La Canada Unified School District
School District · La Canada, California
Avg Rating
8.4
out of 10
Schools
4
3 elem, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,784
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Avg Rating
8.4
out of 10
Schools
4
3 elem, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,784
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Evaluating La Canada Unified?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge La Canada Unified as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Palm Crest Elementary
La Canada · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
La Canada High
La Canada · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Paradise Canyon Elementary
La Canada · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
California rank
#30 of 713
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+2.1
above California avg
Per-pupil spending
$16,784
$863 vs California median
District size
3,937 students
Larger than California median
The short answer
La Canada Unified ranks #30 of 713 California districts by overall school rating. La Canada Unified's schools with real test data average 8.4/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are Palm Crest Elementary (9.0/10), La Canada High (8.6/10), and Paradise Canyon Elementary (8.5/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +2.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among La Canada Unified schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in La Canada Unified
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating 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 | Palm Crest Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | La Canada High | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Paradise Canyon Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | La Canada Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
See all 4 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About La Canada Unified
La Canada Unified is a La Canada, California school district serving 4 schools. The district educates 3,937 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24:1. The district invests $16,784 per student annually.
With an average rating of 8.4/10, La Canada Unified is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Palm Crest Elementary, which has a composite score of 9.0/10.
In standardized testing, La Canada Unified students show an average math proficiency of 86.8% and ELA proficiency of 88.1%.
The district includes 3 elementary schools , and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in La Canada Unified, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in La Canada Unified with test data.
Schools in La Canada Unified
4 schools Elementary Schools 3
High Schools 1
District Details
- State
- California
- City
- La Canada
- Total Enrollment
- 3,937
- Teachers (FTE)
- 164
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.0%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in La Canada Unified?
La Canada Unified has 4 schools in total — 3 elementary, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for La Canada Unified?
The average composite rating for La Canada Unified is 8.4/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in La Canada Unified?
La Canada Unified spends $16,784 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Canada Unified?
The average student-teacher ratio in La Canada Unified is 24:1.
What is the top-rated school in La Canada Unified?
Palm Crest Elementary is the highest-rated school in La Canada Unified with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What are the test scores in La Canada Unified?
Across schools in La Canada Unified with test data, the average math proficiency is 86.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 88.1%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does La Canada Unified compare to other districts in California?
La Canada Unified has an average school rating of 8.4/10 across 4 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 8.4/10
- Math Proficiency
- 86.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 88.1%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in CA
Compare La Canada Unified with neighboring districts in the state.
- Los Angeles Unified (785)
- San Diego Unified (175)
- San Francisco Unified (113)
- Fresno Unified (101)
- Long Beach Unified (82)
- Oakland Unified (82)
- San Bernardino City Unified (76)
- Sacramento City Unified (73)
- San Juan Unified (68)
- Elk Grove Unified (67)
- Garden Grove Unified (66)
- Capistrano Unified (59)
- West Contra Costa Unified (54)
- Stockton Unified (54)
- Corona-norco Unified (53)
- Mt. Diablo Unified (52)
- Santa Ana Unified (52)
- Clovis Unified (50)
- Lodi Unified (49)
- Riverside Unified (49)
- Bakersfield City (45)
- Irvine Unified (45)
- Fontana Unified (44)
- Fremont Unified (44)
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.
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