Best Schools in Willows, California
7 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 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.
Murdock Elementary
Elementary · Willows Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Walden Academy
Elementary · Walden Academy District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Willows Intermediate
Middle · Willows Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Willows for 2026 are Murdock Elementary (7.0/10), Walden Academy (6.5/10), and Willows Intermediate (6.2/10), 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$299,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
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 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murdock Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Walden Academy | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Willows Intermediate | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Willows High | 5.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Glenn County Special Education | 5.2 / 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
- 6.1/10
- 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
#385 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
79% of California median
Schools in this city
5
Willows Unified runs 67% of Willows's public schools
Willows touches 3 districts, but Willows Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Willows Unified accounts for 4 of 6 public schools (67%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.2 to 7.0 — the spread is inside Willows, not a citywide average.
- Willows Unified4 public · 67%
- Glenn County Office of Education1 public · 17%
- Walden Academy District1 public · 17%
About Schools in Willows, California
Willows, California is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Willows show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Willows is Murdock Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10, 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 | 592 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 186 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 316 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 428 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 21 students · 10th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 40 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 |
Schools in Willows
Willows, California · 7 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
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 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 6.1 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 Murdock Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Willows, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Willows on MySchoolScout is Murdock Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10.
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 6.2/10.
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 5.6/10.
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.
Are there private schools in Willows, California?
Yes, Willows has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Willows, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Willows is 16.3:1. 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.