Choosing the best schools in Sacramento, CA may seem impossible with nearly 325 public and private elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to choose from. The Sacramento City Unified School District alone has over 75 schools serving 40,711 students in grades K-12. Sacramento also offers three public Waldorf schools and California’s only Hmong language immersion program.
This guide features the best school districts in Sacramento to help you choose the right neighborhood and school for your family, based on classroom size, test performance, and student achievement.
Center Unified School District | Antelope, CA
- Address: 8408 Watt Avenue, Antelope, CA 95843
- Phone: (916) 338-6400
- Enrollment: 4,476
Center Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) was founded in 1858 and currently has nine schools: 2 high schools, 1 middle school, and 4 elementary schools. The main high school, Center High, was ranked the third-best public school in the state and has 41% math proficiency and 68% reading proficiency. The other high school, McClellan High, is designated as an alternative school to help at-risk students graduate, which has led to the CJUSD having a higher graduation rate than the California state average.
District state test scores show 33% of students are proficient in math and 48% proficient in reading.
- Average class size: 24
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 22:1
- College readiness: 21.1
- Graduation rate: 91%
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District | Roseville, CA
- Address: 8849 Cook Riolo Road, Roseville, CA 95747
- Phone: (916)770-8800
- Enrollment: 6,852
- Grades: TK(Transitional Kindergarten) – 8th grade
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District was founded in 1876 and includes 6 elementary schools, 1 TK-8 school, 2 middle schools, and Connections Academy, an independent study program and virtual school option. The district is located within 20 miles of downtown Sacramento and serves suburban areas of Roseville and Antelope in Northern California. Schools are assigned based on residential addresses.
Dry Creek is an award-winning school district ranked in the top 30% of public schools in the state of California, Dry Creek prepares students to become active and responsible citizens while providing a strong STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curriculum. The district has an average math proficiency score of 51% (compared to California’s public school average of 40%) which puts them in the top 20% of math proficiency scores in California, and a reading proficiency score of 60% (compared to 51% in California statewide).
- Average class size: 24
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 23:1
Folsom Cordova Unified School District | Rancho Cordova, CA
- Address: 1965 Birkmont Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
- Phone: (916) 294-9025
- Enrollment: 20,800
- Grades: K – 12
Folsom Cordova Unified School District was founded in 1949 and serves the cities of Rancho Cordova and Folsom, each with populations of about 73,000. The cities are adjacent to Highway 50 and located northeast of Downtown Sacramento. Students are assigned a school based on their residential addresses, but to balance class loads at each school, students may be bussed to other schools within the district.
There are 33 schools in the district: 4 high schools, 4 middle schools, 21 elementary schools, and 5 alternative schools. The public school district is ranked the best school district in Sacramento County with 52% of students proficient in math and 63% proficient in reading. Both advanced placement and gifted programs are offered in the district, and if your student is an athlete, you’ll be happy to know the district ranks #14 (out of 440) for best school districts for athletes in the state of California.
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 23:1
- College readiness: 14.9
- Graduation rate: 90%
Elk Grove Unified School District | Elk Grove, CA
- Address: 9510 Elk Grove-Florin Rd, Elk Grove, CA 95624
- Phone: (916)686-5085
- Enrollment: 63,947
- Grades: K-12 and adult education
Elk Grove Unified School District focuses on college and career preparation and is recognized as a leader in progressive education in the state of California. As the 5th largest school district in California, EGUSD covers 320 square miles and has 67 schools: 42 elementary, 9 middle schools, 9 high schools, 4 alternative education schools, 1 charter school, 1 special education school, 1 adult education school, and a virtual academy for grades K-8.
To provide career preparation, EGUSD offers 60 career-themed academies and pathways to choose from. The district also offers Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs, Advanced Placement courses, honors, and international baccalaureate classes. EGUSD is also well-known across the United States for its unique Native American Education program.
