Best Public Schools in Ukiah, CA

Ukiah, California, is served by 17 public schools across four main districts, educating approximately 5,600 students from elementary through high school, including traditional, charter, and alternative education models.

Parents will find significant differences in school performance. Charter schools like River Oak Charter, Redwood Collegiate Academy, and Tree of Life Charter consistently rank higher and show particular strength in science, with Tree of Life achieving over 90% proficiency. Within the larger Ukiah Unified district, Frank Zeek Elementary is a standout for its high ranking and solid test scores, while Oak Manor Elementary and Calpella Elementary face considerable academic challenges.

Key factors to consider include chronic absenteeism, which is much lower at top-performing schools, and a notable disconnect where higher per-student spending does not guarantee better outcomes. The sole traditional middle school, Pomolita Middle, shows middling performance, indicating potential transition challenges. Alternative schools present a stark contrast, from the high-achieving Redwood Collegiate Academy to South Valley High (Continuation), which struggles with very low rankings and high absenteeism.