Best Schools in Selma, California

Selma's public school system spans 11 ranked campuses averaging 6.0 out of 10 — a midrange baseline that covers elementary, middle, and high school options within the city. The spread matters: three schools, or 27% of the ranked set, score 7.0 or higher, while the remaining eight sit at or below the citywide average. Parents relying on neighborhood assignment should check individual school ratings carefully, because the gap between the city's top and bottom performers is meaningful.

Abraham Lincoln Middle School anchors the high end at 8.8 out of 10 — well above both the city average and the 7.0 threshold that separates the stronger tier. That score makes it the standout campus in Selma and a key reference point for families weighing the city against alternatives. At the elementary level, Andrew Jackson Elementary reaches 7.2, the highest elementary rating in the ranked set. Both campuses clear the performance bar that most parents set as a minimum when comparing cities.

Selma High School scores 7.0, which carries strategic weight: it means students who attend one of the city's stronger elementary programs are not walking into a significantly weaker high school. That kind of vertical consistency is worth factoring in when comparing Selma to peer markets. Eric White Elementary and James Garfield Elementary both score 6.2, landing in the middle of the local pack — adequate, but trailing the top-tier options by a measurable margin.

The practical takeaway: Selma offers one genuinely high-performing middle school, two elementary campuses worth prioritizing, and a high school that holds its own. With 73% of ranked schools scoring below 7.0 and the overall average sitting at 6.0, this is not a city where any campus will do — targeted enrollment decisions are worth the effort. Parents comparing Selma to nearby cities should use Abraham Lincoln Middle's 8.8 score and the 27% top-tier rate as the benchmarks to beat.