Elk Grove is ranked #2 best school district in Sacramento County. State test scores show 45% of students are proficient in math and 56% are proficient in reading. The district is also ranked #2 (out of 704) for California’s most diverse school districts.
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 23:1
- College readiness: 31.1
- Graduation rate: 82.4%
Natomas Unified School District | Sacramento, CA
- Address: 1901 Arena Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95834
- Phone: (916) 567-5400
- Enrollment: 11,248
- Grades: PreK – 12 and adult education
Natomas Unified School District is located a few minutes north of downtown Sacramento. The district is focused on college and career preparation for all students, and offers high-quality education programs including international baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Career Technical Education (CTE). The district has 14 schools.
Natomas has a 96% graduation rate, compared to California’s state average of 84%. Natomas is ranked #6 of the best school districts in Sacramento County, with 34% of students proficient in math and 47% proficient in reading.
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 22:1
- College readiness: 34.1
- Graduation rate: 96%
San Juan Unified School District | Carmichael, CA
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- Address: 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608
- Phone: (916) 971-7700
- Enrollment: 39,750
- Grades: PreK-12 and adult education
The San Juan Unified School District serves several communities, including Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and parts of Rancho Cordova and Sacramento. The district has a total of 68 schools: 34 elementary schools, eight K-8 schools, 8 middle schools, 9 high schools, several alternative schools, early childhood centers, and adult education schools.
The San Juan Unified School District is ranked #5 best school district in Sacramento County. They offer advanced placement courses, gifted programs, and international baccalaureate. About 46% of the students are proficient in reading and 37% are proficient in math.
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 24:1
- College readiness: 23.3
- Graduation rate: 76.5%
Sacramento City Unified School District | Sacramento, CA
- Address: 5735 47th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824
- Phone: (916) 643-7400
- Enrollment: 47,900
- Grades: PreK-12 and Adult Education
Sacramento City Unified School District is an open enrollment district that gives parents a choice for which school they would like to send their child. Each child is assigned a designated neighborhood school based on their home address, but you can apply to attend a different school through the Open Enrollment K-8 procedure, or high school aged students can choose a High School Specialty Program such as Criminal Justice, Law and Public Policy, Visual and Performance Arts, Medical, School of Sciences and Engineering, and Business.
There are 53 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, and 14 high schools. Sacramento City Unified School District is in the top 1% of the most diverse in California, with 41% Hispanic/Latino, 18% Asian, 17% White, 13% Black, and 10% other races. About 52% of students are economically disadvantaged.
- Student-to-teacher ratios: 23:1
- College readiness: 35
- Graduation rate: 85.2%
Best Private Schools in Sacramento
If you prefer to send your children to private schools, you’ll have a lot to choose from in Sacramento! There are 59 private schools serving just under 12,000 students in the city. The top-ranked private schools include:
Brookfield School
- Grades: Preschool – 8th grade
- Students: 232
- Tuition: $14,500/per year
- Acceptance rate: 50%
Sacramento Country Day School
- Grades: PreK – 12
- Students: 545
- Tuition: $25,450/per year
- Acceptance rate: 50%
Sacramento School Districts FAQs
What is the best school district in Sacramento?
Sacramento City Unified School District has the top high school in the Sacramento metro area at West Campus High School.
Does Sacramento have good schools?
Sacramento offers hundreds of schools across numerous districts, many of which rank in the top 30% of schools nationwide for reading and math proficiency and college readiness.
What is the top-rated school district in Sacramento?
Folsom Cardova Unified School District is ranked the best public school district in Sacramento County with 52% of students proficient in math and 63% proficient in reading.
Moving to Sacramento?
When you’re looking to move to a Sacramento neighborhood with school-aged children it’s important to review the school districts to find a good match for your children. Once you’ve made your decision, call our experienced Sacramento movers at Mother Lode Van & Storage (916-631-4285) to help make your relocation stress-free and efficient!
