Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency · Public domainLancaster’s public schools score below 76% of California districts on tests and graduation
16% of students in Lancaster’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Lancaster, 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.
Lancaster’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 562 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lancaster’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 24% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Antelope Valley Union Joint High spends $17,509 per student and Westside Union Elementary $14,593, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then eight middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Desert Sands Charter, iLEAD Lancaster Charter, Assurance Learning Academy, Academies of the Antelope Valley, Desert Christian Schools (private), Paraclete High School (private), Lancaster Baptist School (private), Sacred Heart Elementary School (private), Noah's Ark - Hope Chapel Christian Academy (private), Stanza International Academy (private), Antelope Valley Adventist School (private), Empowered Church International/ Learning Academy (private), Calvary Chapel Christian School (private) and Stanza International Academy (private) are in town. Mission Academy, Empower Generations and Lancaster Alternative and Virtual Academies, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Lancaster’s grade
C−: better than 24% of California school districts, #801 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lancaster, with each school’s own grade.
Parts of Lancaster (19% of its land) are served by Eastside Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Lancaster
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
Lancaster vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lancaster’s borders.
Every school in Lancaster
51 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: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Phoenix High Community Day, Eastside Academy/Transitional Learning Center, Rise and Early Learning). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Lancaster’s schools
Are Lancaster’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lancaster children attend score below 76% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #801 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lancaster in?
Antelope Valley Union Joint High School District, which runs grades 6–12 and enrolls 21,202 students in 13 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lancaster are served by Eastside Union Elementary.
Where do Lancaster kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Quartz Hill High, Lancaster High, Eastside High and Antelope Valley High.
What is Lancaster’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Antelope Valley Union Joint High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Lancaster spend per student?
$17,509 in Antelope Valley Union Joint High School District, $14,593 in Westside Union Elementary School District and $21,234 in Lancaster Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lancaster?
Yes: Desert Christian Schools (religious, grades K–12, 1,084 students), Paraclete High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 582 students), Lancaster Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 420 students), Sacred Heart Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 223 students), Noah's Ark - Hope Chapel Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–3, 80 students), Stanza International Academy (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 60 students), Antelope Valley Adventist School (religious, grades K–9, 53 students), Empowered Church International/ Learning Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 51 students), Calvary Chapel Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 27 students) and Stanza International Academy (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 13 students). Lancaster also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lancaster families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lancaster → 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.