Best Schools in Signal Hill, California
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Signal Hill?
Use this page to compare every school in Signal Hill 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.
Jessie Nelson Academy
Middle · Long Beach Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Signal Hill Elementary
Elementary · Long Beach Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Alvarado Elementary
Elementary · Long Beach Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Signal Hill for 2026 are Jessie Nelson Academy (6.6/10), Signal Hill Elementary (5.3/10), and Alvarado Elementary (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$730,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$730,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +16.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Signal Hill schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Signal Hill
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 4 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessie Nelson Academy | 6.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Signal Hill Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Alvarado Elementary | 5.1 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $102,684
- Median home value
- $730,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Signal Hill compares
California rank
#500 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$103k
103% of California median
Schools in this city
3
Long Beach Unified runs Signal Hill's public schools
3 public schools. Long Beach Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Signal Hill is a Long Beach Unified school (3 of 3).
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.1 to 6.6 — the spread is inside Signal Hill, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Signal Hill, California
Signal Hill, California is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Signal Hill show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Signal Hill is Jessie Nelson Academy with a composite score of 6.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Signal Hill is served by 1 school district: Long Beach Unified. These districts collectively serve 63,966 students.
Signal Hill's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $102,684. The poverty rate in the area is 9.0%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 620 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 |
| 2 | 394 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 818 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Signal Hill
Signal Hill, California · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$102,684
Median Home Value
$730,200
Median Rent
$1,817/mo
Population
11,654
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Community Profile
Signal Hill has a median household income of $102,684. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $730,200, with a median rent of $1,817/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Signal Hill, California
How many schools are in Signal Hill, California?
Signal Hill has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Signal Hill, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Signal Hill is 5.7 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 Signal Hill, California?
The top-ranked school in Signal Hill on MySchoolScout is Jessie Nelson Academy with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Signal Hill, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Signal Hill on MySchoolScout is Signal Hill Elementary with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Signal Hill, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Signal Hill on MySchoolScout is Jessie Nelson Academy with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Signal Hill, California?
Signal Hill is served by 1 school district: Long Beach Unified.
What is the education level in Signal Hill, California?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Signal Hill have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Signal Hill, California?
The median household income in Signal Hill is approximately $102,684 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Signal Hill, California?
Yes, Signal Hill has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Signal Hill, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Signal Hill is 19.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Signal Hill, 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.