Two public school districts in California are recognized among the best in the nation, landing spots in the top 12 overall.
La Cañada Unified School District is ranked seventh, while Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District follows closely at twelfth. This recognition comes from a list that highlights “America’s Best School District.”
Notably, these are the only California districts in the top 15, with a total of five from the state making it into the top 25.
La Cañada Unified, located just a few miles north of Pasadena, serves around 4,000 students across K-12 levels. They describe themselves as a “high-achieving school district” with a positive and collaborative environment, boasting that 98% of their high school graduates continue onto higher education.
Interestingly, the college acceptance rate for students in California sits at 65.7%, according to the latest data for the 2022-23 school year.
Alumni from La Cañada include notable figures such as activist Timothy Ballard and musician Trace Cyrus, among others. Parents have expressed strong approval of the district, with one stating, “Both of my children have gone through the La Cañada school system, and I think it is the best public school system I have ever seen. Great teachers, lots of parent involvement, and highly motivated students.”
Meanwhile, Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, located near San Jose, serves about 4,539 students. The district takes pride in its connection to Silicon Valley, describing that connection as embodying a spirit of diversity and innovation. Like La Cañada, this district also reports that 98% of its graduates advance to higher education institutions.
However, reviews of the school suggest that while it offers excellent resources, it can create a stressful environment due to a strong focus on academic success. Concerns about student mental health were mentioned, despite available support resources.
Some alumni from Mountain View-Los Altos include Major League Baseball umpire Ted Barrett and former Attorney General Theodore Olson.
Besides these two, three other California school districts have made it into the top 25: San Dieguito Union High School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District. Currently, the top-ranked district nationwide is Glenbrook High School District 225 located in Glenview, Illinois.
