Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5Pasadena’s public schools outscore 58% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Pasadena, 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.
Pasadena’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,911 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then four middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Learning Works, Odyssey Charter, Pasadena Rosebud Academy, Aveson School of Leaders, Aveson Global Leadership Academy, Alma Fuerte Public, Options For Youth - Duarte Inc, Polytechnic School (private), La Salle College Preparatory (private), St. Philip the Apostle School (private), Maranatha High School (private), Mayfield Junior School (private), Pasadena Christian School (private), Chandler School (private), Sequoyah (private), The Waverly School (private), Mayfield Senior School (private), St. Gregorys A & M Hovsepian School (private), Ef Academy (private), Ef Academy Pasadena (private), Walden School (private), Sequoyah School (High School Campus) (private), New Horizon School Pasadena (private), Assumption of the BVM Elementary School (private), Marianne Frostig Center of Educational Therapy (private), International Montessori Academy (private), Tabernacle of David Christian Academy (TDCA) (private), Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Armenian Preschool & KDGN (private), Oak Knoll Montessori School, Site A (private), Villa Esperanza Services (private), Enchanted Castle Pasadena Montessori School (private), Friends Western School (private), Harriet Tubman Preschool & Elementary (private) and Our School (private) are in town. CIS Academy, 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 Pasadena’s grade
B: better than 58% of California school districts, #374 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 Pasadena, with each school’s own grade.
Pasadena’s public schools are run by Pasadena Unified School District, which also serves Sierra Madre. Parts of Pasadena (4% of its land) are served by La Cañada Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Pasadena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Pasadena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | B | Pasadena Unified |
| La Cañada Flintridge | A+ | La Cañada Unified |
| Los Angeles | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| San Marino | A+ | San Marino Unified |
| South Pasadena | A+ | South Pasadena Unified |
| Glendale | A− | Glendale Unified |
| Sierra Madre | B | Pasadena Unified |
Every school in Pasadena
52 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 Pasadena’s schools
Are Pasadena’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Pasadena children attend outscore 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #374 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pasadena in?
Pasadena Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 13,639 students in 23 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Pasadena are served by La Cañada Unified.
What is Pasadena’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Pasadena Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Pasadena spend per student?
$24,911 in Pasadena Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pasadena?
Yes: Polytechnic School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 874 students), La Salle College Preparatory (Catholic, grades 9–12, 669 students), St. Philip the Apostle School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 570 students), Maranatha High School (religious, grades 9–12, 550 students), Mayfield Junior School (Catholic, grades K–8, 534 students), Pasadena Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 509 students), Chandler School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 443 students), Sequoyah (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 437 students), The Waverly School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 322 students), Mayfield Senior School (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 311 students), St. Gregorys A & M Hovsepian School (religious, grades PK–8, 239 students), Ef Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 219 students), Ef Academy Pasadena (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 200 students), Walden School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 194 students), Sequoyah School (High School Campus) (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 181 students), New Horizon School Pasadena (religious, grades K–8, 179 students), Assumption of the BVM Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 131 students), Marianne Frostig Center of Educational Therapy (special education, grades 2–12, 123 students), International Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 82 students), Tabernacle of David Christian Academy (TDCA) (religious, grades PK–5, 72 students), Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Armenian Preschool & KDGN (religious, grades PK–K, 69 students), Oak Knoll Montessori School, Site A (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 63 students), Villa Esperanza Services (special education, grades 3–12, 41 students), Enchanted Castle Pasadena Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 41 students), Friends Western School (religious, grades K–5, 39 students), Harriet Tubman Preschool & Elementary (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 18 students) and Our School (nonsectarian, grades K, 3 students). Pasadena also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Pasadena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pasadena → 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.