Top Rankings
South Pasadena Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 3,116 students in South Pasadena Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in South Pasadena Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 80% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 46% statewide average).
The top-ranked public elementary schools in South Pasadena Unified School District are Marengo Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Elementary School and South Pasadena Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
5 Schools
7,677 Schools
# Students
4,652 Students
3,817,118 Students
# Teachers
192 Teachers
173,969 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Pasadena Unified School District, which is ranked #32 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 97% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#34 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
78%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
80%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
29%
Graduation Rate
97%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
36%
12%
% Hispanic
23%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
23%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
17%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,464 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,413 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$81 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$95 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,464
$20,100
Spending / Student
$20,413
$18,511
Best South Pasadena Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Marengo Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1400 Marengo Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5850
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5850
Gr: K-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #22.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
335 El Centro St.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5840
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5840
Gr: K-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
South Pasadena Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1500 Fair Oaks
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5830
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5830
Gr: 6-8 | 1,096 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #44.
Monterey Hills Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1624 Via Del Rey
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5860
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5860
Gr: K-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
