Best Schools in Willows, California
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Willows?
Use this page to compare every school in Willows 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.
Walden Academy
Elementary · Walden Academy District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Willows High
High · Willows Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Willows Intermediate
Middle · Willows Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Willows for 2026 are Walden Academy (7.5/10), Willows High (6.5/10), and Willows Intermediate (4.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$299,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$299,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +3.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Willows schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Willows
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walden Academy | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Willows High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Willows Intermediate | 4.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Glenn County Special Education | 4.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Murdock Elementary | 3.5 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $78,913
- Median home value
- $299,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Willows compares
California rank
#516 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
79% of California median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Willows, California
Willows, California is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Willows 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 Willows is Walden Academy with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Willows is served by 3 school districts: Walden Academy District, Willows Unified, Glenn County Office of Education. These districts collectively serve 1,836 students.
Willows's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $78,913. The poverty rate in the area is 14.0%.
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 | 186 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 592 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 316 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 428 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 21 students · 10th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.3 |
Schools in Willows
Willows, California · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$78,913
Median Home Value
$299,300
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Population
9,060
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
57%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Community Profile
Willows has a median household income of $78,913. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,300, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 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 Willows, California
How many schools are in Willows, California?
Willows has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Willows, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Willows is 5.3 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 Willows, California?
The top-ranked school in Willows on MySchoolScout is Walden Academy with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Willows, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Willows on MySchoolScout is Walden Academy with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Willows, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Willows on MySchoolScout is Willows Intermediate with a composite score of 4.7/10.
What is the best high school in Willows, California?
The top-ranked high school in Willows on MySchoolScout is Willows High with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Willows, California?
Willows is served by 3 school districts: Walden Academy District, Willows Unified, Glenn County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Willows, California?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Willows have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Willows, California?
The median household income in Willows is approximately $78,913 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Willows, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Willows is 17.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Willows, 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.