Arcadia has become one of the most sought-after cities in the San Gabriel Valley for families prioritizing education. The Arcadia Unified School District serves nearly 10,000 students across 10 schools, earning an A+ overall grade on Niche and placing in the top 1% of school districts nationwide for three consecutive years. For home buyers, that reputation comes with a price tag, but also a reliable return on investment.
Arcadia Unified School District at a Glance
Those proficiency numbers come from CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) results. For context, the statewide average is 34% for math and 47% for reading. Arcadia nearly doubles both benchmarks, placing the district's testing ranking at 10/10, which falls in the top 5% of all public schools in California.
The district earned an A or A+ from Niche in every major category: Academics, College Prep, Teachers, Administration, Clubs and Activities, and Resources and Facilities. Two elementary schools, Camino Grove and Longley Way, were named 2025 California Distinguished Schools.
Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)
All six Arcadia Unified elementary schools rank in the top 2% of nearly 1,300 public elementary schools analyzed statewide. Every campus scored between 8/10 and 10/10 on GreatSchools.
Highland Oaks Elementary School
Ranked 269th out of 5,857 California elementary schools. Highland Oaks sits in the Upper Rancho area of Arcadia, one of the most desirable residential pockets in the city. The school runs a strong GATE program and benefits from an engaged parent community.
Camino Grove Elementary School
Ranked 291st out of 5,857 California elementary schools. Camino Grove earned the 2025 California Distinguished School designation, recognizing its sustained academic performance and school culture. The campus is known for strong parent involvement and extracurricular enrichment offerings.
Baldwin Stocker Elementary School
Baldwin Stocker serves families in the central Rancho neighborhood of Arcadia. The school carries a strong academic reputation, and its attendance zone is among the most popular with home buyers. Boundaries here can bisect a single block, so verifying your exact assignment before purchasing is critical.
Hugo Reid Elementary School
Located in the eastern part of Arcadia, Hugo Reid serves one of the higher-priced residential zones. Homes in the Hugo Reid boundary typically list between $1.8M and $2.5M. The school is named after Hugo Reid, the Scottish-born ranchero who once owned the Rancho Santa Anita land grant that became modern-day Arcadia.
Longley Way Elementary School
Longley Way earned the 2025 California Distinguished School award alongside Camino Grove. The school draws families from central and southern Arcadia neighborhoods and is well-regarded for its collaborative teaching approach and parent-led enrichment programs.
Holly Avenue Elementary School
Holly Avenue serves the southwest portion of Arcadia, where home prices are more accessible, typically ranging from $1.1M to $1.4M. Families looking for Arcadia Unified schools at a lower price point often target this attendance zone while still getting a top-rated education.
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Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)
All three Arcadia Unified middle schools rank in the top 1% of the nearly 500 middle schools in Los Angeles County. Each holds an A+ grade on Niche.
Foothills Middle School
Foothills draws from the northern and central parts of Arcadia. The school posts the highest math proficiency rate among the three middle schools at 71%. Students have access to honors-level coursework that prepares them for AP classes at Arcadia High.
First Avenue Middle School
First Avenue leads the district's middle schools in reading proficiency at 76%. The school is located in central Arcadia and feeds into Arcadia High School. With 707 students, it is the largest of the three middle schools.
Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Dana Middle School holds a perfect 5-star average review rating on Niche, the highest among the three middle schools. The campus serves the eastern residential areas of Arcadia and offers a full slate of electives alongside its core academic program.
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Arcadia High School
Arcadia High School is the sole comprehensive high school in the district, serving all Arcadia Unified students. U.S. News & World Report ranks it 86th in California. Niche places it in the top 1% of public high schools nationwide. The school has maintained a 98% graduation rate over five consecutive school years.
AP Program and Course Offerings
Arcadia High offers 22 Advanced Placement courses spanning every major subject area: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Comparative Government, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Human Geography, Japanese Language and Culture, Music Theory, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Spanish Language and Culture, Statistics, U.S. Government and Politics, and U.S. History.
The AP participation rate sits at 64%. Over 80% of the Class of 2024 enrolled in at least one Honors or AP course during their high school career, with the average student completing five AP or Honors courses before graduation.
College Placement (Class of 2024)
The Class of 2024 demonstrated strong outcomes. A total of 434 students enrolled at four-year colleges, while 281 chose two-year institutions. Notable acceptances included 59 students admitted to UC Berkeley and 33 students admitted to UCLA. Arcadia High sends students to UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC at rates that rival many private schools in the region.
CAASPP Test Performance
For the 2023-2024 school year, 67.86% of Arcadia High juniors met or exceeded the ELA standard (41.10% exceeded, 26.76% met). In math, 61.11% met or exceeded the standard (38.02% exceeded, 23.09% met). Students performed strongest in writing, where 42.77% scored above standard.
