Photo: Coolcaesar at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Cupertino’s public schools outscore almost every California district
On the state math tests, 82% of Cupertino’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Cupertino, 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.
Cupertino’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 84% and math 82% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Fremont Union High spends $24,927 per student and Cupertino Union Elementary $18,329, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Tessellations (private), Legend College Preparatory (private), Fusion Academy Cupertino (private), St. Joseph of Cupertino Elementary School (private) and Mandarin Academy (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 Cupertino’s grade
A+: better than 99% of California school districts, #2 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 Cupertino, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Cupertino · depends on your address
John F. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 880 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sam H. Lawson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Warren E. Hyde Middle
Grades 6–8 · 800 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Cupertino · depends on your address
John F. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 880 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sam H. Lawson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Warren E. Hyde Middle
Grades 6–8 · 800 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Cupertino · depends on your address
John F. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 880 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sam H. Lawson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Warren E. Hyde Middle
Grades 6–8 · 800 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Cupertino · depends on your address
Homestead High
Grades 9–12 · 2,224 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Cupertino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,800 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monta Vista High
Grades 9–12 · 1,630 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Cupertino · depends on your address
Homestead High
Grades 9–12 · 2,224 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Cupertino High
Grades 9–12 · 1,800 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monta Vista High
Grades 9–12 · 1,630 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Cupertino runs its own schools through grade 8 (Cupertino Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Fremont Union High School District, shared with Los Altos, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Cupertino
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
Cupertino vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Cupertino’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cupertino | A+ | Cupertino Union Elementary K–8 · Fremont Union High 9–12 |
| San Jose | B+ | San Jose Unified K–12 · East Side Union High 9–12 |
| Sunnyvale | A | Sunnyvale Elementary K–8 · Fremont Union High 9–12 |
| Los Altos | A+ | Los Altos Elementary K–8 · Cupertino Union Elementary K–8 · Mountain View-Los Altos Union 9–12 |
| Saratoga | A+ | Saratoga Union Elementary K–8 · Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union 9–12 |
| Santa Clara | A− | Santa Clara Unified K–12 · Fremont Union High 9–12 · Campbell Union High 9–12 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Fremont Union High with Cupertino for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Cupertino
18 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 Cupertino’s schools
Are Cupertino’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Cupertino children attend outscore 99% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #2 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cupertino in?
Two districts: Cupertino Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Fremont Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Los Altos, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
Where do Cupertino kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Homestead High, Cupertino High and Monta Vista High.
What is Cupertino’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Fremont Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Cupertino spend per student?
$24,927 in Fremont Union High School District and $18,329 in Cupertino Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cupertino?
Yes: Tessellations (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 189 students), Legend College Preparatory (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 96 students), Fusion Academy Cupertino (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 58 students), St. Joseph of Cupertino Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 53 students) and Mandarin Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–3, 9 students).
Parents talk
What Cupertino families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cupertino → 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.