Photo: Wulfnoth of English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0Santa Rosa’s public schools score below 53% of California districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Santa Rosa’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Santa Rosa, 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 81% 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.
Santa Rosa’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 583 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Santa Rosa’s, its schools beat 32%, lower than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 81% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Charters enroll a large share of students
Charter schools located in Santa Rosa enroll 5,512 students, against the district’s 9,410. Each is graded on its own results; none is part of the district grade. Every school ↓
Four elementary schools, then five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Santa Rosa’s grade
B−: better than 47% of California school districts, #545 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 Santa Rosa, with each school’s own grade.
Santa Rosa’s public schools are run by Santa Rosa High School District. Parts of Santa Rosa (16%, 12%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 3%, 3% and 2% of its land) are served by Santa Rosa Elementary, Rincon Valley Union Elementary, Wright Elementary, West Sonoma County Union High, Bellevue Union, Piner-Olivet Union Elementary, Sebastopol Union Elementary and Bennett Valley Union Elementary 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.
Well below the state in reading
Santa Rosa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Santa Rosa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | B− | Santa Rosa High |
| Sebastopol | B | West Sonoma County Union High K–12 · Sebastopol Union Elementary K–8 |
Every school in Santa Rosa
55 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 (Lewis Early Learning Academy and Learning House).
Questions about Santa Rosa’s schools
Are Santa Rosa’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Santa Rosa children attend score below 53% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #545 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Santa Rosa in?
Santa Rosa High School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,410 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Santa Rosa are served by Santa Rosa Elementary, Rincon Valley Union Elementary, Wright Elementary, West Sonoma County Union High, Bellevue Union, Piner-Olivet Union Elementary, Sebastopol Union Elementary and Bennett Valley Union Elementary.
Where do Santa Rosa kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Maria Carrillo High, Santa Rosa High, Piner High, Montgomery High and Elsie Allen High.
What is Santa Rosa’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Santa Rosa High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
Are there private schools in Santa Rosa?
Yes: Sonoma Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 340 students), Grace Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 189 students), Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 175 students), St. Eugene's Cathedral School (Catholic, grades K–8, 87 students), Quest Forward High School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 62 students), College Oak Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades , 62 students), North Valley School (special education, grades 5–12, 33 students) and New Horizon School and Learning Center (special education, grades 7–12, 19 students). Santa Rosa also has 13 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Santa Rosa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Rosa → 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.