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program
Arcadia Unified operates a GATE program funded through a California Department of Education grant. The identification process runs annually and includes teacher referrals in April and May, standardized test data analysis, student work samples, and review by the AUSD selection committee in August. Principals conference with the committee before final selections are made.
At the elementary level, GATE uses a two-fold approach: differentiated instruction within the regular classroom and supplemental enrichment programs offered before or after school. Each campus has a designated GATE site facilitator. Parents can participate through AUSD-sponsored forums, GATE Advisory Council meetings, and organizations like the National Association for Gifted Children and the California Association for the Gifted.
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How School Boundaries Affect Home Buying in Arcadia
School attendance boundaries play a major role in Arcadia real estate pricing. The entire city feeds into Arcadia Unified, so every home buyer gets access to the district's top-ranked schools. However, which elementary school your child attends depends on your street address, and the price gap between zones is significant.
In southwest Arcadia, including parts of the Holly Avenue Elementary zone, a 3-bedroom home typically costs between $1.1M and $1.4M. Cross into the Hugo Reid or Highland Oaks zones in the Rancho area, and the same square footage can run $1.8M to $2.5M or higher. That is a $700K to $1.1M spread for homes within the same school district.
The critical detail: attendance boundaries can bisect a single block. Two houses on the same street may feed to different elementary schools. Before making an offer, verify the exact school assignment through the Arcadia Unified School District office or use the district's online boundary lookup tool.
The median home price across all of Arcadia sits near $1.8 million as of early 2026, up roughly 17% year-over-year. Even the most affordable pockets of Arcadia still provide access to a district that outperforms 95% of California schools, making southwest Arcadia one of the strongest value plays in the San Gabriel Valley for education-focused families.
Need help verifying which school zone a specific property falls in? I work with Arcadia families every week and can pull boundary details for any address.
How Arcadia Compares to Nearby School Districts
Arcadia is not the only strong school district in the San Gabriel Valley. Here is how it stacks up against the closest competitors.
| District | Niche Rank (LA Area) | Math Proficiency | Reading Proficiency | Niche Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marino USD | #2 | 87% | 88% | A+ |
| Arcadia USD | #6 | 68% | 75% | A+ |
| South Pasadena USD | Top 10 | ~70% | ~78% | A+ |
| Temple City USD | Top 15 | 64% | 71% | A |
San Marino: Higher Scores, Higher Prices
San Marino Unified ranks #2 in the LA area with 87% math and 88% reading proficiency. Every school in the district scores 9 or 10 on GreatSchools, and Huntington Middle School and San Marino High consistently place in the top 2% statewide for college readiness. The trade-off is price. San Marino's median home cost is roughly $500K to $1M more than comparable Arcadia homes, and the housing stock is older with fewer recent upgrades. Arcadia offers newer facilities, a larger campus at the high school level, and competitive academics at a more accessible price point.
South Pasadena: Small-Town Feel, Strong Track Record
South Pasadena Unified earns an A+ from Niche with 4,651 students across five schools. The district has a small-town reputation with a walkable downtown, but home prices remain elevated. For families who want strong academics with more inventory and newer construction, Arcadia often presents better options.
Temple City: The Value Alternative
Temple City Unified earns an A from Niche with 64% math and 71% reading proficiency across 9 schools. The big draw is affordability: Temple City's median home price hovers between $1.1M and $1.25M, roughly $500K to $1M less than Arcadia. Families who want strong academics without stretching to $1.8M+ often choose Temple City as a practical alternative.
Private School Alternatives in Arcadia
While Arcadia's public schools draw most families, several private options serve the area for parents seeking smaller class sizes, religious instruction, or specialized curricula.
Barnhart School (PreK-8)
Barnhart serves 185 students in a small, structured environment. The school ranks in the top 20% of California private schools on Private School Review. Its central Arcadia location on Colorado Blvd makes it accessible from most parts of the city.
Holy Angels School (PreK-8)
Holy Angels is a Catholic school that has served the San Gabriel Valley for over 80 years. The school enrolls 229 students with a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and offers 13 sports programs. Families seeking faith-based education with competitive academics often choose Holy Angels as a PreK through 8th grade pathway.
Excelsior School (Grades 8-12)
Excelsior is a private boarding school rated A+ overall on Niche and ranked #17 among California boarding schools. The school earned A+ grades in Academics, College Prep, and Clubs and Activities. With its small enrollment and boarding option, Excelsior attracts both local families and international students.
The average acceptance rate across Arcadia's private schools is 66%, compared to the statewide private school average of 80%. Demand for these programs remains strong given the area's education-focused culture.
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Justin Borges
Team Lead, The Borges Real Estate Team
DRE #01940318
With over 13 years in Southern California real estate, Justin specializes in probate sales, trust properties, and character homes. His expertise in 1031 exchanges and historic preservation has helped hundreds of clients navigate complex real estate transactions.
