5.4 avg / 10

Best Schools in Sonora, California

14 schools · 5 Elementary · 4 High · 5 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 10

Private: 4

Districts: 6

Avg Rating: 5.4/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.4/10
Median household income: $72,433
Median home value: $416,200
Bachelor's degree or higher: 24%
Avg commute: 30 min
Owner-occupied homes: 71%

How Sonora compares

California rank

#509 of 596

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.9

below California avg (6.3)

Median household income

$72k

73% of California median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Sonora, California

Sonora, California is home to 14 schools, including 10 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, , and 4 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Sonora show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Sonora is Belleview Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Sonora is served by 6 school districts. These districts collectively serve 2,885 students.

Sonora's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,433. The poverty rate in the area is 12.2%.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (14) Elementary (5) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (14) Public (10) Private (4)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (14) Academics (14) Growth (7) Diversity (8) Resources (8)

Filter by ZIP: 95370 (14)

Elementary Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Belleview Elementary 166 students · Kindergarten–8th	166	Kindergarten–8th	9.3
2	Sonora Elementary 693 students · Kindergarten–8th	693	Kindergarten–8th	4.7
3	Curtis Creek Elementary 422 students · Kindergarten–8th	422	Kindergarten–8th	3.7
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY Private 30 students · Pre-K–2nd	30	Pre-K–2nd	Not Rated
2	Safari Learning Academy Private 19 students · Kindergarten–1st	19	Kindergarten–1st	Not Rated

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Dario Cassina High 35 students · 10th–12th	35	10th–12th	6.1
2	Sonora High 960 students · 9th–12th	960	9th–12th	4.1
3	Theodore Bird High 90 students · 9th–12th	90	9th–12th	3.2
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy Private 96 students · Kindergarten–11th	96	Kindergarten–11th	Not Rated

Other Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Gold Rush Home Study Charter 451 students · Kindergarten–12th	451	Kindergarten–12th	5.9
2	Tuolumne County Special Education 32 students · Kindergarten–12th	32	Kindergarten–12th	5.9
3	Tuolumne County Community/ISP 18 students · Kindergarten–12th	18	Kindergarten–12th	—
4	Gold Ridge Educational Center 10 students · 1st–12th	10	1st–12th	—
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	MOTHER LODE ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Private 103 students · Kindergarten–10th	103	Kindergarten–10th	Not Rated

Schools in Sonora

Sonora, California · 14 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$72,433

Median Home Value

$416,200

Median Rent

$1,313/mo

Population

28,373

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

71%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Community Profile

Sonora has a median household income of $72,433. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,200, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: California
Total Schools: 14
Elementary: 5
High: 4
Districts: 6
Avg Rating: 5.4/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Sonora schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Sonora 📊 Niche Sonora Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (6)

Gold Rush Home Study Charter District

1 school · 451 students

Belleview Elementary

2 schools · 167 students

Curtis Creek Elementary

1 school · 422 students

Sonora Elementary

2 schools · 693 students

Sonora Union High

3 schools · 1,092 students

Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools

4 schools · 60 students

Nearby Cities

Columbia (1 school)

4 mi

Soulsbyville (2 schools)

5 mi

Jamestown (5 schools)

5 mi

Twain Harte (1 school)

8 mi

Tuolumne (9 schools)

8 mi

Groveland (2 schools)

12 mi

Angels Camp (5 schools)

Placerville (1 school)

17 mi

Copperopolis (1 school)

16 mi

La Grange (2 schools)

21 mi

Coulterville (2 schools)

20 mi

Knights Ferry (1 school)

21 mi

San Andreas (7 schools)

23 mi

Other Major Cities in California

Top metros statewide by school count.

Los Angeles 928 schools San Diego 412 schools San Jose 335 schools San Francisco 297 schools Sacramento 273 schools

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 methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Sonora, California

How many schools are in Sonora, California?

Sonora has 14 schools, including 10 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Sonora, California?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sonora is 5.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Sonora, California?

The top-ranked school in Sonora on MySchoolScout is Belleview Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Sonora, California?

The top-ranked elementary school in Sonora on MySchoolScout is Belleview Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.

What is the best high school in Sonora, California?

The top-ranked high school in Sonora on MySchoolScout is Dario Cassina High with a composite score of 6.1/10.

How many school districts serve Sonora, California?

Sonora is served by 6 school districts: Gold Rush Home Study Charter District, Belleview Elementary, Curtis Creek Elementary, Sonora Elementary, Sonora Union High, Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools.

What is the education level in Sonora, California?

According to Census data, 24% of adults in Sonora have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Sonora, California?

The median household income in Sonora is approximately $72,433 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Sonora, California?

Yes, Sonora has 4 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mother Lode Adventist JR Academy with a score of 5.5/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Sonora, California?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sonora is 15.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sonora, 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.