Photo: Jonnyboyca at English Wikipedia · Public domainBrea’s public schools outscore 82% of California districts
On the state math tests, 48% of Brea’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Brea, 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 96% 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.
Brea’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 48% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Fullerton Joint Union High spends $17,606 per student and Brea-Olinda Unified $16,554, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Angela Merici Parish School (private), Christ Lutheran School (private) and Future Minds Montessori (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 Brea’s grade
A−: better than 82% of California school districts, #152 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Brea, with each school’s own grade.
Brea runs its own schools through grade 12 (Brea-Olinda Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, shared with Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights and La Palma. Parts of Brea (5% and 2% of its land) are served by La Habra City Elementary and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Brea
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
Brea vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Brea’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Brea | A− | Brea-Olinda Unified K–12 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Yorba Linda | A− | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified |
| Fullerton | A− | Fullerton Elementary K–8 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
| La Habra | B+ | La Habra City Elementary K–8 · Lowell Joint Elementary K–8 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Placentia | A− | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Fullerton Joint Union High with Brea for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Brea
12 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Brea Online Academy).
Questions about Brea’s schools
Are Brea’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Brea children attend outscore 82% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #152 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Brea in?
Two districts: Brea-Olinda Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Fullerton Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights and La Palma.
Where do Brea kids go to high school?
Brea Olinda High, with 1,676 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Brea’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Fullerton Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Brea spend per student?
$17,606 in Fullerton Joint Union High School District and $16,554 in Brea-Olinda Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Brea?
Yes: St. Angela Merici Parish School (Catholic, grades K–8, 273 students), Christ Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 247 students) and Future Minds Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 36 students).
Parents talk
What Brea families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Brea → 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.