Photo: Jordan W. · CC BY-SA 3.0Fontana’s public schools outscore 50% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Fontana, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 21% of students in Fontana’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). 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 97% 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.
Fontana’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 569 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fontana’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Chaffey Joint Union High spends $18,582 per student and Fontana Unified $20,036, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Options for Youth-Acton, Entrepreneur High Fontana, Allegiance STEAM Academy - Thrive Fontana, Water of Life Christian School (private), Resurrection Academy (private), Kiddie Academy of Fontana (private), St. Marys Montessori School-Fontana (private), Mountain View Christian Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Montessori Child Development Center (private) and Stoneridge Preparatory School (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 Fontana’s grade
B−: better than 50% of California school districts, #484 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fontana, with each school’s own grade.
Fontana runs its own schools through grade 12 (Fontana Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, shared with Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland. Parts of Fontana (16%, 12%, 3% and 2% of its land) are served by Etiwanda Elementary, Colton Joint Unified, Cucamonga Elementary and Rialto Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Fontana
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Fontana vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Fontana’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Fontana | B− | Fontana Unified K–12 · Chaffey Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | A | Etiwanda Elementary K–8 · Alta Loma Elementary K–8 · Chaffey Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Rialto | C+ | Rialto Unified |
| Jurupa Valley | C+ | Jurupa Unified |
| Ontario | B− | Ontario-Montclair K–8 · Mountain View Elementary K–8 · Cucamonga Elementary K–8 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Chaffey Joint Union High with Fontana for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Fontana
57 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 Fontana’s schools
Are Fontana’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Fontana children attend outscore 50% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #484 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Fontana in?
Two districts: Fontana Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Chaffey Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.
Where do Fontana kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Summit High, Fontana High, Fontana A. B. Miller High, Jurupa Hills High and Henry J. Kaiser High.
What is Fontana’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Chaffey Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Fontana spend per student?
$18,582 in Chaffey Joint Union High School District and $20,036 in Fontana Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Fontana?
Yes: Water of Life Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 252 students), Resurrection Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 160 students), Kiddie Academy of Fontana (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 144 students), St. Marys Montessori School-Fontana (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 139 students), Mountain View Christian Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 81 students), Montessori Child Development Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 72 students) and Stoneridge Preparatory School (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 10 students). Fontana also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Fontana families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fontana → 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.