Best Public Schools in Redlands, CA

Redlands, California, is served by 24 public schools across multiple districts, including 10 elementary, 3 middle, 5 high, and 6 alternative schools, educating approximately 19,500 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

For parents, the educational landscape in Redlands shows distinct strengths and challenges. High schools are generally a strong point, with Redlands Senior High and Grove ranking in the state's top 10% and all comprehensive high schools boasting graduation rates well above the California average. However, performance varies significantly at the elementary level within the Redlands Unified district, where top-performing Mariposa Elementary contrasts with schools like Lugonia Elementary, which face greater academic challenges.

Notable alternatives include charter schools like the Sage Oak Charter District network, which report exceptionally low chronic absenteeism and very small class sizes, though they operate with lower per-student spending. A key takeaway is the strong link between attendance and success; schools with the lowest chronic absenteeism consistently show better outcomes. Parents should note that Orangewood High (Continuation) serves a unique at-risk population and its data is not comparable to traditional schools.