Best Schools in Santa Rosa, California
89 schools · 51 Elementary · 7 Middle · 20 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in Santa Rosa?
Use this page to compare every school in Santa Rosa 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.
Austin Creek Elementary
Elementary · Rincon Valley Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Santa Rosa French-american Charter (srfacs)
Elementary · Santa Rosa Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kid Street Charter
Elementary · Kid Street Charter District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Santa Rosa for 2026 are Austin Creek Elementary (8.8/10), Santa Rosa French-american Charter (srfacs) (8.8/10), and Kid Street Charter (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
89
62 public · 27 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$717,917
home value · ACS
Districts
20
serving the city
Schools
89
62 public · 27 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$717,917
home value · ACS
Districts
20
serving the city
Rates 8.7/10 despite 74% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.8 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 Santa Rosa schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +18.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Santa Rosa schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Santa Rosa
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 89). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Creek Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa French-american Charter (srfacs) | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Kid Street Charter | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Village Charter | 8.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Yulupa Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Mark West Charter | 8.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Spring Lake Charter | 7.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Northwest Prep Charter | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Sonoma Country Day School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Mark West Elementary | 7.2 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $99,545
- Median home value
- $717,917
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
16% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Santa Rosa compares
California rank
#495 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$100k
100% of California median
Schools in this city
73
Education Snapshot
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaSanta Rosa's school landscape spans 89 schools across 20 districts, serving roughly 32,571 students — one of the more fragmented governance structures relative to enrollment in Northern California. The average MySchoolScout composite rating across 73 scored schools is 5.4/10, nearly a full point below California's state average of 6.3/10, which makes individual school selection more consequential than in peer cities. The level mix skews toward elementary: 51 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 20 high schools, plus 11 alternative or combined programs. Twenty-two of the 89 schools are charters — about one in four — giving families meaningful choice beyond traditional district programs. The median household income of $99,637 falls 5% below California's statewide median of $105,206, and 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, context that tracks with the below-average composite ratings across the city.
About Schools in Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa's public school system spans 62 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The citywide average sits at 5.7 out of 10, which tracks close to California's broader middle-of-the-road baseline. That average, however, masks real variation across the city — from schools scoring in the low 4s to standouts pushing well above 8.
The upper tier is selective but meaningful. Nine schools, roughly 15% of Santa Rosa's ranked public schools, score 7 or higher. Mark West Elementary leads the city at 8.7 out of 10, followed closely by Kid Street Charter at 8.6 and Spring Lake Charter at 8.5. These three elementary schools sit well above the city average and represent Santa Rosa's strongest academic performers. Roseland Elementary (7.9) and Bellevue Elementary (7.8) round out the top five, both clearing the 7-point threshold that signals consistently strong outcomes. All five of the city's highest performers are elementary schools, so parents of younger children have the most concentrated set of high-quality options to pursue.
Santa Rosa's charter schools play a notable role at the top. Kid Street Charter and Spring Lake Charter both rank among the city's three best schools, making charter enrollment a practical consideration for families who prioritize performance. Availability and lottery timelines vary, so parents should contact those schools early in the enrollment cycle.
For families moving to Santa Rosa or reassessing their current school, the 5.7 average is a useful anchor. Most neighborhood schools cluster in the 4–6 range, which means location alone won't reliably land a child in a high-performing school. The gap between the city average and the top tier is more than three full points — large enough to matter in practice. Parents should cross-reference school scores with their specific address boundaries, check charter waitlist policies, and compare individual school data rather than relying on neighborhood assumptions. With 62 ranked schools spread across a mid-sized city, Santa Rosa rewards parents who do the legwork.
