Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0Davis’s public schools outscore 89% of California districts
On the state math tests, 61% of Davis’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Davis, 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 91% 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.
Davis’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 590 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Davis’s, its schools beat 99%, higher than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 69% and math 61% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,421 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Da Vinci Charter Academy, St. James School (private), Davis Waldorf School (private), Peregrine School (private) and Tender Learning Care (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 Davis’s grade
A: better than 89% of California school districts, #77 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 Davis, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Davis · depends on your address
Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 588 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 524 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Davis · depends on your address
Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 588 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 524 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Davis · depends on your address
Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 588 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 524 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Davis
Davis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,755 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Davis
Davis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,755 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Davis
Davis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,755 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Davis’s public schools are run by Davis Joint 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
Davis vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Davis’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Davis | A | Davis Joint Unified |
Every school in Davis
19 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 (Davis Special Education Pre-School).
Questions about Davis’s schools
Are Davis’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Davis children attend outscore 89% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #77 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Davis in?
Davis Joint Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 8,241 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do Davis kids go to high school?
Davis Senior High, with 1,755 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Davis’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Davis Joint Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Davis spend per student?
$17,421 in Davis Joint Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Davis?
Yes: St. James School (Catholic, grades K–8, 299 students), Davis Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 209 students), Peregrine School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 195 students) and Tender Learning Care (nonsectarian, grades K, 1 students). Davis also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Davis families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Davis → 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.