Best Schools in San Luis Obispo, California
25 schools · 12 Elementary · 2 Middle · 9 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $73,934
- Median home value
- $920,650
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 27%
35% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Luis Obispo compares
California rank
#258 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
74% of California median
Schools in this city
17
About Schools in San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California is home to 25 schools, including 16 public schools and 9 private schools. The city's schools span 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 9 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in San Luis Obispo show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in San Luis Obispo is C L Smith Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Luis Obispo is served by 3 school districts: Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter District, San Luis Coastal Unified, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. These districts collectively serve 8,075 students.
San Luis Obispo's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,934. The poverty rate in the area is 53.1%.
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
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 484 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 415 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 | ||
| 3 | 485 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.8 | ||
| 4 | 370 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.9 | ||
| 5 | 164 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.0 | ||
| 6 | 502 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.9 | ||
| 7 | 368 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL
Private
40 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL
Private
54 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | OLD MISSION SCHOOL
Private
299 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Old Mission School
Private
273 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 9 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 168 students · 4th–6th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 845 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,650 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 225 students · 10th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 73 students · 6th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 67 students · 10th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 16 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 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 | MISSION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
Private
273 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 350 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Lindamood-Bell Academy
Private
146 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 319 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
| 2 | 20 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California · 25 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,934
Median Home Value
$920,650
Median Rent
$1,898/mo
Population
54,199
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
27%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
53.1%
Community Profile
San Luis Obispo has a median household income of $73,934. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $920,650, with a median rent of $1,898/month. The area has a poverty rate of 53.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 25
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 9
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 6.5/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in San Luis Obispo, California
How many schools are in San Luis Obispo, California?
San Luis Obispo has 25 schools, including 16 public and 9 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Luis Obispo, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Luis Obispo is 6.5 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in San Luis Obispo, California?
The top-ranked school in San Luis Obispo on MySchoolScout is C L Smith Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Luis Obispo, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Luis Obispo on MySchoolScout is C L Smith Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in San Luis Obispo, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Luis Obispo on MySchoolScout is Teach Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in San Luis Obispo, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Luis Obispo on MySchoolScout is San Luis Obispo High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve San Luis Obispo, California?
San Luis Obispo is served by 3 school districts: Bellevue-santa Fe Charter District, San Luis Coastal Unified, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education.
What is the education level in San Luis Obispo, California?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in San Luis Obispo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Luis Obispo, California?
The median household income in San Luis Obispo is approximately $73,934 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Luis Obispo, California?
Yes, San Luis Obispo has 9 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mission College Prep High School with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Luis Obispo, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Luis Obispo is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Luis Obispo, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.