Elementary Schools
51 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 357 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 468 students · Kindergarten–7th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 116 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 113 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.7 |
| 5 | 560 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.7 |
| 6 | 107 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.0 |
| 7 | 337 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 424 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 811 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.1 |
| 10 | 463 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.8 |
Show all 51 elementary schools in Santa Rosa
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 129 students · 5th–6th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 378 students · 4th–6th | 5.1 |
| 3 | 780 students · 7th–8th | 4.8 |
| 4 | 216 students · 7th–8th | 4.7 |
| 5 | 442 students · 7th–8th | 4.4 |
| 6 | 690 students · 7th–8th | 4.0 |
| 7 | 458 students · 7th–8th | 3.5 |
High Schools
20 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,585 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,636 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 1,433 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 | ||
| 4 | 1,384 students · 9th–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 5 | 274 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 6 | 980 students · 9th–12th | 3.1 | ||
| Private Schools 14 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | North Valley School
Private
35 students · 5th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | Cardinal Newman High School
Private
512 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | Stony Point Christian Academy
Private
30 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 224 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 20 high schools in Santa Rosa
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 1,250 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 68 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 4 | 36 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 5 | 423 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.9 | ||
| 6 | 212 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.9 | ||
| 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 | 256 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 88 students · 1st–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | Lattice Educational Services
Private
65 students · UG–UG | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | Victory Christian Academy
Private
151 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 | ||
Show all 11 other schools in Santa Rosa
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, California · 89 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$99,545
Median Home Value
$717,917
Median Rent
$2,094/mo
Population
210,635
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Community Profile
Santa Rosa has a median household income of $99,545. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $717,917, with a median rent of $2,094/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 51
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 20
- Other
- 11
Resources
School Districts (20)
Windsor Unified
7 schools · 4,565 students
Piner-Olivet Charter District
1 school · 216 students
Morrice Schaefer Charter District
1 school · 292 students
Kid Street Charter District
1 school · 116 students
Olivet Elementary Charter District
1 school · 320 students
Northwest Prep Charter District
1 school · 153 students
Village Charter District
1 school · 113 students
Pivot Charter School - North Bay District
1 school · 423 students
Roseland Charter District
1 school · 1,250 students
Bellevue Union
4 schools · 1,609 students
Bennett Valley Union Elementary
2 schools · 938 students
Mark West Union Elementary
4 schools · 1,342 students
Oak Grove Union Elementary
2 schools · 819 students
Piner-Olivet Union Elementary
1 school · 266 students
Rincon Valley Union Elementary
9 schools · 3,112 students
Roseland
3 schools · 1,480 students
Santa Rosa Elementary
13 schools · 4,741 students
Santa Rosa High
12 schools · 9,941 students
Wright Elementary
3 schools · 1,263 students
Sonoma County Office of Education
3 schools · 327 students
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 Santa Rosa, California
How many schools are in Santa Rosa, California?
Santa Rosa has 89 schools, including 62 public and 27 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Santa Rosa, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Santa Rosa is 5.4 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 Santa Rosa, California?
The top-ranked school in Santa Rosa on MySchoolScout is Austin Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Santa Rosa, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Santa Rosa on MySchoolScout is Austin Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Santa Rosa, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Santa Rosa on MySchoolScout is Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Santa Rosa, California?
The top-ranked high school in Santa Rosa on MySchoolScout is Maria Carrillo High with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Santa Rosa, California?
Santa Rosa is served by 20 school districts: Windsor Unified, Piner-olivet Charter District, Morrice Schaefer Charter District, Kid Street Charter District, Olivet Elementary Charter District, Northwest Prep Charter District, Village Charter District, Pivot Charter School - North Bay District, Roseland Charter District, Bellevue Union, Bennett Valley Union Elementary, Mark West Union Elementary, Oak Grove Union Elementary, Piner-olivet Union Elementary, Rincon Valley Union Elementary, Roseland, Santa Rosa Elementary, Santa Rosa High, Wright Elementary, Sonoma County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Santa Rosa, California?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Santa Rosa have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Santa Rosa, California?
The median household income in Santa Rosa is approximately $99,545 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Santa Rosa, California?
Yes, Santa Rosa has 27 private schools alongside 62 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sonoma Country Day School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Rosa, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa, 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
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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.