Best Schools in Ukiah, California
23 schools · 10 Elementary · 1 Middle · 6 High · 6 Other
Choosing a school in Ukiah?
Use this page to compare every school in Ukiah 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.
Tree of Life Charter
Elementary · Tree of Life Charter District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grace Hudson Elementary
Elementary · Ukiah Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Frank Zeek Elementary
Elementary · Ukiah Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ukiah for 2026 are Tree of Life Charter (8.8/10), Grace Hudson Elementary (7.6/10), and Frank Zeek Elementary (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 17 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
23
18 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$473,000
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Schools
23
18 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$473,000
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Rates 7.6/10 despite 81% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Ukiah schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +11.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Ukiah schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Ukiah
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (17 of 23). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tree of Life Charter | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Grace Hudson Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Frank Zeek Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Ukiah Independent Study Academy | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | River Oak Charter | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Sequoia Career Academy | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Yokayo Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Redwood Collegiate Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Ukiah Junior Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 10 | St Mary at the Angels Catholic School | 6.0 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $70,063
- Median home value
- $473,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
24% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ukiah compares
California rank
#329 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$70k
70% of California median
Schools in this city
17
About Schools in Ukiah, California
Ukiah's public school landscape spans 15 ranked schools with an average score of 6.1 out of 10 — a competitive middle range that rewards parents who look closely at individual campuses rather than settling for the nearest option. The spread matters: only three schools, or 20% of the ranked total, score 7 or above, meaning standout performers are real but selective. Families willing to explore their enrollment options will find meaningful differences across grade levels.
At the elementary level, Ukiah punches above its size. Frank Zeek Elementary leads the entire city with an 8.6 out of 10, making it the clear top performer and a strong anchor for families with young children. Yokayo Elementary follows at 7.9, and Tree of Life Charter rounds out the top tier at 7.8 — giving parents three legitimate high-performing options before their kids ever reach middle school. All three sit in that 7-plus band that only 20% of Ukiah schools reach, so the elementary years represent the city's strongest academic window.
The picture shifts in the upper grades. Pomolita Middle scores 6.6, sitting near the city average but below the elementary leaders. Redwood Collegiate Academy, Ukiah's top-ranked high school, earns a 6.8 — respectable, though noticeably below the elementary ceiling. Parents accustomed to Frank Zeek's 8.6 should set expectations accordingly as students advance: the performance gradient between elementary and secondary here is steeper than in higher-scoring cities.
Practically speaking, Ukiah offers a workable path for families who plan ahead. Lock in one of the three high-performing elementary schools early, then evaluate middle and high school options with clear eyes — the 6.6–6.8 scores at those levels are real data points, not gaps to explain away. Charter options like Tree of Life expand the menu beyond the traditional district assignment. For parents relocating to Mendocino County, Ukiah's school quality varies enough by campus that address and school selection deserve equal weight in the housing search.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 89 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 421 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 435 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.5 | ||
| 4 | 245 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 5 | 440 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 6 | 477 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.4 | ||
| 7 | 407 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 8 | 315 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 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 | 166 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | St. Mary of the Angels
Private
140 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 771 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 133 students · 7th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 2 | 1,745 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | 118 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 19 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
| 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 | 107 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Ukiah Junior Academy
Private
114 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 122 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 127 students · 4th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 71 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 9 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 5 | 14 students · Kindergarten–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 | Ukiah Junior Academy
Private
95 students · Kindergarten–10th | 6.1 | ||
Schools in Ukiah
Ukiah, California · 23 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,063
Median Home Value
$473,000
Median Rent
$1,335/mo
Population
33,396
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Community Profile
Ukiah has a median household income of $70,063. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $473,000, with a median rent of $1,335/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 6
- Other
- 6
Resources
School Districts (7)
Redwood Collegiate Academy District
1 school · 133 students
Sequoia Career Academy District
1 school · 127 students
La Vida Charter District
1 school · 71 students
Tree of Life Charter District
1 school · 89 students
River Oak Charter District
1 school · 245 students
Ukiah Unified
11 schools · 5,814 students
Mendocino County Office of Education
3 schools · 43 students
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 Ukiah, California
How many schools are in Ukiah, California?
Ukiah has 23 schools, including 18 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ukiah, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ukiah is 6.2 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 Ukiah, California?
The top-ranked school in Ukiah on MySchoolScout is Tree of Life Charter with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ukiah, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ukiah on MySchoolScout is Tree of Life Charter with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Ukiah, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Ukiah on MySchoolScout is Pomolita Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Ukiah, California?
The top-ranked high school in Ukiah on MySchoolScout is Redwood Collegiate Academy with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Ukiah, California?
Ukiah is served by 7 school districts: Redwood Collegiate Academy District, Sequoia Career Academy District, La Vida Charter District, Tree of Life Charter District, River Oak Charter District, Ukiah Unified, Mendocino County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Ukiah, California?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Ukiah have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ukiah, California?
The median household income in Ukiah is approximately $70,063 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ukiah, California?
Yes, Ukiah has 5 private schools alongside 18 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ukiah Junior Academy with a score of 6.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ukiah, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ukiah is 16.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ukiah, 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
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, 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.