Photo: Telecineguy · CC BY-SA 3.0Sierra Madre’s public schools outscore 58% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Sierra Madre, 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.
Sierra Madre’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 348 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sierra Madre’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Alverno Heights Academy (private), St. Rita School (private), The Gooden School (private) and Bethany Christian 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 Sierra Madre’s grade
B: better than 58% of California school districts, #376 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 Sierra Madre, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Elementary
Grades K–5 · 652 students · 24:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Middle
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 24:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Middle
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Middle
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Sierra Madre’s public schools are run by Pasadena Unified School District, which also serves Pasadena. 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
Sierra Madre vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Sierra Madre’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Madre | B | Pasadena Unified |
| Arcadia | A | Arcadia Unified K–12 · El Monte Union High 9–12 |
| Pasadena | B | Pasadena Unified |
Every school in Sierra Madre
10 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 Sierra Madre’s schools
Are Sierra Madre’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Sierra Madre children attend outscore 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #376 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sierra Madre in?
Pasadena Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 13,639 students in 23 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sierra Madre kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Marshall Fundamental, Pasadena High, John Muir High and Blair High.
What is Sierra Madre’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 Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre?
Yes: Alverno Heights Academy (Catholic, grades K–8, 262 students), St. Rita School (Catholic, grades K–8, 193 students), The Gooden School (religious, grades K–8, 184 students) and Bethany Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 152 students).
Parents talk
What Sierra Madre families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sierra Madre → 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.