Best Schools in San Fernando, California
18 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 6 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in San Fernando?
Use this page to compare every school in San Fernando 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.
Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-arts/theatre/entertain Mag
High · Los Angeles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
San Fernando Institute of Applied Media
Middle · Los Angeles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mission Continuation
High · Los Angeles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Fernando for 2026 are Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-arts/theatre/entertain Mag (8.8/10), San Fernando Institute of Applied Media (8.0/10), and Mission Continuation (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 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
18
14 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$624,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
18
14 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$624,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.8/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.2 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 Fernando schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +10.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Fernando schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Fernando
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (16 of 18). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-arts/theatre/entertain Mag | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | San Fernando Institute of Applied Media | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Mission Continuation | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Vista Del Valle Dual Language Academy | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-tech Prep Acad | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | San Fernando Senior High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | O'melveny Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 8 | San Fernando Middle | 6.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-acad of Scientific Explr (ase) | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Vaughn Next Century Learning Center | 6.3 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $79,124
- Median home value
- $624,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
44% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Fernando compares
California rank
#276 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
79% of California median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in San Fernando, California
San Fernando's public school system spans 14 ranked schools with an average rating of 6.4 out of 10. That average tells a useful story: performance is real but uneven. Five of those 14 schools — 36% — score 7.0 or above, meaning parents willing to research have clear targets to aim for.
The top of the list is strong. Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies — Arts, Theatre, and Entertainment Magnet earns a 9.0 out of 10, the highest score in the city by a significant margin. It's a high school program built around a specialized arts and media focus, giving students a distinctive academic track alongside performance training. Vista del Valle Dual Language Academy follows at 8.5, offering an elementary bilingual program that ranks among the strongest options in the area. San Fernando Institute of Applied Media rounds out the 8-plus tier at the middle school level with an 8.0, connecting younger students to media arts before high school.
At the elementary level, parents have real choices. San Fernando Elementary scores 7.7, and O'Melveny Elementary holds a 7.2 — both clear above-average performers within the city's landscape. Together, these five schools give families a defined upper tier worth evaluating seriously.
Practically speaking, San Fernando rewards parents who look beyond neighborhood assignment. The magnet and academy programs are the city's highest performers, and several carry specialized admissions or application processes. Families considering the dual language track at Vista del Valle should plan early — immersion programs typically start in kindergarten and fill fast. For middle school, the Institute of Applied Media at 8.0 is a strong bridge option before the high school magnet pathway. With 36% of schools scoring 7 or above and a clear top performer at 9.0, San Fernando offers a workable landscape for parents who engage the process rather than default to proximity.
Elementary Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 398 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 348 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 445 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 4 | 417 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 5 | 480 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Glenoaks Christian Elementary
Private
63 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.4 | ||
| 2 | 136 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | Santa Rosa De Lima
Private
127 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 48 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 361 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 534 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 292 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 113 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 346 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 1,625 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 433 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 448 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,738 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.3 |
Schools in San Fernando
San Fernando, California · 18 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,124
Median Home Value
$624,900
Median Rent
$1,740/mo
Population
33,750
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Community Profile
San Fernando has a median household income of $79,124. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $624,900, with a median rent of $1,740/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 6
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 San Fernando, California
How many schools are in San Fernando, California?
San Fernando has 18 schools, including 14 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Fernando, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Fernando 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 Fernando, California?
The top-ranked school in San Fernando on MySchoolScout is Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-arts/theatre/entertain Mag with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Fernando, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Fernando on MySchoolScout is Vista Del Valle Dual Language Academy with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in San Fernando, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Fernando on MySchoolScout is San Fernando Institute of Applied Media with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best high school in San Fernando, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Fernando on MySchoolScout is Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-arts/theatre/entertain Mag with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve San Fernando, California?
San Fernando is served by 2 school districts: Vaughn Next Century Learning Center District, Los Angeles Unified.
What is the education level in San Fernando, California?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in San Fernando have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Fernando, California?
The median household income in San Fernando is approximately $79,124 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Fernando, California?
Yes, San Fernando has 4 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Glenoaks Christian Elementary with a score of 5.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Fernando, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Fernando is 17.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Fernando, 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.