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Big Bear CityPhoto: Magi Media (originally uploaded on en.wikipedia.org by Magi Media; transferred to Commons by JaumeBG). · Public domain
B
Schools in Big Bear City · Bear Valley Unified School District

Big Bear City’s public schools outscore 55% of California districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Big Bear City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Big Bear City’s districts is 28%, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#425of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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.

Reading proficiency
43%
▼ 4 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 5 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 1–3 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.5K
▼ 13% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
21.3
CA 21.6
Schools in town
3
1,626 students on the public path
In brief

Big Bear City’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 494 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Big Bear City’s, its schools beat 68%, higher than their 55% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California (the state reports Big Bear City’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,483 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Big Bear City’s grade

B− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 55% of California school districts, #425 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 55%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (494)Better than 68%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,096 test results and a graduating class of 185 could put Big Bear City anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Big Bear City’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,094 in math, 1,099 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Bear City, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Baldwin Lane ElementaryBear Valley Unified School DistrictB−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to A
9–12Big Bear HighBear Valley Unified School DistrictA−

Big Bear City’s public schools are run by Bear Valley Unified School District, which also serves Big Bear Lake. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Bear Valley Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 2,176 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 21.3 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,483CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading43%
State average 46.7% · 1099 students tested
Math28%
State average 33.1% · 1094 students tested

Big Bear City vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Big Bear City’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Big Bear CityBBear Valley Unified
Big Bear LakeBBear Valley Unified

Every school in Big Bear City

5 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).

District schools in Big Bear Cityby address
Baldwin Lane Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
445 students24:1Rate it →
Big Bear High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
630 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Big Bear Cityin other towns
Fallsvale
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Forest Falls
A
62 students21:1Rate it →
Big Bear Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Big Bear Lake
C+
489 students21:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Chautauqua High (Continuation)
High · Grades 8–12
C−
Alternative Education
33 studentsRate it →

Questions about Big Bear City’s schools

Are Big Bear City’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Big Bear City children attend outscore 55% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #425 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Big Bear City in?

Bear Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,176 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Big Bear City kids go to high school?

Big Bear High, with 630 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Big Bear City’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Bear Valley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Big Bear City spend per student?

$18,483 in Bear Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Big Bear City families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Bear City → 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.