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City Hall for ImperialPhoto: JacobSA2019 · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Imperial · Central Union High School District, Imperial Unified School District

Imperial’s public schools outscore 68% of California districts

56% of students in Imperial’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Imperial, 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.

#267of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
56%
▲ 9 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 4 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
86%
▼ 0 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.3K
▼ 23% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Imperial Unified
Students per teacher
21.1
CA 21.6
Schools in town
8
4,766 students on the public path
In brief

Imperial’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 588 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Imperial’s, its schools beat 76%, higher than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 56% and math 30% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Central Union High spends $20,868 per student and Imperial Unified $16,288, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Faith Academy (private) and Valley Christian Heritage 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Imperial’s grade

B+ Test scoresC Graduation

B+: better than 68% of California school districts, #267 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (588)Better than 76%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,112 test results and a graduating class of 1,033 could put Imperial anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Imperial’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,115 in math, 3,109 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Imperial, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B−
6–8Frank M. Wright MiddleImperial Unified School DistrictB−
9–12Imperial HighImperial Unified School DistrictB

Imperial runs its own schools through grade 12 (Imperial Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Central Union High School District, shared with El Centro. Parts of Imperial (8% of its land) are served by El Centro Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Imperial

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Central Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 5 schools · 4,070 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 19.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$20,868CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Imperial Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 4,794 students, up 11% since 2020–21 · 22.4 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$16,288CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Central Union High School District63%
State average 46.7% · 831 students tested
Math · 9–12, Central Union High School District20%
State average 33.1% · 828 students tested
Reading · K–12, Imperial Unified School District53%
State average 46.7% · 2278 students tested
Math · K–12, Imperial Unified School District33%
State average 33.1% · 2287 students tested

Imperial vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Imperial’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ImperialB+Imperial Unified K–12 · Central Union High 9–12
El CentroCEl Centro Elementary K–8 · Central Union High 9–12

Every school in Imperial

8 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).

District schools in Imperialby address
Ben Hulse Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
838 students22:1Rate it →
Imperial Cross Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
760 students22:1Rate it →
T. L. Waggoner Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
613 students22:1Rate it →
Frank M. Wright Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
1,116 students23:1Rate it →
Imperial High
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,439 students23:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Imperial Ave. Holbrook High
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
28 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Faith Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
106 students15:1Rate it →
Valley Christian Heritage School
High · Grades 7–12
Private · Religious
8 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Imperial’s schools

Are Imperial’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Imperial children attend outscore 68% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #267 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Imperial in?

Two districts: Imperial Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Central Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with El Centro.

Where do Imperial kids go to high school?

Imperial High, with 1,439 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Imperial’s graduation rate?

86% of the class of 2023 in Central Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Imperial spend per student?

$20,868 in Central Union High School District and $16,288 in Imperial Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Imperial?

Yes: Faith Academy (religious, grades K–8, 106 students) and Valley Christian Heritage School (religious, grades 7–12, 8 students).

Parents talk

What Imperial families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Imperial → 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.