understates the range.
San Bernardino City Unified runs 85% of San Bernardino's public schools
San Bernardino touches 10 districts, but San Bernardino City Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
San Bernardino City Unified accounts for 64 of 75 public schools (85%). The other 9 districts hold the remaining 11.
Among 74 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 8.7 — the spread is inside San Bernardino, not a citywide average.
- San Bernardino City Unified64 public · 85%
- San Bernardino County Office of Education3 public · 4%
- Asa Charter District1 public · 1%
- Norton Science and Language Academy District1 public · 1%
- Provisional Accelerated Learning Academy District1 public · 1%
About Schools in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino's public school landscape spans 73 ranked schools across a mid-sized inland California city. The citywide average sits at 5.9 out of 10, which places the overall system in a competitive but uneven position. Parents will find a wide performance range — from struggling campuses to genuinely strong options — so school selection matters more here than in more uniformly performing districts.
The top performers are worth noting. Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez PREP Academy leads all San Bernardino public schools with an 8.6 out of 10, making it the clear standout for middle school families. Kimbark Elementary follows at 8.4, and Savant Preparatory Academy of Business and Richardson PREP HI Middle both score 8.1. Captain Leland Norton Elementary rounds out the top five at 7.9. Across all 73 ranked schools, 16 of them — about 22% — score 7 or higher. That means roughly one in five schools clears the higher-performing threshold, giving parents real options if they research carefully and, where applicable, explore enrollment pathways like magnet or prep programs.
The PREP Academy model appears multiple times among the top performers, at both the elementary and middle school levels. This signals that structured, college-preparatory programming is producing measurably better outcomes within the city. Parents with children approaching middle school should prioritize investigating Rodriguez PREP Academy specifically, given it outpaces every other school in San Bernardino by a meaningful margin.
Practically, parents researching San Bernardino schools should start by filtering for the 16 schools at or above the 7-point mark rather than relying on district boundaries alone. The 5.9 average means that a default neighborhood assignment carries real academic risk. Families with elementary-age children have strong targets in Kimbark and Savant Preparatory, while middle school parents have two 8-plus-rated options in Rodriguez PREP and Richardson PREP HI. Confirm current enrollment policies, waitlist procedures, and attendance boundaries directly with San Bernardino City Unified School District, as access to the top-rated campuses may require applications or lottery participation.
Elementary Schools
52 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 528 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 984 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 333 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 514 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 479 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 422 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 7 | 372 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 |
| 8 | 406 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 |
| 9 | 492 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 |
| 10 | 323 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 |
Show all 52 elementary schools in San Bernardino
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 699 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 595 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 757 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 768 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 5 | 589 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 |
| 6 | 707 students · 7th–8th | 6.1 |
| 7 | 617 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 922 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
| 9 | 1,085 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 10 | 341 students · 4th–6th | 4.7 |
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,662 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 258 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 3 | 1,829 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 |
| 4 | 2,730 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 5 | 474 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 1,447 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 7 | 270 students · 6th–12th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 1,222 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 9 | 1,475 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 10 | 398 students · 6th–12th | 4.0 |
Show all 16 high schools in San Bernardino
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,200 students · Kindergarten–11th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 439 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 4 | 123 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 430 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 6 | 73 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 7 | 1,706 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 8 | 340 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Rock Christian SchoolPrivate 236 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California · 87 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$63,608
Median Home Value
$372,200
Median Rent
$1,426/mo
Population
252,788
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Community Profile
San Bernardino has a median household income of $63,608. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $372,200, with a median rent of $1,426/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 52
- Middle
- 10
- High
- 16
- Other
- 9
Resources
School Districts (10)
SOAR Charter Academy District
1 school · 449 students
Norton Science and Language Academy District
1 school · 1,200 students
Provisional Accelerated Learning Academy District
1 school · 270 students
ASA Charter District
1 school · 340 students
Public Safety Academy District
1 school · 398 students
Savant Preparatory Academy of Business District
1 school · 225 students
Woodward Leadership Academy District
1 school · 83 students
Redlands Unified
25 schools · 19,673 students
San Bernardino City Unified
76 schools · 44,712 students
San Bernardino County Office of Education
3 schools · 2,259 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 San Bernardino, California
How many schools are in San Bernardino, California?
San Bernardino has 87 schools, including 75 public and 12 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Bernardino, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Bernardino is 6.4 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 San Bernardino, California?
The top-ranked school in San Bernardino on MySchoolScout is North Verdemont Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Bernardino, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Bernardino on MySchoolScout is North Verdemont Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in San Bernardino, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Bernardino on MySchoolScout is Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Prep Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in San Bernardino, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Bernardino on MySchoolScout is Cajon High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve San Bernardino, California?
San Bernardino is served by 10 school districts: Soar Charter Academy District, Norton Science and Language Academy District, Provisional Accelerated Learning Academy District, Asa Charter District, Public Safety Academy District, Savant Preparatory Academy of Business District, Woodward Leadership Academy District, Redlands Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, San Bernardino County Office of Education.
What is the education level in San Bernardino, California?
According to Census data, 12% of adults in San Bernardino have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Bernardino, California?
The median household income in San Bernardino is approximately $63,608 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Bernardino, California?
Yes, San Bernardino has 12 private schools alongside 75 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Rock Christian School with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Bernardino, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Bernardino is 19.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Bernardino, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.