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WoodstreetcalPhoto: VitaleBaby at en.wikipedia · Public domain
B−
Schools in California · California Area School District

California’s public schools score below 53% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

In California, 24% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving California, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

#696of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% 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.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 3 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 12 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.7K
▼ 28% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.9
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
933 students on the public path
In brief

California’s schools, in brief

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 24% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,655 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is California Area MS, then California Area SHS. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

California Academy of Learning CS is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind California’s grade

C+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B−: better than 47% of Pennsylvania school districts, #696 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Graduation is above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are below it.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (835)Better than 46%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 424 test results and a graduating class of 76 could put California anywhere from C to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 89% of California’s students in the tested grades sat them (401 in math, 446 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve California, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6California Area El SchCalifornia Area School DistrictB−
7–8California Area MSCalifornia Area School DistrictB−
9–12California Area SHSCalifornia Area School DistrictA+

California’s public schools are run by California Area School District, which also serves Allenport, Coal Center, Elco and Long Branch and others. 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.

California Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 933 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 14.9 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$15,655PA $21,758 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 55.1% · 446 students tested
Math24%
State average 36.1% · 401 students tested

California vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share California’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CaliforniaB−California Area
West Pike RunB−California Area
West Brownsville—California Area K–12 · Brownsville Area K–12
CentervilleCBethlehem-Center
Coal Center—California Area
JeffersonB−Frazier
Newell—Frazier
Long Branch—California Area
FallowfieldCCharleroi
Elco—California Area

5 of the 9 neighbors share California Area with California, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in California

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Californiaby address
California Area El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Coal Center
B−
485 students15:1Rate it →
California Area MS
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Coal Center
B−
158 students16:1Rate it →
California Area SHS
High · Grades 9–12 · Coal Center
A+
290 students14:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
California Academy of Learning CS
Grades K–10 · Coal Center
Charter
153 students12:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (California Area Intermediate MS).

Questions about California’s schools

Are California’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools California children attend score below 53% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #696 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 46%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is California in?

California Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 933 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do California kids go to high school?

California Area SHS in Coal Center, with 290 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is California’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in California Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does California spend per student?

$15,655 in California Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What California families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near California → 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 Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.