Best Schools in San Jose, California
327 schools · 186 Elementary · 49 Middle · 75 High · 17 Other
Choosing a school in San Jose?
Use this page to compare every school in San Jose 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.
College Connection Academy
Middle · Franklin-Mckinley Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Kipp San Jose Collegiate
High · Kipp San Jose Collegiate District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Kipp Heritage Academy
Middle · Kipp Heritage Academy District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Jose for 2026 are College Connection Academy (9.6/10), Kipp San Jose Collegiate (9.0/10), and Kipp Heritage Academy (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 222 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
327
224 public · 103 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,221,056
home value · ACS
Districts
52
serving the city
Schools
327
224 public · 103 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,221,056
home value · ACS
Districts
52
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 72% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 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 Jose schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +27.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Jose schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Jose
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 222 rated schools; 327 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Connection Academy | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Kipp San Jose Collegiate | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Kipp Heritage Academy | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | University Preparatory Academy Charter | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Noddin Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Herman (leonard) Intermediate | 8.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Ben Painter Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Branham High | 8.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Luis Valdez Leadership Academy | 8.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Cherrywood Elementary | 8.4 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $150,368
- Median home value
- $1,221,056
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 60%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Jose compares
California rank
#377 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$150k
151% of California median
Schools in this city
266
Education Snapshot
San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose's school landscape spans 335 schools across 52 districts, covering roughly 153,333 enrolled students. The city's median household income of $149,969 sits 43% above the California state median of $105,206 — a significant wealth gap — yet that financial advantage doesn't carry over into school ratings: the 267 scored schools average 6.2/10 on MySchoolScout's composite, just below California's statewide 6.3/10. Elementary schools dominate the level mix, with 193 campuses compared to 78 high schools, 48 middle schools, and 16 combined or alternative programs. The 43 charter schools operating here give families real alternatives to default district placements, an important option in a city where 52 separate districts govern assignment boundaries. Forty-seven percent of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, a highly credentialed parent base that intensifies competition for seats at the city's top-rated campuses.
52 districts draw attendance lines through San Jose
San Jose is not one school system. 52 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 18% of the public campuses.
San Jose Unified is the largest slice at 40 of 224 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a San Jose address is choosing a district first.
Among 222 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 9.6 — the spread is inside San Jose, not a citywide average.
43 of the 224 public schools are charters (19%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- San Jose Unified40 public · 18%
- Alum Rock Union Elementary22 public · 10%
- Oak Grove Elementary18 public · 8%
- East Side Union High16 public · 7%
- Evergreen Elementary16 public · 7%
About Schools in San Jose, California
San Jose's public school system is one of the largest in California, spanning 223 ranked schools across multiple districts, including San Jose Unified, East Side Union, and Campbell Union, among others. The city's sheer size means the quality range is wide — parents need to research individual schools rather than assume neighborhood proximity equals strong academics.
The numbers reflect that range clearly. The citywide average score is 6.1 out of 10, but 82 schools, or 37% of the total, score 7 or higher. That means a meaningful share of options clear a solid performance threshold, but the majority fall below it. At the elementary level, Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy leads the city with a 9.4 out of 10 — the highest score among all 223 ranked schools. Forest Hill Elementary also stands out at 8.8. For middle school, KIPP Heartwood Academy scores 8.9, and at the high school level, both KIPP San Jose Collegiate and Lynbrook High score 8.8. Strong performers exist at every grade band, which matters for families thinking about a long-term school path in one area of the city.
District boundaries in San Jose often do not follow city neighborhood logic the way parents expect. Several high-performing schools pull from specific attendance zones or operate as charter schools with open enrollment, meaning location alone does not determine access. KIPP Heartwood and KIPP San Jose Collegiate, for example, are charter schools with their own enrollment processes. Parents should confirm attendance boundaries and application deadlines early, particularly for charter options.
Practically, San Jose rewards families who dig into school-level data rather than relying on zip code assumptions. With 37% of schools scoring 7 or above, there are genuinely strong options scattered across the city, but the below-average citywide score of 6.1 signals that school choice here carries real stakes. Use ratings as a starting point, then layer in student-to-teacher ratios, test score trends, and program fit for your child's specific needs.
