These Are The Best Elementary Schools In CA: U.S. News Ranking

CALIFORNIA — William Faria Elementary in Cupertino is the best public elementary school in California, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News researchers based the 2025 ranking of the nation's best public elementary schools on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. Elementary schools are considered K-6 in the analysis.

The top 10 public elementary schools in California are:

1. William Faria Elementary, Cupertino
2. Murdock-Portal Elementary, San Jose
3. North Star Academy, Redwood City
4. Millikin Elementary, Santa Clara
5. White Oaks Elementary, San Carlos
6. Argonaut Elementary, Saratoga
7. Yu Ming Charter, Oakland
8. Ocean Air, San Diego
9. Bullis Charter, Los Altos
10. Solana Ranch Elementary, San Diego

The methodology for the rankings focused on state assessments of students who were proficient or above proficient in math and reading/language arts, while also accounting for students' background and their achievements in core subjects. Student-teacher ratios were applied to break ties.

The rankings are intended as an evaluation tool to inform parents on how well schools are doing at providing high-equality education and providing students for a successful future, LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release.