Palmdale’s public schools score below 75% of California districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Palmdale’s districts is 16%, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Palmdale, 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 98% 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.
Palmdale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 560 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Palmdale’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 25% 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; 98% 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 Palmdale Elementary $19,891, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
21 elementary schools, then eight middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Antelope Valley Learning Academy, Palmdale Aerospace Academy, Palmdale Academy Charter, St. Mary's Catholic School (private), Crosswind Comm Church-Adventureland Preschool (private) and Palmdale United Methodist Preschool-Kindergarten (private) are in town. Innovations Academy of Palmdale, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Palmdale’s grade
C: better than 25% of California school districts, #792 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 Palmdale, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Palmdale · depends on your address
Highland High
Grades 9–12 · 2,706 students · 25:1 students per teacher
William J. (Pete) Knight High
Grades 9–12 · 2,349 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Palmdale High
Grades 9–12 · 2,208 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Palmdale · depends on your address
Highland High
Grades 9–12 · 2,706 students · 25:1 students per teacher
William J. (Pete) Knight High
Grades 9–12 · 2,349 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Palmdale High
Grades 9–12 · 2,208 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Parts of Palmdale (14%, 12%, 4% and 3% of its land) are served by Eastside Union Elementary, Keppel Union Elementary, Acton-Agua Dulce Unified and Lancaster Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Palmdale
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
Palmdale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Palmdale’s borders.
Every school in Palmdale
41 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Antelope Valley ROP and Academy Of Creative Technologies - Antelope Valley).
Questions about Palmdale’s schools
Are Palmdale’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Palmdale children attend score below 75% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #792 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Palmdale 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 Palmdale are served by Eastside Union Elementary, Keppel Union Elementary, Acton-Agua Dulce Unified and Lancaster Elementary.
Where do Palmdale kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Highland High, William J. (Pete) Knight High and Palmdale High.
What is Palmdale’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 Palmdale spend per student?
$17,509 in Antelope Valley Union Joint High School District, $19,891 in Palmdale Elementary School District and $14,593 in Westside Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Palmdale?
Yes: St. Mary's Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 261 students), Crosswind Comm Church-Adventureland Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 60 students) and Palmdale United Methodist Preschool-Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 49 students). Palmdale also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Palmdale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Palmdale → 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.