Best Public Schools in Upland, CA

The Upland Unified School District serves the city of Upland, California, with 14 public schools including 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools, ranking in the 62nd percentile among California districts.

Academic performance varies significantly across the district, with standout schools like Pepper Tree Elementary (89th percentile statewide) and Pioneer Junior High (84th percentile) demonstrating strong test scores and very low chronic absenteeism. In contrast, Hillside High and Upland Junior High face substantial challenges, ranking in the 8th and 24th percentiles respectively with much lower proficiency rates and higher absenteeism. The district's two high schools, Upland High and Hillside High, both excel in graduation rates, well above the state average.

Key findings show a wide middle school performance gap between Pioneer and Upland Junior High, and a notable disconnect where higher per-student spending does not guarantee better academic outcomes. The Upland Unified district as a whole performs well in keeping students in school and graduating them, but the internal disparities in test scores and attendance suggest families should look closely at individual school data when making decisions.