Photo: Trackinfo · CC BY-SA 3.0Pico Rivera’s public schools outscore 62% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Pico Rivera, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Pico Rivera, 26% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). 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.
Pico Rivera’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 593 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pico Rivera’s, its schools beat 68%, higher than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 26% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Whittier Union High spends $23,421 per student and El Rancho Unified $20,311, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Armenian Mesrobian School (private), St. Marianne School (private) and Cumorah Kids (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 Pico Rivera’s grade
B: better than 62% of California school districts, #341 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Pico Rivera, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Pico Rivera · depends on your address
Rivera Middle
Grades 6–8 · 544 students · 22:1 students per teacher
STEAM Academy @ Burke
Grades 6–8 · 534 students · 23:1 students per teacher
North Park Academy of the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pico Rivera · depends on your address
Rivera Middle
Grades 6–8 · 544 students · 22:1 students per teacher
STEAM Academy @ Burke
Grades 6–8 · 534 students · 23:1 students per teacher
North Park Academy of the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pico Rivera · depends on your address
Rivera Middle
Grades 6–8 · 544 students · 22:1 students per teacher
STEAM Academy @ Burke
Grades 6–8 · 534 students · 23:1 students per teacher
North Park Academy of the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pico Rivera
El Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 1,995 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pico Rivera
El Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 1,995 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pico Rivera
El Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 1,995 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pico Rivera
El Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 1,995 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Pico Rivera runs its own schools through grade 12 (El Rancho Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Whittier Union High School District, shared with Downey, Industry, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. Parts of Pico Rivera (9% and 2% of its land) are served by Whittier City Elementary and El Monte Union High instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Pico Rivera
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Pico Rivera vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Pico Rivera’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pico Rivera | B | El Rancho Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Montebello | C | Montebello Unified |
| Industry | — | Hacienda La Puente Unified K–12 · Rowland Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Whittier | B+ | East Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Santa Fe Springs | B+ | Little Lake City Elementary K–8 · Los Nietos Elementary K–8 · Norwalk-La Mirada Unified K–12 |
| Downey | B+ | Downey Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Whittier Union High with Pico Rivera for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Pico Rivera
17 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Early Learning Program).
Questions about Pico Rivera’s schools
Are Pico Rivera’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Pico Rivera children attend outscore 62% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #341 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pico Rivera in?
Two districts: El Rancho Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Whittier Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Downey, Industry, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier.
Where do Pico Rivera kids go to high school?
El Rancho High, with 1,995 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Pico Rivera’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Whittier Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Pico Rivera spend per student?
$23,421 in Whittier Union High School District and $20,311 in El Rancho Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pico Rivera?
Yes: Armenian Mesrobian School (religious, grades PK–12, 273 students), St. Marianne School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 245 students) and Cumorah Kids (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 57 students).
Parents talk
What Pico Rivera families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pico Rivera → 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.