East Pasadena’s public schools outscore 58% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving East Pasadena, 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 95% 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.
East Pasadena’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 543 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of East Pasadena’s, its schools beat 51%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,911 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
14 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 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.
What’s behind East Pasadena’s grade
B: better than 58% of California school districts, #374 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve East Pasadena, with each school’s own grade.
East Pasadena’s public schools are run by Pasadena Unified School District, which also serves Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Parts of East Pasadena (16% of its land) are served by San Marino Unified instead. 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.
Below the state in reading
East Pasadena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share East Pasadena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| East Pasadena | B | Pasadena Unified |
| Pasadena | B | Pasadena Unified |
| Arcadia | A | Arcadia Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
Every school in East Pasadena
21 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 East Pasadena’s schools
Are East Pasadena’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools East Pasadena children attend outscore 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #374 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 51%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is East Pasadena in?
Pasadena Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 13,639 students in 23 schools (2024–25). Small parts of East Pasadena are served by San Marino Unified.
Where do East Pasadena kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Marshall Fundamental, Pasadena High, John Muir High and Blair High.
What is East Pasadena’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Pasadena Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does East Pasadena spend per student?
$24,911 in Pasadena Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What East Pasadena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near East Pasadena → 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.