Photo: Wehwalt · CC BY-SA 3.0South Pasadena’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts
On the state math tests, 75% of South Pasadena’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving South 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 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.
South Pasadena’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 80% and math 75% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,524 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is South Pasadena Middle, then South Pasadena Senior High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Family Catholic School (private), Almansor Academy (Institute for Redesign of Learni (private) and Irl - Westmoreland Academy (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 South Pasadena’s grade
A+: better than 95% of California school districts, #29 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve South Pasadena, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
4th grade in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
5th grade in South Pasadena · depends on your address
Marengo Elementary
Grades K–5 · 783 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Elementary
Grades K–5 · 667 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Monterey Hills Elementary
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 22:1 students per teacher
6th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,096 students · 24:1 students per teacher
7th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,096 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,096 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in South Pasadena
South Pasadena Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 24:1 students per teacher
South Pasadena’s public schools are run by South Pasadena Unified School District. 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 above the state in reading
South Pasadena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share South Pasadena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena | A+ | South Pasadena Unified |
| Los Angeles | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Pasadena | B | Pasadena Unified |
| San Marino | A+ | San Marino Unified |
| Alhambra | A− | Alhambra Unified |
Every school in South Pasadena
8 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 South Pasadena’s schools
Are South Pasadena’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools South Pasadena children attend outscore 95% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #29 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Pasadena in?
South Pasadena Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,652 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Pasadena kids go to high school?
South Pasadena Senior High, with 1,536 students.
What is South Pasadena’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in South Pasadena Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does South Pasadena spend per student?
$16,524 in South Pasadena Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in South Pasadena?
Yes: Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 315 students), Almansor Academy (Institute for Redesign of Learni (special education, grades 1–12, 131 students) and Irl - Westmoreland Academy (special education, grades 1–12, 63 students).
Parents talk
What South Pasadena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South 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.