Best Schools in South Pasadena, California
10 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in South Pasadena?
Use this page to compare every school in South Pasadena 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.
South Pasadena Middle
Middle · South Pasadena Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Monterey Hills Elementary
Elementary · South Pasadena Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Elementary · South Pasadena Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in South Pasadena for 2026 are South Pasadena Middle (9.0/10), Monterey Hills Elementary (8.6/10), and Arroyo Vista Elementary (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
10
5 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$1,545,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
5 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$1,545,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among South Pasadena schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in South Pasadena
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Pasadena Middle | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Monterey Hills Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Arroyo Vista Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Marengo Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | South Pasadena Senior High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Irl - Westmoreland Academy | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Almansor Academy (institute for Redesign of Learni | 6.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Holy Family Catholic School | 5.3 / 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
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $128,105
- Median home value
- $1,545,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 73%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 44%
63% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How South Pasadena compares
California rank
#62 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$128k
128% of California median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California is home to 10 schools, including 5 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in South Pasadena perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in South Pasadena is South Pasadena Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
South Pasadena is served by 1 school district: South Pasadena Unified. These districts collectively serve 4,687 students.
South Pasadena's community shows 73% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $128,105. The poverty rate in the area is 5.1%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 584 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 698 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 3 | 781 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 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 | Holy Family Catholic School
Private
305 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | 8 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,099 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 | ||
| 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 | 136 students · 1st–1st | 6.8 | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,494 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 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 | 146 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irl - Westmoreland Academy
Private
95 students · 2nd–12th | 6.9 |
Schools in South Pasadena
South Pasadena, California · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$128,105
Median Home Value
$1,545,100
Median Rent
$2,218/mo
Population
26,297
College Educated
73%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
South Pasadena has a median household income of $128,105. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,545,100, with a median rent of $2,218/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 South Pasadena, California
How many schools are in South Pasadena, California?
South Pasadena has 10 schools, including 5 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in South Pasadena, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in South Pasadena is 7.7 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 South Pasadena, California?
The top-ranked school in South Pasadena on MySchoolScout is South Pasadena Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in South Pasadena, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in South Pasadena on MySchoolScout is Monterey Hills Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in South Pasadena, California?
The top-ranked middle school in South Pasadena on MySchoolScout is South Pasadena Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in South Pasadena, California?
The top-ranked high school in South Pasadena on MySchoolScout is South Pasadena Senior High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve South Pasadena, California?
South Pasadena is served by 1 school district: South Pasadena Unified.
What is the education level in South Pasadena, California?
According to Census data, 73% of adults in South Pasadena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in South Pasadena, California?
The median household income in South Pasadena is approximately $128,105 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in South Pasadena, California?
Yes, South Pasadena has 5 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Irl - Westmoreland Academy with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Pasadena, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in South Pasadena is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in South Pasadena, 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
- Best Schools in San Diego, 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.