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Excellent

#58 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 3% of private schools

Polytechnic School

School

1030 E CALIFORNIA BLVD, Pasadena, CA 91106

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 21 schools in Pasadena. Learn more

Enrollment

871

Student-Teacher

6.7:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Pasadena

#2 of 21

public schools

California schools

#13 of 366

About Polytechnic School

Polytechnic School serves 871 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Pasadena, offering an impressive academic environment with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1. With 130 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive considerable individual attention throughout their educational journey from elementary through high school. The school has earned recognition as one of California's top-performing institutions, ranking #155 out of 1,790 schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile.

This outstanding performance has earned Polytechnic School a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence across all grade levels. As a regular public school, Polytechnic School provides comprehensive K-12 education in a single campus setting, allowing for continuity and strong community bonds as students progress through their academic careers. The school's structure supports long-term relationships between educators, students, and families.

Located on East California Boulevard, Polytechnic School sits in an affluent area of Pasadena where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a community deeply invested in education. The surrounding neighborhood, with a median household income of $91,220, provides a supportive environment that values academic achievement and educational opportunity.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, Polytechnic School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Polytechnic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$54,470
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$61,350
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.13x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
66%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$176.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 871 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Polytechnic School compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Pasadena, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
This School
vs
22.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
871
This School
vs
709
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.2
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 37.2% vs 0%
Asian 22.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.9% vs 0%
Black 6.8% vs 0%
Polytechnic School Pasadena Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Polytechnic School (this school) 8.2
Rose City High (Continuation) 6.6
McKinley 4.3
Blair High 8.3
Hamilton Elementary 6.5
Madison Elementary 5.0
Marshall Fundamental 7.3
Learning Works 5.0
Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary 7.7
Norma Coombs Elementary 7.4
San Rafael Elementary 5.9
Options For Youth - Duarte Inc 3.1
Webster Elementary 5.3
Willard Elementary 8.4
Octavia E. Butler Magnet 7.2
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet 4.5
Pasadena High 8.6
CIS Academy 8.2
Alma Fuerte Public 7.1
Field (Eugene) Elementary 8.2
John Muir High 6.2

Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Pasadena

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,360
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 75%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 871
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 37.2%
Asian 22.3%
Two or More 21.1%
Hispanic 11.9%
Black 6.8%
Pacific Islander 0.5%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1030 E CALIFORNIA BLVD, Pasadena, CA 91106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Polytechnic School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Blair High (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Huntington Middle (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Marino), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Valentine Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Marino), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pasadena, see our Pasadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Rose City High (Continuation) Pasadena 0.5 mi 6.6
McKinley Pasadena 0.5 mi 4.3
St. Philip the Apostle Pasadena 0.7 mi
ST PHILIP THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Pasadena 0.7 mi 6.4
Fusion Academy Pasadena Downtown Pasadena 0.8 mi
FUSION ACADEMY PASADENA DOWNTOWN Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.7
ENCHANTED CASTLE PASADENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Pasadena 0.8 mi
Mayfield Junior School Pasadena 0.9 mi
International School of Los Angeles-PAS Pasadena 1.0 mi
MAYFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL Pasadena 0.9 mi 5.7
Twentieth Street Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 6.9
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES - PASADENA Pasadena 1.0 mi 6.9
Bridge Global Academy Pasadena 1.2 mi
Living Waters Academy Pasadena 1.2 mi
Blair High Pasadena 1.2 mi 8.3
Southwestern Academy San Marino 1.4 mi
Valentine Elementary San Marino 1.4 mi 7.9
Hamilton Elementary Pasadena 1.3 mi 6.5
Huntington Middle San Marino 1.4 mi 8.1
THE WAVERLY SCHOOL Pasadena 1.3 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,213

Median Home Value

$966,700

Median Rent

$2,096/mo

Population

23,217

College Educated

63.2%

Homeownership

34.8%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Polytechnic School has a median household income of $89,213. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $966,700, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
WESTRIDGE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Pasadena, CA 8.1
HEAD ROYCE SCHOOL Oakland, CA 7.6
Independent Study Sojourner Truth Oakland, CA 7.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON Atherton, CA 7.5
SILICON VALLEY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Palo Alto, CA 7.4
THE NUEVA SCHOOL San Mateo, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Polytechnic School

What grades does Polytechnic School serve?

Polytechnic School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Polytechnic School?

Polytechnic School has an enrollment of approximately 871 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Polytechnic School?

The student-teacher ratio at Polytechnic School is 6.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Polytechnic School rank in CA?

Polytechnic School is ranked #58 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Polytechnic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Polytechnic School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Polytechnic School a private school?

Yes, Polytechnic School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Polytechnic School a religious school?

No, Polytechnic School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,203/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pasadena). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
871
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
131
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
200 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
LOS ANGELES
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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