Elementary Schools
186 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 522 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 324 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 524 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 4 | 274 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 312 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 6 | 561 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 7 | 539 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 8 | 624 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 9 | 401 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 10 | 500 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
Show all 186 elementary schools in San Jose
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
49 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202 students · 7th–8th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 454 students · 5th–8th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 714 students · 5th–8th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 712 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 910 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 6 | 418 students · 5th–8th | 7.8 |
| 7 | 921 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 463 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 9 | 1,052 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 10 | 1,084 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
Show all 49 middle schools in San Jose
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
75 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 501 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 713 students · 7th–12th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 1,955 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 234 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 310 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 6 | 1,720 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 7 | 1,519 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
| 8 | 2,181 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 1,469 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 10 | 1,945 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
Show all 75 high schools in San Jose
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 850 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 2 | 396 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.4 | ||
Private Schools15 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Liberty Baptist SchoolPrivate 80 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Spectrum Center-San JosePrivate 43 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | AchievekidsPrivate 38 students · UG–UG | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Apostles Lutheran SchoolPrivate 219 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Rise AcademyPrivate 236 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | 71 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Rise AcademyPrivate 226 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 40 students · Kindergarten–9th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 17 other schools in San Jose
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in San Jose
San Jose, California · 327 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 27 ZIP codes
Median Income
$150,368
Median Home Value
$1,221,056
Median Rent
$2,734/mo
Population
1,012,370
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
San Jose has a median household income of $150,368. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,221,056, with a median rent of $2,734/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 186
- Middle
- 49
- High
- 75
- Other
- 17
Resources
School Districts (52)
Discovery Charter District
1 school · 563 students
Downtown College Preparatory District
1 school · 459 students
KIPP Heartwood Academy District
1 school · 418 students
B. Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy District
1 school · 242 students
ACE Charter High District
1 school · 341 students
Alpha Cindy Avitia High District
1 school · 428 students
Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock District
1 school · 465 students
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory District
1 school · 550 students
San Jose Conservation Corps Charter District
1 school · 176 students
Voices College-Bound Language Acad at Morgan Hill DIST
1 school · 289 students
ACE Esperanza Middle District
1 school · 230 students
Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning District
1 school · 396 students
Voices College-Bound Lang Acad @ W. Contra Costa Co District
1 school · 290 students
Latino College Preparatory Academy District
1 school · 410 students
Voices College-Bound Language Academy District
1 school · 337 students
Luis Valdez Leadership Academy District
1 school · 234 students
KIPP San Jose Collegiate District
1 school · 501 students
Voices College-Bound Language Acad at Mt. Pleasant DIST
1 school · 242 students
ACE Inspire Academy District
1 school · 219 students
Alpha: Jose Hernandez District
1 school · 461 students
Sunrise Middle District
1 school · 312 students
KIPP Navigate College Prep District
1 school · 310 students
ACE Empower Academy District
1 school · 193 students
Alpha: Blanca Alvarado District
1 school · 475 students
Summit Public School: Tahoma District
1 school · 427 students
University Preparatory Academy Charter District
1 school · 713 students
Kipp Prize Preparatory Academy District
1 school · 408 students
Downtown College Preparatory Middle District
1 school · 239 students
KIPP Heritage Academy District
1 school · 454 students
Escuela Popular/CTR for TRN and CARs FAM Lrng DIST
1 school · 515 students
Discovery Charter II District
1 school · 526 students
Alum Rock Union Elementary
22 schools · 7,367 students
Voices College Bound Language Academy at Stockton District
1 school · 118 students
Berryessa Union Elementary
14 schools · 6,026 students
Cambrian
6 schools · 3,014 students
Campbell Union
12 schools · 6,183 students
Campbell Union High
6 schools · 8,613 students
Cupertino Union
23 schools · 13,587 students
East Side Union High
16 schools · 20,471 students
Evergreen Elementary
16 schools · 8,779 students
Franklin-McKinley Elementary
16 schools · 5,766 students
Fremont Union High
6 schools · 9,646 students
Luther Burbank
1 school · 431 students
Moreland
7 schools · 3,863 students
Morgan Hill Unified
13 schools · 7,963 students
Mount Pleasant Elementary
5 schools · 1,549 students
Oak Grove Elementary
18 schools · 8,714 students
Orchard Elementary
1 school · 760 students
San Jose Unified
41 schools · 25,059 students
Santa Clara Unified
30 schools · 14,236 students
Union Elementary
8 schools · 5,371 students
Santa Clara County Office of Education
4 schools · 1,408 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 Jose, California
How many schools are in San Jose, California?
San Jose has 327 schools, including 224 public and 103 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Jose, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Jose is 6.1 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 Jose, California?
The top-ranked school in San Jose on MySchoolScout is College Connection Academy with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Jose, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Jose on MySchoolScout is Noddin Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in San Jose, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Jose on MySchoolScout is College Connection Academy with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best high school in San Jose, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Jose on MySchoolScout is Kipp San Jose Collegiate with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve San Jose, California?
San Jose is served by 52 school districts: Discovery Charter District, Downtown College Preparatory District, Kipp Heartwood Academy District, B. Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy District, Ace Charter High District, Alpha Cindy Avitia High District, Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock District, Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory District, San Jose Conservation Corps Charter District, Voices College-Bound Language Acad at Morgan Hill Dist, Ace Esperanza Middle District, Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning District, Voices College-Bound Lang Acad @ W. Contra Costa Co District, Latino College Preparatory Academy District, Voices College-Bound Language Academy District, Luis Valdez Leadership Academy District, Kipp San Jose Collegiate District, Voices College-Bound Language Acad at Mt. Pleasant Dist, Ace Inspire Academy District, Alpha: Jose Hernandez District, Sunrise Middle District, Kipp Navigate College Prep District, Ace Empower Academy District, Alpha: Blanca Alvarado District, Summit Public School: Tahoma District, University Preparatory Academy Charter District, Kipp Prize Preparatory Academy District, Downtown College Preparatory Middle District, Kipp Heritage Academy District, Escuela Popular/ctr for Trn and Cars Fam Lrng Dist, Discovery Charter II District, Alum Rock Union Elementary, Voices College Bound Language Academy at Stockton District, Berryessa Union Elementary, Cambrian, Campbell Union, Campbell Union High, Cupertino Union, East Side Union High, Evergreen Elementary, Franklin-Mckinley Elementary, Fremont Union High, Luther Burbank, Moreland, Morgan Hill Unified, Mount Pleasant Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Orchard Elementary, San Jose Unified, Santa Clara Unified, Union Elementary, Santa Clara County Office of Education.
What is the education level in San Jose, California?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in San Jose have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Jose, California?
The median household income in San Jose is approximately $150,368 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Jose, California?
Yes, San Jose has 103 private schools alongside 224 public schools. The top-rated private school is Liberty Baptist School with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Jose, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Jose is 18.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Jose, 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.