Best Public Schools in Norco, CA

Norco, California, is served by nine public schools within the Corona-Norco Unified district, including five elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools, and one alternative K-12 school, collectively educating around 5,278 students.

The standout school in the area is John F. Kennedy High, which ranks in the top 3% of California high schools with a 99.4% graduation rate, zero dropouts, and exceptional test scores. In contrast, Riverview Elementary faces significant challenges, including the highest chronic absenteeism rate among traditional schools and the lowest test scores in the district, despite having the highest per-student spending. Highland Elementary is the top-performing elementary school, consistently ranking above average.

Overall, the district outperforms state averages in graduation rates and test scores. Key findings show that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as evidenced by the contrasting outcomes at JFK High and Riverview Elementary, and that chronic absenteeism is a strong indicator of academic performance. The middle school, Norco Intermediate, shows a typical dip in math proficiency, while the district's alternative school, Victress Bower School for Exceptional Students, serves a specialized population with significantly higher per-student costs.