The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20%
29%
Avg. Statewide: 24%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in California (2026)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
29%
(52 out of 179)
(52 out of 179)
Rank: #22.
28%
(115 out of 404)
(115 out of 404)
- Millikin Elementary School
Rank: #2 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%) - Murdock-portal Elementary School
Rank: #5 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%) - William Faria Elementary School
Rank: #5 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Santa Clara County, CA Schools
Rank: #33.
27%
(20 out of 75)
(20 out of 75)
- Old Mill Elementary School
Rank: #59 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%) - Park Elementary School
Rank: #156 of 9,523 (Top 5%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%) - Ross Elementary School
Rank: #181 of 9,523 (Top 5%)
(Math: 81% | Reading: 85%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Marin County, CA Schools
Rank: #44.
22%
(141 out of 643)
(141 out of 643)
Rank: #55.
21%
(57 out of 272)
(57 out of 272)
- Wagner Ranch Elementary School
Rank: #36 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 88%) - Happy Valley Elementary School
Rank: #80 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 85% | Reading: 88%) - Glorietta Elementary School
Rank: #92 of 9,523 (Top 1%)
(Math: 87% | Reading: 86%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Contra Costa County, CA Schools
Rank: #66.
20%
(84 out of 416)
(84 out of 416)
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
