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 2025 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 4,656 students in South Pasadena Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in South Pasadena Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 78% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 81% (versus the 47% statewide average).
The top ranked public 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. South Pasadena Unified School District has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
5 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
4,656 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
189 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
25:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Pasadena Unified School District, which is ranked #32 of all 1,910 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
0.75
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
36%
12%
% Hispanic
23%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
23%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
17%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,449 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,395 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$81 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$95 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,449
$19,974
Spending / Student
$20,395
$18,396
Best South Pasadena Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
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 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 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 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
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 | 1,099 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #55.
South Pasadena Senior High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1401 Fremont Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5820
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5820
Gr: 9-12 | 1,494 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to South Pasadena Unified School District?
South Pasadena Unified School District manages 5 public schools serving 4,656 students.
What is the rank of South Pasadena Unified School District?
South Pasadena Unified School District is ranked #32 out of 1,910 school districts in California (top 5%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 5%), Highest math proficiency (Top 5%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%), Highest science proficiency (Top 5%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in South Pasadena Unified School District?
36% of South Pasadena Unified School District students are Asian, 23% of students are Hispanic, 23% of students are White, 17% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South Pasadena Unified School District?
South Pasadena Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 25:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.
What is South Pasadena Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $20,395 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.