Best Public Schools in Simi Valley, CA

Simi Valley, California, is home to 40 schools serving grades K-12, including a high-performing traditional district and a significant cluster of statewide virtual charter schools.

The Simi Valley Unified district operates the area's standout traditional schools, with Santa Susana High and Vista Elementary consistently achieving top academic rankings and high graduation rates. In contrast, some traditional schools like Apollo High and Berylwood Elementary face significant challenges, with much lower test scores and higher student need, despite often receiving more resources per student.

Alongside the traditional district, numerous virtual schools, such as those in the California Virtual Academy @ Los Angeles District and the Insight School of California District, operate from Simi Valley but serve students across the state; these schools show highly variable performance, with generally lower test scores and graduation rates compared to the top traditional schools, despite reporting lower chronic absenteeism. The data shows a clear link between economic disadvantage and academic struggle across both school types, creating a two-track system within the city.