Best Schools in San Joaquin, California
5 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 High
Choosing a school in San Joaquin?
Use this page to compare every school in San Joaquin 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.
Helm Elementary
Elementary · Golden Plains Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cantua Elementary
Elementary · Golden Plains Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Tranquillity High
High · Golden Plains 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 Joaquin for 2026 are Helm Elementary (8.6/10), Cantua Elementary (5.8/10), and Tranquillity High (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$270,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$270,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +8.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Joaquin schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Joaquin
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helm Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Cantua Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Tranquillity High | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | San Joaquin Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Tranquillity Elementary | 4.2 / 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
- $54,318
- Median home value
- $270,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 2%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 37%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How San Joaquin compares
California rank
#403 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
54% of California median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in San Joaquin, California
San Joaquin, California is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in San Joaquin show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in San Joaquin is Helm Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Joaquin is served by 1 school district: Golden Plains Unified. These districts collectively serve 1,388 students.
San Joaquin's community shows 2% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,318. The poverty rate in the area is 37.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 183 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.8 |
| 3 | 527 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.4 |
| 4 | 199 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 384 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
Schools in San Joaquin
San Joaquin, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,318
Median Home Value
$270,800
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
4,062
College Educated
2%
Homeownership
37%
Poverty Rate
37.1%
Community Profile
San Joaquin has a median household income of $54,318. It is a community where 2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,800, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Joaquin, California
How many schools are in San Joaquin, California?
San Joaquin has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Joaquin, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Joaquin 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 San Joaquin, California?
The top-ranked school in San Joaquin on MySchoolScout is Helm Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Joaquin, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Joaquin on MySchoolScout is Helm Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in San Joaquin, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Joaquin on MySchoolScout is Tranquillity High with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve San Joaquin, California?
San Joaquin is served by 1 school district: Golden Plains Unified.
What is the education level in San Joaquin, California?
According to Census data, 2% of adults in San Joaquin have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Joaquin, California?
The median household income in San Joaquin is approximately $54,318 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Joaquin, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Joaquin is 17.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Joaquin, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered 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.