Best Schools in Terra Bella, California
4 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Terra Bella?
Use this page to compare every school in Terra Bella 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.
Terra Bella Elementary
Elementary · Terra Bella Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carl Smith Middle
Middle · Terra Bella Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Saucelito Elementary
Elementary · Saucelito Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Terra Bella for 2026 are Terra Bella Elementary (7.8/10), Carl Smith Middle (7.3/10), and Saucelito Elementary (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$291,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$291,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +3.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Terra Bella schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Terra Bella
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terra Bella Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Carl Smith Middle | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Saucelito Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Zion Lutheran School | 6.4 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $76,795
- Median home value
- $291,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 6%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Terra Bella compares
California rank
#165 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
77% of California median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Terra Bella, California
Terra Bella, California is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Terra Bella show moderate performance 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 Terra Bella is Terra Bella Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Terra Bella is served by 2 school districts: Saucelito Elementary, Terra Bella Union Elementary. These districts collectively serve 825 students.
Terra Bella's community shows 6% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $76,795. The poverty rate in the area is 10.5%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 481 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 71 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 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 | Zion Lutheran School
Private
31 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.4 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 273 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
Schools in Terra Bella
Terra Bella, California · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$76,795
Median Home Value
$291,800
Median Rent
$1,082/mo
Population
5,703
College Educated
6%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Community Profile
Terra Bella has a median household income of $76,795. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,800, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
Resources
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 Terra Bella, California
How many schools are in Terra Bella, California?
Terra Bella has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Terra Bella, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Terra Bella is 7.0 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 Terra Bella, California?
The top-ranked school in Terra Bella on MySchoolScout is Terra Bella Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Terra Bella, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Terra Bella on MySchoolScout is Terra Bella Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Terra Bella, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Terra Bella on MySchoolScout is Carl Smith Middle with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Terra Bella, California?
Terra Bella is served by 2 school districts: Saucelito Elementary, Terra Bella Union Elementary.
What is the education level in Terra Bella, California?
According to Census data, 6% of adults in Terra Bella have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Terra Bella, California?
The median household income in Terra Bella is approximately $76,795 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Terra Bella, California?
Yes, Terra Bella has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Zion Lutheran School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Terra Bella, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Terra Bella is 17.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Terra Bella, 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.