North Highlands’s public schools score below 51% of California districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in North Highlands’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving North Highlands, 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.
North Highlands’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 438 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of North Highlands’s, its schools beat 61%, higher than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Twin Rivers Unified spends $20,757 per student and San Juan Unified $17,376, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Creative Connections Arts Academy, Trinity Christian School (private) and Sacramento Baptist 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 North Highlands’s grade
B−: better than 49% of California school districts, #516 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 North Highlands, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in North Highlands
Highlands High
Grades 9–12 · 778 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in North Highlands
Highlands High
Grades 9–12 · 778 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in North Highlands
Highlands High
Grades 9–12 · 778 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in North Highlands
Highlands High
Grades 9–12 · 778 students · 19:1 students per teacher
North Highlands runs its own schools through grade 12 (Twin Rivers Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the San Juan Unified School District, shared with Citrus Heights. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve North Highlands
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
North Highlands vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share North Highlands’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| North Highlands | B− | Twin Rivers Unified K–12 · San Juan Unified K–12 |
| Sacramento | B− | Sacramento City Unified |
Every school in North Highlands
15 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 North Highlands’s schools
Are North Highlands’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools North Highlands children attend score below 51% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #516 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is North Highlands in?
Two districts: Twin Rivers Unified School District runs grades K–12, and San Juan Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Citrus Heights.
Where do North Highlands kids go to high school?
Highlands High, with 778 students.
What is North Highlands’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in San Juan Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does North Highlands spend per student?
$20,757 in Twin Rivers Unified School District and $17,376 in San Juan Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in North Highlands?
Yes: Trinity Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 291 students) and Sacramento Baptist School (religious, grades 3–12, 6 students). North Highlands also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What North Highlands families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near North Highlands → 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.