Hyde House · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Visalia’s public schools outscore 55% of California districts
The grade covers the three public school districts serving Visalia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Visalia’s districts is 24%, 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.
Visalia’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Visalia Unified spends $18,939 per student and Tulare Joint Union High $19,872, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
23 elementary schools, then eight middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Crescent Valley Public Charter II, Valley Life Charter, Charter Home School Academy, Visalia Charter Independent Study, Visalia Technical Early College, Global Learning Charter, La Sierra High, University Preparatory High, Central Valley Christian Schools (private), The Catholic School of Visalia George McCann (private), Greenhouse Montessori School (private), Grace Christian School (private) and Visalia Montessori 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 Visalia’s grade
B: better than 55% of California school districts, #425 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 Visalia, with each school’s own grade.
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Visalia
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
Visalia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Visalia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Visalia | B | Visalia Unified K–12 · Tulare Joint Union High 9–12 · Hanford Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Visalia
48 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 (Tulare County Community).
Questions about Visalia’s schools
Are Visalia’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Visalia children attend outscore 55% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #425 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Visalia in?
Visalia Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 28,725 students in 41 schools (2024–25).
Where do Visalia kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Redwood High, Golden West High, El Diamante High and Mt. Whitney High.
What is Visalia’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Visalia Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Visalia spend per student?
$18,939 in Visalia Unified School District, $19,872 in Tulare Joint Union High School District and $16,994 in Hanford Joint Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Visalia?
Yes: Central Valley Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–12, 1,237 students), The Catholic School of Visalia George McCann (Catholic, grades PK–8, 219 students), Greenhouse Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 121 students), Grace Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 58 students) and Visalia Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades 1–6, 48 students). Visalia also has 8 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Visalia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Visalia → 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.