Photo: Esun · CC BY 2.5Arcadia’s public schools outscore 87% of California districts
On the state math tests, 57% of Arcadia’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Arcadia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Arcadia’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 530 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Arcadia’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 87% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 57% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
El Monte Union High spends $23,420 per student and Arcadia Unified $17,761, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Angels School (private), Rio Hondo Prep (private), Rio Hondo Preparatory (private), Arroyo Pacific Academy (private), Barnhart School (private), Arcadia Christian School (private), Academicise Int. Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Excelsior School (private), All Seasons Childrens Learning Center (private), Arcadia Montessori School (private), Renaissance Academy (private) and Angela Preschool & Kindergarten (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Arcadia’s grade
A: better than 87% of California school districts, #99 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Arcadia, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Arcadia · depends on your address
First Avenue Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Richard Henry Dana Middle
Grades 6–8 · 710 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Foothills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 650 students · 23:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Arcadia · depends on your address
First Avenue Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Richard Henry Dana Middle
Grades 6–8 · 710 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Foothills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 650 students · 23:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Arcadia · depends on your address
First Avenue Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Richard Henry Dana Middle
Grades 6–8 · 710 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Foothills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 650 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Arcadia
Arcadia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,939 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Arcadia
Arcadia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,939 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Arcadia
Arcadia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,939 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Arcadia
Arcadia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,939 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arcadia runs its own schools through grade 12 (Arcadia Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the El Monte Union High School District, shared with Baldwin Park, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, Monrovia, Rosemead, San Gabriel, South El Monte and Temple City. Parts of Arcadia (4% of its land) are served by El Monte City instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Arcadia
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Arcadia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Arcadia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | A | Arcadia Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
| Monrovia | B+ | Monrovia Unified K–12 · Duarte Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
| Temple City | A− | Temple City Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
| Sierra Madre | B | Pasadena Unified |
| El Monte | C+ | El Monte City K–8 · Mountain View Elementary K–8 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
| Irwindale | B | Duarte Unified K–12 · Baldwin Park Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share El Monte Union High with Arcadia for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Arcadia
23 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Arcadia’s schools
Are Arcadia’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Arcadia children attend outscore 87% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #99 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Arcadia in?
Two districts: Arcadia Unified School District runs grades K–12, and El Monte Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Baldwin Park, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, Monrovia, Rosemead, San Gabriel, South El Monte and Temple City.
Where do Arcadia kids go to high school?
Arcadia High, with 2,939 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Arcadia’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in El Monte Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Arcadia spend per student?
$23,420 in El Monte Union High School District and $17,761 in Arcadia Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Arcadia?
Yes: Holy Angels School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 222 students), Rio Hondo Prep (religious, grades 7–12, 179 students), Rio Hondo Preparatory (religious, grades 7–12, 177 students), Arroyo Pacific Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 116 students), Barnhart School (religious, grades K–8, 103 students), Arcadia Christian School (religious, grades K–11, 87 students), Academicise Int. Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 81 students), Excelsior School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 80 students), All Seasons Childrens Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 72 students), Arcadia Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 68 students), Renaissance Academy (Catholic, grades 9–12, 11 students) and Angela Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Arcadia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Arcadia → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.