Bidwell Mansion · Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0Chico’s public schools outscore 73% of California districts
39% of students in Chico’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chico, 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.
Chico’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 452 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Chico’s, its schools beat 94%, higher than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,329 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences, Chico Country Day, CORE Butte Charter, Sherwood Montessori, Blue Oak Charter, Wildflower Open Classroom, Achieve Charter School of Chico, Notre Dame School (private) and Hope Academy for Personalized Education (private) are in town. Pivot Charter School North Valley II and Oak Bridge Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Chico’s grade
B+: better than 73% of California school districts, #219 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 Chico, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Bidwell Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Chico Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 861 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Bidwell Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Chico Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 861 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Bidwell Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 1,012 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Chico Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 861 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Pleasant Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,978 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Chico High
Grades 9–12 · 1,804 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Pleasant Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,978 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Chico High
Grades 9–12 · 1,804 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Pleasant Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,978 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Chico High
Grades 9–12 · 1,804 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Chico · depends on your address
Pleasant Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,978 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Chico High
Grades 9–12 · 1,804 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Chico’s public schools are run by Chico Unified School District. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Chico vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Chico’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chico | B+ | Chico Unified |
Every school in Chico
32 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: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Butte County ROP, Honey Run Academy Secondary, Butte County Community and Achieve Charter High).
Questions about Chico’s schools
Are Chico’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chico children attend outscore 73% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #219 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chico in?
Chico Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 12,260 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Chico kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Pleasant Valley High and Chico High.
What is Chico’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Chico Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Chico spend per student?
$17,329 in Chico Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Chico?
Yes: Notre Dame School (Catholic, grades K–8, 218 students) and Hope Academy for Personalized Education (religious, grades K–8, 62 students). Chico also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Chico families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chico → 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.