South Pasadena Unified School District

1100 El Centro St.
South Pasadena, CA 91030-3118
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 5%

Top Rankings

South Pasadena Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 1,099 students in South Pasadena Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle School in South Pasadena Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 46% statewide average).
The top ranked public middle school in South Pasadena Unified School District is South Pasadena Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
5 Schools
3,501 Schools
# Students
4,656 Students
1,854,363 Students
# Teachers
189 Teachers
87,821 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
25:1
25:1

District Rank

South Pasadena Unified School District, which is ranked #35 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 98% has increased from 92% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#38 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 5%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of South Pasadena Unified  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
75%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of South Pasadena Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
80%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Pasadena Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
61%
29%
98%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of South Pasadena Unified  School District and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.75
0.64
# American Indian Students
2 Students
9,887 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,650 Students
201,760 Students
% Asian Students
36%
11%
# Hispanic Students
1,042 Students
1,009,980 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
55%
# Black Students
56 Students
97,908 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
1,087 Students
413,325 Students
% White Students
23%
22%
# Hawaiian Students
4 Students
7,600 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
801 Students
109,003 Students
% of Two or more races Students
17%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
382
90,358
# Students in 1st Grade:
300
70,728
# Students in 2nd Grade:
317
73,359
# Students in 3rd Grade:
337
73,090
# Students in 4th Grade:
373
76,068
# Students in 5th Grade:
354
82,191
# Students in 6th Grade:
360
289,122
# Students in 7th Grade:
352
439,549
# Students in 8th Grade:
387
441,705
# Students in 9th Grade:
373
59,696
# Students in 10th Grade:
408
51,846
# Students in 11th Grade:
380
51,149
# Students in 12th Grade:
333
55,419
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,449 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,395 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$81 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart displays total revenue of South Pasadena Unified  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$95 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart displays total spending of South Pasadena Unified  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$17,449
$19,974
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in South Pasadena Unified  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$20,395
$18,396
This chart displays average spending per public school student in South Pasadena Unified  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best South Pasadena Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
South Pasadena Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1500 Fair Oaks
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-5830
Grades: 6-8
| 1,099 students

Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 5 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 4,656 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 25:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 77%
  • : 98% (Top 1% in CA)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 75% (Top 5%)
  • : 80% (Top 5%)
  • : 61% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links